The best products for sensitive skin

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The best products for sensitive skin

We all know it can take a really long time to find the right combination of products to keep your skin in check, and even when you think you’ve found your Holy Grail products, a change of season or hormonal upheaval can really throw a spanner in the works. This process is made even more difficult if you have sensitive skin. To get our heads around this #firstworldproblem and share important information and the best products to use, we spoke to skin and nutrition expert, Fiona Tuck, and Emma Hobson, Education Manager for the International Dermal Institute and Dermalogica. Here’s what we found out.

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What is sensitive skin?

The skin has a natural protective barrier called the ‘lipid barrier’, which helps to maintain moisture in the skin. Fiona tells us that people with sensitive skin often have a weakened or damaged lipid barrier, which “leads to dehydration and therefore more reactive and sensitive skin”.

What causes sensitive skin?

Fiona and Emma list the most common causes of sensitive skin:

  • Weather conditions (such as extreme cold, dryness, indoor heating or air conditioning)
  • Adrenal stress
  • Over-exfoliation
  • Overuse of drying astringent products
  • Flying
  • Illness
  • Low fat diets
  • Poor nutrition
  • Some medications

What are the side effects?

Unfortunately, there are many side effects of sensitive skin that can affect day-to-day life and they’re not pretty. (But fear not, there are heaps of products to help… I’ll get to that!) Emma gives us a few examples:

  • Increased heat in the skin
  • Itchiness
  • Stinging
  • Redness
  • Tight, dry and flaky skin
  • Rough skin
  • Dull-looking skin
  • Stinging or burning sensations when applying some products
  • Increased breakouts

Which ingredients should be avoided?

To ensure you don’t aggravate your sensitive skin or cause any of the above side effects, Fiona recommends staying away from “abrasive exfoliants, glycolic acid, retinoic acid, highly perfumed beauty products, chemical peels and microdermabrasion”. She also warns against using multiple products as this can cause overstimulation of the skin. Emma adds that sensitive skin sufferers should steer clear of SD alcohol, heat-generating products and lanolin, and to exercise caution when using actives, retin-A- and retinol-based products, especially if in a high percentage.

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Which ingredients are recommended?

Luckily, there are loads of ingredients that can be used on sensitive skin, but it’s all about the way you use them. Fiona explains, “The key to treating sensitive skin is to introduce new products slowly into a home routine so as to not overstimulate the skin.” She recommends using protective, hydrating and strengthening ingredients such as green tea extract, anti-inflammatory vitamin C, niacinamide (vitamin B3) and soothing ingredients such as aloe, chamomile, calendula, goji and raspberry extract which all help to reduce redness. Oil-based products are also recommended as they “help to reinforce the natural barrier function of the skin”. Some oils to look out for are rosehip, macadamia, jojoba, olive, and avocado.

Emma lists the ingredients that help to promote the production of natural anti-inflammatories within the skin, soothe and reduce irritation and redness, and improve the natural barrier function of the skin. These include:

  • Boerhavia diffusa (red hogweed) root extract
  • Oat avenanthramides
  • Ginger and bisabolol
  • Evening primrose
  • Borage seed
  • Oat kernel
  • Silicones
  • Titanium and zinc oxides (look for these in your sunscreens)

As with any natural function of the body, food can also play an important role in helping your skin repair itself. For those with sensitive skin, Fiona recommends anti-inflammatory foods such as fruits and vegetables, along with omega-3-rich foods such as salmon, tuna, nuts, and seeds. The best things to avoid are alcohol, coffee, processed meats, bread, pasta, rice, noodles, chips, and anything with a high sugar content.

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Now that we know exactly what causes sensitive skin and how to protect it, let’s take a look at the products that need to be in your beauty kit, stat!


Face

Dermalogica Skin Kit – UltraCalming

Face

Elemis Sensitive Cleansing Collection

Face

Avene Gentle Toner

Face

Sukin Sensitive Facial Moisturiser

Face

Natio Skin Delicate Eye Cream

Face

Compeed Invisible Cold Sore Patch

Face

Lacura Cleansing Wipes

Body

Weleda Almond Sensitive Skin Body Lotion

Body

Reef Beach Glow Instant Tan Foaming Mousse

Body

Nair Sensitive Shower Power Hair Removal Cream

Body

Dove Pure Deodorant Roll-On

Body

Clinique Deep Comfort Body Wash

Body

Cetaphil Restoraderm Skin Restoring Body Moisturiser

Baby/Kids

Sunsense Kids SPF50+

Baby/Kids

Billie Goat Soap Billie Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner

 

Baby/Kids

Curash Soap Free Baby Wipes

Baby/Kids

Sheridan Weslea Cot Fitted Sheet In Grey 

Baby/Kids

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Skin Crème

Baby/Kids

Vanessa Megan Bubba Bath and Massage Oil

Hair

DermaVeen Daily Nourish Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner

Hair

Al’chemy Macadamia and Wheat Protein Treatment Conditioner

Hair

L’Occitane Aromachologie Repairing Oil

Hair

Kerastase Paris Sensidote Dermo-Calm Serum Apaisant Absolu

Hair

L’Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Eversleek Frizz Taming Crème Serum

Make-up

Nude by Nature Magic Mineral Mascara

Make-up

Innoxa Couleurs D’Ete Summer Matte Collection

Make-up

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream Sensitive

Make-up

asap pure mineral make-up Pure Eye Pencil

Make-up

Paula’s Choice Healthy Finish Pressed Powder SPF 15

Make-up

Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Colour

Do you have sensitive skin? Have you tried any of these products?

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