7 Sensitive Skin Products to Try (plus 3 to avoid)

Redness, itching, burning? The unpleasant feeling of dry, tight or irritated skin is hard to ignore.

If you have sensitive skin— or tend to have reactions to skin care products in general— choosing products that minimize irritation is key to managing sensitivity. And, products specifically formulated for sensitive skin can be a good place to start.

But what if that is not enough? Even sensitive skin products can contain ingredients— like essential oils, fragrance and preservatives— that can irritate your delicate skin.

While we've covered what causes sensitive skin and how to build a better skin care routine in another post, this article highlights 7 customer favorites.

These extra gentle formulas are made with minimal ingredients and free from common irritants —including alcohol, synthetic fragrances, phenoxyethanol, sulfates and essential oils. So, if your skin feels extra irritated these soothing skin care products are worth a try.

Please note that individual allergic reactions are always a possibility, so we recommend patch testing if you are concerned about the way a product might react with your skin.

7 Skin Care Products to Consider if You Have Sensitive Skin

1. Mokosh Pure Organic Face & Body Cream, $48.95

Replenish the Skin Barrier

Dry skin and sensitive skin often go hand-in-hand. If you’re searching for a simple, straightforward option for dry skin that's difficult to soothe, this organic face moisturizer is the way to go. The blend of readily absorbed, nutritious oils calms and soothes dry, sensitive skin with antioxidants and barrier-building omega-6 fatty acids. Suitable for use on face and body.

Good to know: Mokosh Skincare formulas are water free and 5x more concentrated than regular skin care products. This means that you only need to use one-fifth the amount. As a general rule, half a pea-sized amount will moisturize your whole face.

2. Kinfield Rescue Mission Whipped Moisturizer, $22

Banish dry patches

Skin that is both sensitive and dry often feels tight and uncomfortable. This thick moisturizer cream helps visibly smooth and soften dry, rough patches without feeling heavy or greasy. Use it anywhere your skin needs a little love.

Good to know: Rescue Mission is non-comedogenic (aka won’t clog your pores!), and revives dehydrated, windswept, or sun-damaged skin. Apply a thin layer or use it as a sleep mask when skin feels extra dry.

3. Le Prunier Plum Oil, $72

Balance + Restore All Skin Types

California dried plums are not only valued for their health benefits, the oil from the seeds is highly nourishing to sensitive skin. Le Prunier Plum Oil provides vital nutrients and lasting moisture helping calm irritation and seal in moisture without clogging pores. It's lightweight and non-comedogenic making it safe for all skin types including acne-prone skin.

Good to know: Kind and gentle on sensitive skin— all Le Prunier products have received the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance™. The National Eczema Association awards this Seal to products proven safe and suitable for eczema or sensitive skin, based on rigorous sensitivity, safety, toxicity, and ingredient testing.

4. Fitglow Calm Cleanser For Sensitive Skin, $39

Use a gentle, non-drying cleanser

Over washing can strip natural oil levels making your skin sensitivity feel worse. This sensitive-skin-friendly cleanser gently and effectively removes makeup, dirt, and excess oil, while hydrating and nourishing your skin. Cucumber soothes skin while Bamboo Electrolytes may help reduce the look of redness and irritation.

Good to know: Washing your face twice a day could be irritating for sensitive or dry skin types. Try using a gentle formula at night to remove dirt and makeup, then simply rinse with warm water in the morning.

5. Fitglow Redness Rescue Cream, $69

Reduce redness

Persistently red, flushed-looking skin often goes hand-in-hand with sensitive skin. The Redness Rescue Cream helps soothe and comfort sensitive skin while visibly reducing the look of redness and blotchiness. Use it on its own, over your moisturizer or as a foundation base to help even-out redness.

Good to know: The natural green mineral tint helps neutralize any red pigments showing up on the skin. Any discoloration that still peaks through can easily be covered with your normal concealer.

6. Free + True Soft Power Cleanser & Exfoliant, $40

Cleanse + Exfoliate

Even the most sensitive skin can benefit from a little face exfoliation, so long as it’s not overdone. Exfoliation helps remove excess oil, dead skin cells and improve your skins texture. Enriched with coconut milk, banana, and colloidal oats, Soft Power lathers into a creamy milk that gently whisks away impurities, pollutants and excess oil.

Good to know: This essential-oil free cleansing powder is soft on the skin – perfect for those who cannot tolerate AHA or enzyme exfoliation. If you have dry or super sensitive skin, trying using it every 7 to 10 days.

7. Luna Nectar Futurize Bakuchiol Serum, $49

Anti-aging alternative to retinol

Dryness, itching, burning, flaking, peeling, and redness are a real possibility with retinol usage if you already suffer from sensitive skin. With just 3 ingredients– squalane oil, Rosehip Seed Oil and Bakuchiol–Futurize is highly effective helping brighten, smooth and seal in moisture in all skin types.

Good to know: Unlike Retinol, Bakuchiol does not cause dryness or irritation, and can be applied morning or night - making it a savior for sensitive skin types.

3 Skin Care Products To Avoid (for now) if You Have Sensitive Skin

1. Vitamin C Serum

Although Vitamin C is one of the most effective skincare ingredients for brighter skin – it can cause irritation and reactivity in sensitive skin types. If you want to add a vitamin C serum to your skin care routine, start slowly! Try a serum with Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD ascorbate) which is generally considered to be less irritating than some other forms (like ascorbic acid).

2. Chemical Based Sunscreen

Avoid chemical sunscreens with ingredients like avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone. While effective, these chemical filters can sometimes cause irritation or allergic reactions, especially in people with sensitive skin. Instead, opt for mineral sunscreen with ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Mineral sunscreen tends to be less irritating and more soothing for sensitive skin compared to chemical sunscreens.

3. Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)

AHAs work by exfolating the outer layer of skin which can disrupt the skin's natural barrier leading to irritation, redness, or dryness. Because individuals with sensitive skin have an easily compromised barrier, skin can react more strongly to this type of exfoliation.

Good to know: Be wary of anti-aging products (for now). Many “age-defying” products can contain actives like retinol, vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or BHA's which can further dry or irritate reactive skin. Be cautious when combining multiple actives (e.g from facial cleansers, toners and moisturizers) which might increase irritation.

This article is for informational purposes only. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.