Caring for Sensitive and Reactive Skin
Sensitive skin calls for gentleness and simplicity. Fewer, well-chosen products beat a bloated routine every time.
Recognizing sensitive skin
Sensitive skin flushes easily, tingles or heats up with certain products, hard water, or temperature changes. It can feel tight and uncomfortable. Sensitivity isn't a skin type on its own — it can show up on dry, oily, or combination skin. The good news is that with the right routine, it often calms down noticeably.
Simplify your routine
The principle is to cut down to the minimum: one very gentle cleanser, one soothing moisturizer, one well-tolerated sunscreen. Look for short ingredient lists, no fragrance, no alcohol. Avoid strong actives, aggressive scrubs, and constant product-hopping. When trying something new, patch test it first on a small area like the inside of your wrist or your jawline for a few days.
Protecting the skin barrier
Sensitive skin often has a compromised barrier that lets irritants in and lets moisture escape. To strengthen it, avoid overly hot water, don't strip your skin, and moisturize morning and night. Cold, wind, and dry indoor heating air all worsen sensitivity — protect your face in winter. If redness is strong or constant, see a doctor to rule out a specific underlying cause.
Apply it now
- Trim your routine down to the gentle essentials.
- Choose fragrance-free, alcohol-free formulas.
- Patch test every new product on a small area first.
- Avoid hot water and aggressive scrubs.
- Protect your skin from cold and wind in winter.
Frequently asked
Is sensitive skin the same as allergic skin?
No. Sensitivity is a general reactivity; an allergy is a specific reaction to one ingredient. When in doubt, see a doctor.