Article Overview
- Sensitive skin types tend to be more prone to irritation, redness and discomfort when exposed to certain ingredients, chemicals, environmental factors, and even certain fabrics. Because skin sensitivity isn’t limited to a specific trigger, it can be hard for sensitive skin types to find skincare that doesn’t cause a reaction. This article breaks down the best skincare ingredients to calm, comfort and nourish sensitive skin.
What are the characteristics of sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin is characterised by its tendency to react negatively to various stimuli, including skincare products, environmental factors, and even certain fabrics. Sensitive skin may be prone to redness, discomfort, dryness, itching sensations and tight-feeling skin. This skin type is also more prone to developing skin conditions, and is more likely to have a compromised moisture barrier.
What should I look for with sensitive skincare?
For sensitive skin care, always keep skincare simple. Look for fragrance-free, hypoallergenic skincare, focusing on hydrating, nourishing and calming the skin.
| Ingredient | How It Works FOR SENSITIVE SKIN | Found In |
|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic Acid | A humectant that draws water into the skin to keep the skin hydrated and minimise discomfort. | Serums, moisturisers, cleansers, masks |
| Ceramides | Replenishing ceramides helps strengthen the skin moisture barrier to help protect against irritants. | Moisturisers, serums, cleansers |
| Niacinamide | Visibly reduces redness, comforts the skin and strengthens the protective moisture barrier. Generally well-tolerated by sensitive skin. | Serums, moisturisers |
| Allantoin | Comforts and protects irritated skin, visibly reduces redness and helps restore the moisture barrier. | Moisturisers, creams, after-sun products |
| Oatmeal (Colloidal Oatmeal) | Forms a protective barrier on the skin, helps manage irritation and sensitive skin. Gentle and well-tolerated. | Cleansers, masks, lotions |
| Aloe Vera | Hydrates irritated skin, visibly reduces redness. | Gels, moisturisers, after-sun products |
| Green tea | Antioxidant that can calm the skin, visibly reduce redness and protect against environmental aggressors. | Serums, moisturisers, toners |
| Chamomile | Botanical that irritated skin and visibly reduces redness. | |
| Vitamin C | Powerful antioxidant that neutralises harmful free radicals. Sensitive skin can benefit from lower concentrations of vitamin C. | Creams, toners, masks |
| Squalane | An emollient that mimics the skin's natural oils, hydrating and softening without clogging pores. Excellent for dry, sensitive skin types. | Moisturisers, serums, oils |
| Peptides | Gentle ingredient that can promote collagen and elastin production. Ideal anti-ageing ingredient for sensitive skin types. | Moisturisers, creams, serums |
Best Ingredients for sensitive skin
Hyaluronic acid
This powerful humectant hydrates by drawing moisture from the air into the skin. It's lightweight and doesn't clog pores, making it ideal for sensitive skin prone to breakouts. By drawing in water, hyaluronic acid helps strengthen the skin moisture barrier, reducing sensitivity.
Ceramides
Ceramides are essential components of the skin moisture barrier, acting like the “mortar” that holds skin cells together. For sensitive skin with a compromised moisture barrier, ceramides can help restore its function, reduce dryness and visibly reduce redness.
Niacinamide
A multi-tasking ingredient, niacinamide helps with irritation and redness, strengthening the skin moisture barrier, and can even improve skin tone. It's generally well-tolerated by sensitive skin and can be a great addition to a skincare routine.
Allantoin
Known for its comforting and protective properties, allantoin helps calm irritated skin and support skin cell renewal. It's often found in after-sun products and moisturisers for sensitive skin.
Colloidal oatmeal
Finely ground oatmeal forms a protective barrier on the skin, helping with irritation and itching sensations. It can also help visibly reduce redness and discomfort associated with sensitive skin conditions.
Aloe vera
This plant extract is a well-known remedy sunburn and skin irritations.for soothing sunburns and other skin irritations. It hydrates and visibly reduces redness, making it a gentle and effective ingredient for sensitive skin.
Green tea
Packed with antioxidants, green tea polyphenols help protect the skin from environmental damage and calm the skin. They can be particularly beneficial for sensitive skin prone to reactivity.
Chamomile
This gentle botanical extract has calming properties, making it ideal for easily irritated, sensitised skin. It's often found in creams, toners, and masks.
Vitamin C
This antioxidant plays a key role in protecting against environmental aggressors and harmful free radicals. Because sensitive skin is more prone to irritation, vitamin C is a useful ingredient for preventing further irritation. Make sure to choose a product with a lower concentration, around 5% vitamin C, that’s been formulated for sensitive skin.
Squalane
Derived from olives or sugarcane, squalane is an emollient that mimics the skin's natural oils. It hydrates and softens without clogging pores, making it an excellent choice for sensitive and dry skin. Squalane helps replenish the skin's lipid barrier, improving its resilience and reducing sensitivity.
Peptides
Peptides are a great ingredient for sensitive skin types looking to address ageing skin concerns. It’s a gentle ingredient that promotes the production of collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for the skin’s elasticity and plumpness.
Can sensitive skin use retinol
While retinol can be beneficial for various skin concerns, sensitive skin types need to approach it with caution. Retinol can cause initial irritation like dryness, redness, and peeling, which can be particularly challenging for sensitive skin. If you want to add retinol, start with the lowest concentration, applying 1-2 times a week at most, and buffering it with a hydrating serum and moisturiser to minimise these effects. If irritation is significant, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist.
Tips for your sensitive skin routine
The right ingredients are just one part of the skincare equation. Sensitive skin types need to be especially careful when adding to or changing their sensitive skincare routine. Here’s our recommendations for managing sensitive and irritation-prone skin.
- Identify your specific sensitivities: Sensitive skin isn't a single condition, and can be triggered by a number of different ingredients. The best way to manage sensitivity is by understanding what triggers your skin’s reactions, be it certain ingredients, fragrances, or even environmental factors.
- Less is more: A minimalist skincare routine is often best for sensitive skin. Focus on core products: gentle cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen. Avoid layering too many products as this can increase the risk of irritation.
- Fragrance-free is key: Both synthetic and natural fragrances can irritate sensitive skin, so always look for products labelled fragrance-free.
- Gentle cleansing: Avoid harsh cleansers that can strip the skin of its natural oils. Look for mild, sulfate-free cleansers formulated for sensitive skin. Cream or milk cleansers are often gentler than foaming cleansers.
- Patch test products: Always patch test new products on a small, inconspicuous area of skin (like your inner arm) before applying to your face. This can help identify potential irritants before regular use.
- Introduce products gradually: Don't overwhelm your skin by introducing too many ingredients or products at once. Start with one new product and give your skin time to adjust (a week or two) before adding another.
- Read ingredients labels: Familiarise yourself with common irritants and check ingredient lists to avoid them.
- Consult a dermatologist: If you're struggling to manage your sensitive skin, a dermatologist can help identify triggers, recommend suitable products, and rule out any underlying conditions.
- Sample first: Take advantage of skincare samples so you can trial products before buying a full-sized product.
- Be patient: Finding the right skincare routine for sensitive skin can take time. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.
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