EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser

The EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser elevates your skin's defense with this gentle-yet-effective foaming cleanser clinically proven to strengthen the skin barrier in 7 days. As the first step in the Skin Recovery System, this cleanser sets the foundation for the entire barrier-repair protocol by removing impurities without stripping, supporting pH balance, and beginning AA Complex delivery from the start of your routine.

At Le Petit Spa in Charlotte, NC, we recommend this cleanser as the **non-negotiable first step** for clients in active barrier repair. Most cleansers, even ones marketed as 'gentle', strip the skin of its natural lipids and disrupt the moisture barrier. This cleanser does the opposite: it cleanses thoroughly while **actively rebuilding** the barrier with amino acid technology.

Key Benefits

• Clinically proven to strengthen skin barrier in 7 days
• AA Complex Technology begins barrier repair at the cleanser step
• Gentle foaming formula cleanses without stripping
• Ideal for sensitive, compromised, or reactive skin
• 5 oz size, generous everyday format
• Fragrance-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, dermatologist-tested

At a Glance

• Category: Cleansers
• Targets: Dryness & Dehydration, Sensitivity & Redness, Post-Treatment
• Skin Type: Sensitive Skin

Key Ingredients

• Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids & Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate: gentle amino-acid-derived cleansing agents that foam without stripping the skin's natural lipids
• Taurine, Arginine & Glycine (AA Complex amino acids): support the skin barrier even during the cleansing step
• Bisabolol: a calming, chamomile-derived ingredient that soothes reactive skin
• Lactobacillus Ferment & Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract: fermented actives that support a balanced, resilient skin microbiome

How to Use
Massage 1-2 pumps onto damp skin morning and evening. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry. Follow with EltaMD Skin Recovery Essence Toner and the rest of your routine, finishing with sunscreen in the morning.

Ingredient and usage information published by the manufacturer.

FAQ

Is this cleanser actually clinically proven to help the barrier?
Yes - EltaMD's clinical testing showed measurable skin barrier strengthening after 7 days of use.

Will it strip my skin like other foaming cleansers can?
No - it uses gentle amino-acid-derived cleansing agents instead of harsh sulfates, so it foams and cleanses thoroughly without disrupting the moisture barrier.

Is it appropriate for compromised or reactive skin?
Yes - it's specifically formulated for sensitive, compromised, and reactive skin as the foundation of the Skin Recovery System.

Is it sulfate-free?
Yes, it's formulated without sulfates, fragrance, or parabens.

Do I need to use the whole Skin Recovery System with this cleanser?
It works well on its own, but is designed to layer with the Skin Recovery Toner, serum, and moisturizer for maximum barrier-repair benefit.

How often should I use it?
Morning and evening as the first step of your routine.