Skincare for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is characterised by a compromised moisture barrier that allows irritants, allergens, and environmental triggers to penetrate more easily than they should. This leads to redness, stinging, tightness, and reactivity. The primary goal for sensitive skin is not to add more active ingredients — it is to rebuild the barrier, reduce inflammation, and create the stable, resilient skin environment in which more targeted treatments can eventually be used safely.

What to look for

• Ceramides — the key lipids that make up the skin's protective barrier
• Centella asiatica — potent anti-inflammatory and wound-healing botanical
• Bisabolol — calms redness and soothes reactive skin
• Panthenol (vitamin B5) — accelerates barrier repair and reduces inflammation
• Fragrance-free formulations — synthetic fragrance is the leading cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis

What to avoid

• Synthetic fragrance — present in most mainstream skincare and highly sensitising
• Alcohol denat — strips barrier lipids and causes stinging
• Physical scrubs — cause micro-tears in already compromised skin
• Introducing multiple new products at once — makes identifying triggers impossible
• High-strength acids without gradual introduction

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rosacea the same as sensitive skin?

No, though they often co-occur. Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with specific triggers and patterns — persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and in some subtypes, pustules or thickening. Sensitive skin is a broader category describing heightened reactivity without a specific underlying condition. Many people with rosacea also have sensitive skin, which is why gentle, fragrance-free, barrier-supporting products benefit both.

Can I use actives like retinol or AHAs if I have sensitive skin?

Yes, but with careful introduction. The barrier must be stable first — if your skin is currently reactive or inflamed, adding actives will worsen it. Once the barrier is healthy, low-strength actives introduced very gradually (once weekly, increasing slowly) are tolerated by most sensitive skin types. Applying actives over a moisturiser (the "buffering" method) reduces their potency and improves tolerance significantly.

Why does my sensitive skin react even to products labelled "for sensitive skin"?

"Sensitive skin" on a product label is not a regulated claim — it doesn't guarantee that the formula is genuinely low in irritants. Common hidden triggers include "natural" fragrances (citrus oils, lavender, rose), preservatives like methylisothiazolinone, and certain plant extracts. Reading the full ingredient list and patch-testing new products on the inner arm for 48 hours before facial use is the most reliable way to avoid reactions.

Shop for this concern

Browse the professional products we recommend for this concern, or read more in our skincare guides. Free UK delivery over £50.