10 of the best products for sensitive skin

Caring for sensitive skin can be a tricky feat, especially when you’re dealing with redness, irritation, itching and tightness, and all you want is your skin to look all glowy and glorious!

We all know the best defence is a good offence, so the trick is to arm yourself with products specifically designed to prevent your sensitive skin from reacting, while treating the symptoms in the process.

We’ve done the hard yards for you and picked some of our favourite products to add to each step in your beauty routine to help give your skin the comforting TLC it needs every day.

12 OF THE BEST SENSITIVE SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

Best sensitive skin cleansers…

Best cleansers for sensitive skin

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Gentle enough to be used on baby’s skin, this sensitive skin must-have is free from potential irritants such as fragrance, soap and lanolin, and is incredibly effective in removing make-up, dirt and impurities.

Dermal Therapy™ Soap Free Wash
Formulad with naturally-derived ingredients that are known for their immediate hydrating ability, this soap-free cleanser is designed for dry and sensitive skin and itchy or flaking skin. It's also mild enough for daily use on the entire family.

Best sensitive skin scrubs…

Sensitive skin scrubs

Avène Gentle Purifying Scrub
Gently slough away dead skin cells with this super soothing scrub that contains exfoliating microspheres for very mild exfoliation, and is enriched with 66 per cent Avène Thermal Spring Water to calm and relieve the skin.

Natures Organics Australian Pure Lilli Pilli & Wattleseed Face Scrub
Free from harmful chemicals, synthetic fragrance and animal-derived ingredients, this plant based-scrub gently buffs away dead skin cells for a calm and smooth complexion.

Best sensitive skin moisturisers…

Best moisturisers for sensitive skin

The Goat Skin Care Moisturising Cream
Formulated with ultra-moisturising goat’s milk, this face and body cream soothes dry and itchy skin, leaving it feeling relieved and super-hydrated for hours on end.

Bellamer Botanical Skin Care Soothing Balm
A rich, 100 per cent natural skin cream, this soothing skin saviour assists in providing relief for sensitive, irritated and eczema-prone skin. The formula contains healing lavender, calming chamomile, and soothing peppermint in a jojoba and shea butter base.

Best sensitive skin facial wipes…

Sensitive skin facial wipes

WOTNOT Naturally Nurturing Facial Wipes – for sensitive skin
Formulated with natural ingredients, these gentle face wipes are suitable for even the most delicate skin. They're also effective at removing dirt, impurities and makeup, including waterproof mascara!

Wet Ones ® Be Gentle Sensitive Medium Pack
Dermatologically tested and pH balanced, these antibacterial wipes have a mild, hypoallergenic formula that contains soothing aloe. Designed for use on the hands, face and body, they're also fragrance, alcohol and paraben-free.

Best sensitive skin lip balms…

Best lip balms for sensitive skin

Pure Paw Paw Ointment
Made using fresh, fermented Australian fruit, this ointment is a godsend for instantly relieving dry, chapped and irritated lips, while keeping them soft and hydrated.

Blistex Lip Conditioner SPF 15
Enriched with cocoa butter, vitamin E, grapeseed and olive oils, this conditioning balm is a dream for an irritated pout. The added benefit of SPF will also help protect sensitive lips from the harmful effects of the sun.

Best sensitive skin first-aid...

Best first aid products for sensitive skin

PoxClin Sensitive

As well as being formulated to help relieve the itch, irritation and sensitivity associated with chickenpox and shingles, this mousse and gel duo also helps relieve the itchy and inflamed skin associated with dermatitis, sunburn, prickly heat, hives, insect bites and other skin irritations. Talk about an all-rounder!

Nexcare Sensitive Skin Pads - 4 Pack ($12.95, selected Amcal pharmacies)

These gentle skin pads are a good alternative to regular adhesive bandages, which can sometimes irritate sensitive skin. They feature a gentle, silicone-based hypoallergenic adhesive and soft cloth dressing to promote wound-healing, without irritating your skin.

Do you have sensitive skin? What products do you use to soothe irritation?

176 Member Comments

Iman 19 May 2014 8:40 AM

I have sensitive skin, and I find that the Bioderma skincare range helps with the irritation.

Log in or register to commentReply to comment
Likes 0

clearcrystalwater 19 May 2014 8:39 AM

My skin isn't sensitive but it is pimple-prone so I need to be careful regarding that. My daughter has very sensitive skin.

Linda_Vesinger 19 May 2014 8:15 AM

My skin isn't as sensitive as it used to be. I'm careful not to put anything too harsh or 'grainy' around my tzone, as they trigger my sensitive reactions.

I've recently been using the Dermalogica Ultracalming range, with great results. Very gentle cleanser in the range & the Barrier Cream is a unique & very gentle moisturiser.

Pink Hornet 19 May 2014 8:15 AM

Sensitive dry skin. Currently trialing an Avene Redness Lotion, too early to form judgement yet. Cetaphil is always useful as are ego and alpha keri. Moogoo moisturiser has worked too.

H.J. 19 May 2014 8:02 AM

Love Cetaphil, Carmex and Avene!

Temporary Princess 19 May 2014 6:39 AM

Love Wotnot! It's my favourite facial wipe of all time!

bebeautiful34 19 May 2014 6:15 AM

My skin isn't sensitive all the time, but I like using fragrance free products

IndieAna 19 May 2014 5:34 AM

Thankfully I don't have sensitive skin, but I still enjoy products for this skintype

Anitas Artistry 19 May 2014 5:25 AM

I get eczema and I find some of those products aren't great for my skin. I love the Trilogy range.

Anonymous (not verified) 19 May 2014 4:58 AM

I have sensitive and combo skin and I really enjoy the cetaphill gentle cleanser

Trish_D 19 May 2014 4:44 AM

Love the Wotnot wipes. Great article and thank you from one who does have sensitive skin. I keep perfumed products to a minimum, which is a shame but it seems to work.

Misy Rose 19 May 2014 4:34 AM

I can never be without paw paw ointment and the Wotnot wipes are amazing as well

Tee631 19 May 2014 4:15 AM

I've heard heaps about cetaphil, my grandma used to use it

SoMuchPretty 19 May 2014 4:03 AM

Everyone is different but I disagree with quite a few things here. If you have sensitive skin, the last thing you should be doing is using a scrub. They are too abrasive and will likely leave you red. I personally prefer using a mild AHA to keep skin smooth. I would also avoid wipes because so many of them are not soft enough on the skin. I admit I have not tried the Wotnot ones but I did try the Yes to Cucumbers: one of the better ones but still not gentle enough for nightly use. Paw Paw ointment is terrific but I tend to avoid Blistex because they use menthol and that makes my lips irritated and dry. With sensitive skin, you are best off looking for short ingredients lists and be wary of "natural" ingredients which can be more irritating than man-made. One happy exception for me is "Dragons Blood" which is in a moisturiser I am using. It is anti-inflammatory and calms my skin down so much.

ray_jay 19 May 2014 3:49 AM

great products here even for those without sensitive skin

Haniibee44 19 May 2014 3:23 AM

Cetaphil is one of the best cleansers I have used, not only for sensitive skin but also for people with acne and other skin problems. It really helps. Another favourite of mine is paw paw ointment...so many uses!

Belle88 19 May 2014 3:16 AM

I've tried a few of the above products. The face scrub is great - a really good exfoliant. The Wotnot facial wipes are really good and I love the paw paw ointment - a must-have for dry lips in winter.

Platinum Ms 19 May 2014 2:59 AM

I like the Avene range and Yes range for sensitive skin.

Seezora 19 May 2014 2:53 AM

Aveeno worked really well for my skin when it was at its worst (drying winter months). At the moment I have a combination of products that are working really well, including a Garnier moisturiser that my skin is thriving on.

Petal 19 May 2014 2:51 AM

Trilogy Sensitive Very Gentle Cream Cleanser should be on this list! It's an excellent cleanser and I feel that it's slightly more effective for removing makeup than some other creamy cleansers I've used. I experience many, many rashes on my body. I recommend calendula oil (from the health food store/herbal dispensary) for soothing rashes. I also have many other natural creams and remedies that help e.g. aloe vera gel, hypericum oil, pawpaw ointment (petroleum-free), MooGoo.

maydayismyday 19 May 2014 2:38 AM

I don't have overly sensitive skin but I do love the Wotnot wipes.

Lucrecia629 19 May 2014 2:36 AM

Egyptian Magic is my go-to skin soother. It's a healing concoction of olive oil, beeswax, bee pollen, propolis, honey and royal jelly. Probably less than ideal for those with bee allergies, but it works great for me.

MissChriss 19 May 2014 2:31 AM

I have fairly sensitive skin and I agree with the Cetaphil cleanser and the wotnot wipes as they are great for me. Moisturiser wise I love people for plants and moogoo, and I use dermalogica's daily microfoliant once or twice a week as it doesn't irritate my skin.

Rose_P 19 May 2014 2:24 AM

My skin isn't super sensitive, but it has been known to have a hissy fit now and then. Thankfully it hasn't happened for a long time! My poor mum has extremely sensitive skin. I bought her some MooGoo and she's having great success. She reckons her skin hasn't felt this good for ages, and she's only been using it for a few weeks.

Faboosh 19 May 2014 2:16 AM

I havent tried any of these products, but they seem really good!

Pages

You need to log in or become a member to post a comment.

12 of the best products for sensitive skin