Borghese Crema Saponetta Creamy Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
I tested the Borghese Crema Saponetta cleanser on sensitive skin. Here's what happened with the hyaluronic acid and sea salt formula.
Reviewed by
Seb and Michelle
We've tested over 6,500 products in the last 5 years – collaborating with over 4,000 brands and bringing our style of reviews to multiple platforms. More about me →
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I am no stranger to this company. I already use their mud mask, and my husband and I love how it smells. So when the Borghese Crema Saponetta creamy face wash showed up for me to try, I was hopeful, but also a little cautious. This is a creamy face wash for sensitive skin, and sensitive skin is exactly what I’ve got. The second I read “sea salt” on the ingredient list, my brain went straight to scrub, and scrub usually means my face turns hot and red before I’ve even rinsed.
Quick Verdict
No stinging, no burning, no red patches within seconds, and that’s the whole ballgame for my skin. The sea salt in the Borghese Crema Saponetta doesn’t scrub the way I braced for, and the hyaluronic acid formula smelled exactly like the brand’s mud mask I already love.
Buy if you:
- have dry or sensitive skin that reacts fast to new formulas
- already like a heavier, creamy cleanser texture over a foaming gel
- want a dual-use wash for both makeup removal and end-of-day grime
- already use other Borghese products and like their scent line
Skip if you:
- hate any grit or texture in a cleanser, even a mild one from sea salt
- need a foaming, squeaky-clean feel after washing
- have never patch-tested a new hyaluronic acid product before and don’t plan to
| Format | Creamy cleansing wash |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, sea salt |
| Skin type | Dry, sensitive skin |
| Recommended use | Morning and night |
The Sea Salt Line That Almost Scared Me Off
What’s Actually In the Jar
This is a creamy formula built around hyaluronic acid and sea salt, meant to be used morning and night. There’s a small tab sealed over the opening that I had to peel off before I could even get to the product, which is a nice touch if you’re worried about tampering, but easy to miss if you’re moving fast. The texture itself is thick and creamy, more like a balm than a gel, and it’s marketed for taking off makeup as well as general end-of-day cleansing after being outside.
Testing It On a Spot, Not My Whole Face
I applied it to a small patch on the side of my face first instead of going all in. That’s not overthinking it, that’s just what sensitive skin teaches you to do. I even tested it dry, without water, on purpose, because a lot of times my face will start to get hot, red, and itchy within seconds when a new formula doesn’t agree with me. I wanted to catch that reaction before it spread anywhere near my eyes.
Nothing happened. No heat, no redness, no itch. I could also feel for the sea salt with my fingers to check how gritty it actually was, and I couldn’t feel it as a scrub at all, which for my skin is a good thing. If you’re after this creamy face wash for sensitive skin specifically because you’re worried about exfoliating grit, that’s the detail that matters most.
The Scent Match I Didn’t Expect
It smells exactly like their mud mask, and that caught me off guard in a good way. I already know I like that scent, so cracking open a new product and getting a smell I trusted immediately took one variable off the table. If you’re on the fence about committing to a full jar, that familiarity is a genuine shortcut.
The Tab I Almost Missed
There’s a small sealing tab across the top of the container that I didn’t notice right away. I went in expecting to just scoop product out, and instead ran into plastic. It’s a minor thing, a few extra seconds to peel it off, but it’s the kind of packaging step that’s easy to skip past in a morning routine when you’re half awake and just want to wash your face. Not a deal-breaker, just worth knowing before your first use.
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Borghese Crema Saponetta Face Wash
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Who This Creamy Face Wash Actually Suits
If your skin turns tight and faintly pink within thirty seconds of the wrong cleanser, this is the one to test first. It pulled double duty for me, makeup off at night, quick wash in the morning, without the stripped feeling I get from anything gel-based or foaming. The sea salt is in there, but you won’t feel it; that’s the whole point.
What I’d Tell a First-Time Buyer
Test it on a small patch first, especially if you’ve never used a hyaluronic acid cleanser before. Don’t add water right away if you want to check for a reaction, do it dry on a spot the way I did. And use less than you think you need. A pea-sized amount covered my patch test easily; for a full face I’d estimate two to three times that, plus enough water to let it spread without dragging.
Pros
- No stinging, burning, redness, or itching during testing on sensitive skin
- Sea salt doesn’t create a noticeable scrub or grit against skin
- Scent matches the brand’s mud mask, which is a known favorite
- Creamy texture works for both makeup removal and daily cleansing
- Designed for twice-daily use, morning and night
Cons
- Sealed tab on the container is easy to miss on first use
- Sea salt ingredient could still concern anyone extremely reactive, even though it tested fine here
- Amount needed for a full face versus a spot test isn’t obvious without a little trial and error
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this creamy face wash safe for sensitive, reactive skin?
It tested clean on sensitive skin with no stinging, burning, or redness during a patch test. That said, always test a small area first since sea salt and hyaluronic acid can react differently on different people.
Should I patch-test before using it on my whole face?
Yes. Sensitive skin can flare hot, red, and itchy within seconds when a formula doesn’t agree with it, so testing a small spot on the side of your face first is smart before committing to a full wash.
Can this cleanser replace a separate makeup remover?
It’s built to double as both, taking off makeup and cleaning your face after a full day. It’s a creamy formula, so it has enough slip to break down makeup without needing a separate remover step first.
How much product do I need for a full face wash?
Less than you’d think for a spot test, but for a full face you’ll likely need a bit more and probably a little added water to help it spread and lather evenly.
Does it need to be used with water?
Normally yes, you’d add water to help it lather and rinse clean. It can be tested dry on a small patch first to check for irritation, but for regular use it’s meant to be worked in with warm water and patted dry afterward.
Will the sea salt in the formula exfoliate my skin?
Not noticeably, at least based on how it felt during testing. The salt is in the formula, but it didn’t feel gritty or scrub-like against skin, which is a plus if you’re avoiding exfoliating textures.
How does this compare to other Borghese skincare products?
It shares the same signature scent as the brand’s mud mask, which is a known favorite in our house. If you already like that product’s smell and texture family, this cleanser fits right into that same line.
Is there a sealing tab I need to remove before first use?
Yes, there’s a small tab sealed over the opening that has to be peeled off before you can access the product. It’s an easy step to overlook if you’re moving fast in the morning.
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Borghese Crema Saponetta Face Wash
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About the reviewer
Seb and Michelle
We've tested over 6,500 products in the last 5 years - collaborating with over 4,000 brands and bringing our style of reviews to multiple platforms.
