A skincare routine for sensitive skin should be short, gentle and predictable. Sensitive skin reacts more easily than other skin: it may sting, burn, itch or turn red after products, heat, wind or shaving. The fewer things you put on it, the easier it is to find out what it tolerates.
Signs that your skin is sensitive
- Products that other people use without trouble sting or burn on you.
- Your face flushes easily in hot rooms, cold wind or after exercise.
- You often have dry, tight or itchy patches.
- New products regularly cause redness or small bumps.
Lasting redness, swelling, cracked skin or a rash are not just "sensitivity". They can be signs of eczema, rosacea or contact dermatitis, and a dermatologist should check them.
The basic routine
Morning
- Rinse with lukewarm water, or use a mild, soap-free cleanser.
- Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer while the skin is slightly damp.
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
Evening
- Remove sunscreen and makeup with a gentle cleanser. Use your fingertips, not a cloth or brush.
- Pat dry with a soft towel.
- Apply the same moisturizer.
That is the whole routine. Add treatments only after your skin has been calm for a few weeks.
Ingredients and habits that often cause trouble
| Often irritating | Usually better tolerated |
|---|---|
| Fragrance and essential oils | Fragrance-free formulas |
| Drying alcohols high on the ingredient list | Cream and lotion textures |
| Grainy scrubs and cleansing brushes | Hands and a soft towel |
| Several active ingredients at once | One new product at a time |
| Very hot water | Lukewarm water |
"Unscented" does not always mean fragrance-free: an unscented product may contain a fragrance that masks other smells. The word "hypoallergenic" also has no fixed legal definition in some countries, so the ingredient list tells you more than the front label.
How to patch test a new product
- Apply a small amount to a patch of skin about the size of a coin, such as the inner arm or the bend of the elbow.
- Repeat twice a day for seven to ten days.
- If there is no redness, itching or swelling, try the product on a small area of your face before using it everywhere.
How to Add New Products to Your Skincare Routine explains how to introduce products one by one.
Choosing sunscreen for sensitive skin
Many people with sensitive skin prefer mineral sunscreens, which use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as filters. They can leave a pale cast on darker skin tones, so tinted versions are worth trying. Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen: Key Differences explains the difference between mineral and chemical filters.
If your moisturizer stings
Stinging after moisturizer is common when the skin barrier is irritated. Stop any exfoliating or active products for a while and return to the basic routine. Why Does Moisturizer Sting? Causes and Next Steps lists the usual causes, and Skin Barrier Care: How to Build a Gentle Routine shows how to support the skin barrier.
When to get help
See a doctor or dermatologist if your skin is painful, swollen, blistered or weeping, if a rash spreads, or if redness does not settle within a couple of weeks of gentle care. They can arrange allergy patch testing if a product allergy is suspected.
Related on ArniSun
- How to Add New Products to Your Skincare Routine
- Skin Barrier Care: How to Build a Gentle Routine
- Why Does Moisturizer Sting? Causes and Next Steps
- Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen: Key Differences
- How to Choose Body Lotion for Sensitive Skin
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Can sensitive skin use retinol or acids?
Sometimes, but slowly. Wait until your skin is calm, choose a low strength, use it once or twice a week and stop if irritation appears. Ask a dermatologist first if you have eczema or rosacea.
Are natural products safer for sensitive skin?
Not necessarily. Plant extracts and essential oils are common causes of irritation and allergy. Simple, fragrance-free formulas are usually a safer starting point.
How many products should a sensitive skin routine have?
Three are enough for most people: a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer and a sunscreen. Each extra product adds another possible trigger.