This invention relates to a method of cleansing skin having an impaired barrier function. The method of this invention utilizes cleansing compositions that have the characteristic of minimally perturbing or interacting with the skin barrier by applying to the skin a cleansing composition comprising (i) at least one low molecular weight, non-cross-linked, linear acrylic copolymer and (ii) at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and combinations of two or more thereof, the cleansing composition having a ΔST(65) of greater than about 2 mN/m.
