Everything You Need to Know About the Best Skincare for Sensitive Skin

It can be tricky to nail a skincare routine that truly works for you. Even more so when you have sensitive skin.

You feel sore when you try your best friend’s ‘best cream ever!’ recommendation, and suffer from dry, irritated skin when you dare to wash with a new cleanser. Big sigh!

Introducing new products into your routine can be challenging. But help is at hand.

You just need to know what ingredients to look for! If a product contains artificial fragrances, alcohol, and harsh exfoliants, your skin could quickly run into trouble.

Soothing ingredients like Chamomile, Aloe Vera, and Hyaluronic Acid will help keep your skin soft, nourished, and calm.

From a sunscreen for sensitive skin to a face exfoliator for sensitive skin, there are plenty of products that will suit you.

We’ve done a little research to help you build up a solid sensitive skin care routine filled with some of the best skincare for sensitive skin.

Firstly, How Do You Know if You Have Sensitive Skin?

If you break out easily or often feel irritated by products, pollutants, and general everyday living, you could well have sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, you may notice you react to fragrances, detergents, skincare products, perfumes, and soaps.

If you find you suddenly have itchy, red patches come up, your skin could be reacting to certain ingredients you’ve been exposed to.

Something else to watch out for is new rashes popping up. Raw, red patches on the skin indicates something’s not quite right. A moisturiser for sensitive skin could help even things out and bring your skin back into balance.

Also, if you burn very easily in the sun, it’ll be worth picking up the best sunscreen for sensitive skin.

Developing a skincare for sensitive skin routine might seem like a challenge when you’re worried about what might pop up, but with some careful consideration and a gentle approach, you’ll be able to find things that work for you.

So What Causes Sensitive Skin?

Sensitive skin reacts to certain ingredients and situations differently. Redness, irritation, and dry patches can be a reaction to pollutants, the sun, what you eat, your skincare routine, and your stress levels. That’s why it’s so important to use a cleanser for sensitive skin—it just needs a little more attention.

Sensitive skin happens when the nerve endings in the top layer of the skin become irritated. When you try a new product, you risk irritating this layer, which can cause dry, flaky, red, itchy skin.

Sensitive skin can be frustrating. You can’t just slather any product on your skin and go, which is why you need skin care for sensitive skin. You have to consider the ingredients and formulation.

Now Here is Best Skincare For Sensitive Skin

There’s good news though! There are plenty of products made especially for sensitive skin that you can try.

We’ve picked out our best skincare for sensitive skin and listed them here for you to check out.

Before you do, one quick tip. To minimise your risk of a reaction when you try new skincare, try one new product at a time. This helps you identify which product is the source of the problem if you have a reaction.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is a great face wash for sensitive skin. It’s free of alcohol, soap, silicone, and oil, all of which can irritate the skin. This gluten-free, nut-free formula is perfect for anyone who’s prone to redness and dehydration. If you’ve always liked the idea of an oil cleanser but know it wouldn’t agree with your skin, this formula could be something you want to try. Rub the smooth product together between your palms and add a little warm water. Massage it onto your skin and rinse thoroughly.

Almond Oil and Jojoba Oil keep the skin’s natural moisture reserves high while calming any inflammation. Dr Hauschka Soothing Cleansing Milk is free of dyes, preservatives, synthetics, and mineral oil, so your sensitive skin has less to react to. Special Cereal Extracts and Kidney Vetch revitalise and invigorate tired skin, while Anthyllis Extract cools and calms any existing inflammation. Nourish the skin as you cleanse with this gently, milky formula.

Acting as the perfect defence to extreme weather conditions, Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense includes Saskatoon Berry to recharge and protect the skin. The cruelty-free and vegan formula is free of any alcohol, and the blend of replenishing ingredients serves to boost the skin. We certainly think it’s in the running for the best serum for sensitive skin! Apply this solution in the morning and evening after you’ve cleansed. Leave it to absorb before you apply any moisturisers or sunscreen.

If you’re struggling with excess oil on the skin or dry, irritated patches, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Overnight Sensitive Moisturiser will help you restore your complexion. A contender for the best moisturiser for dry sensitive skin, the product sinks into the skin almost instantly and doesn't leave any greasy residue. Even the most sensitive complexion won’t react to the filler-free formula. Antioxidants work to prevent signs of ageing by keeping the skin nourished and moisturised. Thermal Spring Water soothes the skin, while Glycerine locks in moisture. Apply a thin layer to dry skin before bed.

Weleda Calendula Face Cream is a super-kind, super-caring formula that will nourish dry, sensitive skin without irritating it or causing it to break out. The face cream is suitable for vegetarians and is cruelty-free and sulphate-free. Though this formula has been created with babies in mind, if you suffer from very sensitive skin, this could be your new favourite formula.

If you love your body washes made with a slew of natural ingredients, then Eco Tan Organic Body Wash could be a great option for you. Organic Coconut and Mint make it smell incredible. You’ll enjoy washing with it so much, you won’t want to leave the shower! Great for all skin types, especially sensitive skin, it’ll make you feel smoother for longer after every wash.

How to do a Facial at Home for Sensitive Skin?

If your skin is super-fragile and you’d rather stick to a completely natural routine, you could try the following ideas.

1. Raw Honey can act as a great cleanser. Though it’s sticky, it’ll help clear debris from the skin and sweep away any imperfections. Honey also has great antibacterial properties, which can help reduce the inflammation of acne and other skin conditions.

2. Once you’ve cleansed, exfoliating will retexture the skin and give it a softer finish. To add moisture back into the skin, mis honey with olive oil and finely ground almonds to smooth the skin’s surface naturally.

3. If you’re tackling whiteheads, blackheads, or cystic acne, steaming your face will help relax your skin and open clogged pores. Fill a bowl with boiling water and hold it several inches from your face—the steam will be hot. Drape a towel over your head to trap the steam. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes. Apply a smoothing tonic afterwards to close pores carefully.

4. If you want to tone your skin, apple cider vinegar diluted with water will help remove residual grime and keep you looking toned and fresh.

5. To finish your at-home facial, a moisturiser with almond or olive oil will work beautifully and keep the skin hydrated. Smooth gently over your face to avoid unnecessary irritation. Almond oil is possibly the best moisturiser for sensitive skin if you want to take a thrifty approach.

While these totally natural beauty tips will take care of your sensitive skin, you can also enjoy a facial at home using gentle, sensitive skin-specific products. We’ve found the most soothing, kind, caring products and listed them down below for you.

How to Exfoliate Sensitive Rosacea Skin?

If you do have rosacea, even an exfoliator for sensitive skin will potentially irritate the condition. Test any new products near your ear first to see how your skin reacts.

If you have red, sensitive skin that suffers from rosacea, you’ll want to choose products that offer the best skincare for sensitive skin. A mild skin care routine will reduce your chances of aggravating your rosacea. By using a gentle soap for sensitive skin and the best face moisturiser for dry sensitive skin, you’ll be able to keep your skin cool and calm.

How to Remove Pimples for Sensitive Skin?

Sensitive skin that breaks out easily can be one of the most frustrating things. Not only do you have pimples to content with, but you also risk redness and irritation! While Salicylic Acid isn’t completely off limits, it could be worth picking up an alternative. Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides can work for sensitive skin to help gently dislodge pimples and impurities.

If you want to take a natural approach to spots, Witch Hazel, Tea Tree Oil, Aloe, and Green Tea won’t irritate the skin or cause any further inflammation. A toner for sensitive skin is a good idea because it clears away any debris that your cleanser might’ve missed.

Is Glycolic Acid Safe for Sensitive Skin?

Glycolic Acid is great for acne-prone skin but not so great for super-sensitive skin. If your skin produces oil naturally and in a healthy fashion, Glycolic Acid might suit you. But those with eczema, rosacea, or very dry skin will almost certainly suffer from some irritation when they use Glycolic Acid. Lactic Acid might be better to use if you have sensitive skin, as it will smooth over rough patches in a less stringent way.

Are Hypoallergenic Skincare Products Safer for Sensitive Skin?

Hypoallergenic skincare products are designed to reduce the likelihood of reactions, but such products are by no means a panacea for sensitive skin.'

Hypoallergenic' literally means 'low in allergens'. It's not a guarantee that a product won't irritate your skin. Nor is it a promise that a product contains no allergens at all.

No official standards govern what is and is not considered hypoallergenic. Every skincare company sets its own standards. The hypoallergenic offerings of one manufacturer might inflame your skin, but hypoallergenic products from another company won't necessarily have the same effect.

A product formulated to improve acne might result in a peeling, painful rash. The product you use to treat the rash may irritate your skin too, initiating a cycle of reaction after reaction. Never mind the prospect of makeup, which is a challenge unto itself.

Many people turn to hypoallergenic products to combat sensitive skin. These products aren't altogether free of allergens. Instead, they simply contain fewer common allergens. Some manufacturers also minimise the number of ingredients in each product to reduce the likelihood of allergic reactions.

Whether a hypoallergenic formula works for you is largely dependent on the underlying cause of your skin's sensitivity. Sensitivity could be caused by a number of things, such as allergies, general medical conditions, skin conditions, sun exposure just to name a few, in order to get to the bottom of what is causing your skin sensitivity its best to consult a professional who can look at your skin in more detail in order to understand the underlying cause.

Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.