Which are the best products for sensitive skin?

Beauty Editor4 years ago

The best products for sensitive skin

It’s hard to feel confident in your own skin when even makeup can’t mask the effects of sensitivity, including; rosacea, psoriasis and eczema. Sensitive skin is a condition that's far more common than people realise and a major concern for many. Wanting to find out more about sensitive skin? We're here to break it down for you and to give some of our top product picks!

What is sensitive skin?

Those with sensitive skin types generally have thinner skin and often have less pigment which is why they're more prone to easily irritated, broken skin with visible blood vessels which causes redness. Unfortunately, sensitive skin is genetic and there is little that can be done to cure it. However, you can manage sensitive skin through the use of the right products. You’re best to steer clear of any treatments or products that can thin the skin further such as peels and acids, instead really focus on using calming and hydrating products.

What is the difference between sensitive and sensitised skin?

Unlike Sensitive skin, Sensitised skin is caused by lifestyle and environmental factors. Some of the main contributors to this skin condition are; pollution, stress, medication, hormones, diet and even skincare products! Keeping your skincare routine simple and making changes to your lifestyle and environment can really help repair your skin's natural barrier and manage flare ups.

Top tips:

Avoid having your skin under hot water (yes, this means avoiding long, hot showers) or using hot water whilst cleansing.
Try using a gentle, non-fabric cloth to remove products - we love this one from asap skincare and this cleanser and cloth duo from pai skincare.
Avoid using excessive or abrasive motions, instead use gentle, upward movements.
Be mindful of exfoliants, not all sensitive/sensitised skins can handle exfoliation
Speak to a skincare professional or our customer service team about your skin and find out which products will work best for your skin type.

The best ingredients to help manage and repair sensitive/ sensitised skin:

Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Green Tea
Chamomile
Oat Kernel Extract
Shea Butter
Evening primrose
Hyaluronic Acid

Which products should I use?

There are so many incredible products out there that are designed to help repair and calm even the most sensitive skin types. Here are a few of our top recommendations, chosen by one of our trained beauty experts.

The best cleansers for sensitive skin

Medik8 Calmwise Soothing Cleanser

Provides relief for redness or irritation
Improves the skins barrier
Infused with sweet orange to help protect the skin from environmental stress, soreness and surface irritation
Vitamin K to help strengthen and improve skin health

Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser

Calms and soothes discomfort
Easily rinses away or tissues off
Gentle cleansing Gel form

asap Gentle Cleansing Gel

Cleanses and tones
Soothes itchy, red skin
White Tea calms, protects and hydrates
Aloe Vera to soothe

The best exfoliants for sensitive skin

remember- not everyone can/ should use these

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Balances uneven skin tone
Colloidal Oatmeal soothes and calms
Extra fine rice powder exfoliates and is gentle on the skin
Can be used daily depending on your skins barrier function

asap Clear Complexion Gel

Non abrasive exfoliant
Licorice and Tea Tree remove dead skin build up
Calendula Calms and soothes

Skinstitut Enzymatic Micro Peel

Ultra gentle skin exfoliation for a smoother, brighter complexion
Hydrates, softens, refreshes and revitalizes
Non abrasive exfoliant
Gentle enough to be left on overnight

The best serums for sensitive skin

Medik8 Calmwise Serum

Improves skins natural barrier function
Sage infused to combat redness and flare-ups
Improves skins firmness and hydration
Powerful antioxidants shield the skin from environmental damage

Dermalogica Barrier Defense Booster – Specific for Sensitive Skin

Reinforces skin's natural protective barrier
Intensely nourishes and soothes
Prevent skin irritation
Lightweight oil

Pai Skincare instant Calm Redness Serum

Reduces redness immediately
Minimizes discomfort, burning and itching
Calms and soothes skin

Alpha H Vitamin E

Antioxidant serum hydrates and enhances barrier function
Boosts skins immunity response
Improves dry, cracked and flaking skin
Speeds up the healing process

The best moisturisers for sensitive skin

Dermalogica Calm Water Gel – Targeted for Sensitive Skin

Weightless water-gel texture
Dual Hyaluronic acid targets multiple skin surface layers to lock in moisture
Cactus pear helps soothe and calm sensitivity

Medik8 Calmwise Colour Corrector

Infuses skin with oxygen to help support and heal
Provides instant color correction
Niacinamide and Aloe Vera calm and soothe
Caffeine helps reduce the size of blood vessels to diffuse flushing
Great for rosacea sufferers
Perfect before applying make-up

Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream

Reduces redness and repairs broken capillaries
High in essential fatty acids and essential oils to soothe, hydrate and heal
Promotes collagen production

The best SPF products for sensitive skin

Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield SPF30

Chemical free defense
Natural minerals help shield against UV and photodamage
Oat and botanical actives minimize discomfort
Sheer formula with optimal hydration

Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF30

Weightless formula
Blue light protection
Soothes and hydrates
Protects against environmental aggressors
Bio-active Mushroom Complex helps soothe skin, and reduce UV-induced redness and dryness

Medik8 Physical Sunscreen

Chemical free
Fast absorbing
Protects skin from pollution and shields skin from environmental aggressors

Click here to discover more of our top product for sensitive skin!

Amanda

Beauty Editor

A coffee addicted, YouTube obsessed Libran, I absolutely live and breathe all things beauty! I love to try new products and find myself switching things up regularly, as I continue on my ultimate quest to find the perfect flawless base and skin-care regime.