An effective routine for sensitive skin begins with gentle cleansers and moisturizers that contain noncomedogenic formulas that contain ceramides and rice protein peptides – products like these are an ideal starting point.
Find a lightweight moisturizer without fragrance as this can irritate sensitive skin, making non-comedogenic formulations preferable.
Cleanser
Beginning any effective skincare regime requires finding an appropriate cleanser, but finding one suitable for sensitive skin may prove challenging. Some cleansers are too harsh, causing dryness and tightness; others don’t cleanse thoroughly enough, leading to breakouts. When shopping around for a cleanser that best meets your needs it should be fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist tested and free from harsh exfoliants; look out for fragrance-free ones with moisture binding humectants such as Ceramides Niacinamide Chamomile Shea butter.
The Sephora Collection Clean Skin Face Wash With Prebiotics is an energizing yet soothing facial cleanser containing probiotics and aloe vera to alleviate redness and irritation caused by sensitive, reactive and rosacea-prone skin types. Use in combination with serum and moisturizer products for maximum effects.
Serum
A serum can be an invaluable addition to any skincare regimen, helping address various skin concerns. A pore-refining serum may help minimize pores and prevent blackheads while rejuvenating serums can address fine lines and wrinkles.
A calming serum can provide skin relief from redness, itching and flaking caused by sensitive skin conditions. Look for formulas infused with soothing ingredients such as chamomile, camu-camu and hyaluronic acid to seal in moisture and promote wellness.
Vitamin C serum can provide radiant, younger-looking skin while combatting signs of aging. When selecting your serum, make sure it contains low concentrations of active ingredients to avoid irritating your skin, and seek non-comedogenic solutions.
This hydrating serum was specifically created to meet the needs of sensitive skin, featuring sodium hyaluronate with its smaller molecular size to deeply hydrate without irritating it. Furthermore, pineapple ceramide even out skin tone while provitamin B5 improves elasticity for added benefits. Lastly, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic properties make this an excellent solution for finicky complexions.
Moisturiser
No matter whether it is itchy, dry, or oily skin, applying moisturizer can help alleviate inflammation and keep it hydrated. When selecting one that doesn’t contain irritating ingredients and consider choosing one with lighter cream consistency as they will feel less greasy on your skin.
Kiehl’s luxurious fragrance-free lotion is an extremely effective choice for sensitive skin types due to its clean formulation. Packed with shea butter, squalane and hydroxylpalmitoyl sphinganine — which all help increase hydration — it also contains soothing ingredients such as feverfew extract, oatmeal extract and ceramides for additional hydration and comfort.
Dr. Kassardjian recommends this hydrating cream due to its gentle formulation, which doesn’t contain common irritants like dyes, fragrances, lanolin, parabens and phthalates – and contains ceramides to strengthen your barrier and provide long-term relief from inflammation. In fact, it even won the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance as well as receiving numerous rave reviews on Amazon!
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is one of the most essential skincare products, but especially important for people with sensitive skin. A suitable sunscreen can protect against UVA and UVB rays which cause premature aging of skin, contribute to skin cancer risk, and are believed to play a part in skin wrinkling, according to dermatologists. They advise against sunscreens containing alcohol, fragrances or preservatives as these could irritate sensitive skin further.
Experts generally agree that when shopping for sunscreens for sensitive skin, mineral formulations are usually the superior choice. These contain physical blocks like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which rest atop your skin to physically block and reflect harmful UV rays – unlike chemical sunscreens which absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat energy; mineral formulas are less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions according to dermatologist Dr. Orit Markowitz.
Markowitz suggests looking for tinted sunscreen that contains hyaluronic acid and non-comedogenic emollients, which will keep skin hydrated while also preventing clogged pores. An ideal product would be this luminous tint from Babo Botanicals; its barely-there matte finish blends seamlessly with all skin tones.
