If you have sensitive skin, then you may have learned the hard way that you can’t use just any old random products on your face. Compromised skin requires using one of the best moisturizers for sensitive skin to soothe and help prevent further information while protecting the skin’s natural barrier. Show
The best face moisturizer for sensitive skin is made with minimal yet powerful ingredients to help relieve itchy, red, rough, bumpy, and scaly skin. Face feeling extra parched? Then you need the best face moisturizer for dry sensitive skin — a formulation that meets the best of both worlds. Sure, we can tell you about the best face moisturizer for sensitive skin, dermatologist-recommended, but we can go further than that. Here at Deep Science, we’ve reviewed hundreds of products with a scientific lens to ensure you’re creating a skincare routine that’s safe and effective — even if it requires a lotion for sensitive skin. Ahead, 12 of the best moisturizers for sensitive skin to help calm, restore, and protect. Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin: The ListFormulyst Super Hyaluronic Water Moisturizer, $29 Avene Skin Recovery Cream, $35 La-Roche Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer, $19.99 First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration, $38 Clinique Moisture Surge 100-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, $56 Philosophy Purity Made Simple Ultra-Light Moisturizer, $28 Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, $62 Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer, $11.79 Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E Antioxidant Protect + Repair Moisturizer Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream, $8.99 Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Fragrance-Free, $27.77 Dermalogica Barrier Repair Moisturizer, $49 The Complexities of Sensitive SkinResearch suggests that approximately 60% to 70% of women and 50% to 60% of men report having sensitive skin. While there are variances in how these individuals perceive skin sensitivity, most report itching, burning, stinging, tightness, and dryness. One theory for why women are more prone to skin sensitivity is differences in skin thickness. Women may also be more at risk for dehydration and dry skin due to hormonal changes. These theories still require further research. While the role of dermatologists is to help their patients discover the root of their sensitive skin without exacerbating the problem — or creating a new one — “sensitive skin” is somewhat of a nebulous term. However, it’s typically associated with contact dermatitis, allergies, dry skin, acne, or a skin condition like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea. Sensitive skin is also linked to hormonal fluctuations, certain medications, or even heredity. Related: Best Moisturizers For Oily Skin Unfortunately, sensitive skin can be tricky to treat. “The biggest issue we have in treating sensitive patients is intolerance to the products themselves, explains Dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. Sensitive skin issues have risen dramatically in the last decade, driving the need for practical, scientifically formulated, and tested products that are also affordable. Sensitive Skin Triggers
What to Look for in a Moisturizer for Sensitive SkinWhen shopping for the best moisturizer for sensitive skin, look for a formula that’s both hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and, if possible, contains ten or fewer ingredients to lessen the risk of reacting. Avoid ingredients like phthalates, fragrances, and alcohol, which may cause irritation or even a bad skin reaction. It’s necessary to note how important it is for moisturizers for sensitive skin to be free of any fragrances, which often contain harsh ingredients that can act as irritants. What’s more, beauty companies are allowed to keep their fragrance ingredients a secret thanks to an industry loophole. Some of the best ingredients for a sensitive skin lotion or cream include:
When a Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin Isn’t EnoughWhether you feel an over-the-counter moisturizer for sensitive skin isn’t helping (or is making your condition worse), don’t waste any more time trying to self-diagnose a sensitive skin condition; make an appointment with a dermatologist or your primary care provider. They’ll likely provide you with a prescription cream or help steer you in the right direction of OTC formulas that are best for you. Some questions you should be prepared for include:
Best Moisturizers for Sensitive SkinFormulyst Super Hyaluronic Water Moisturizer, $29 Related: Best Moisturizers For Oily Skin Avene Skin Recovery Cream, $35 Parcerine is a patented ingredient that calms irritation and redness. It also helps restore any damage to the hydrolipidic barrier, the barrier that protects skin from pollutants and irritants. Glycerin also acts as an emollient, providing hydration and softening skin. Avene thermal spring water is a calming ingredient that also soothes and softens. La-Roche Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer, $19.99 Niacinamide is an excellent ingredient for sensitive skin. Studies have shown the ability to reduce redness or blotchiness, yellowing, and wrinkling. Glycerin is an emollient that helps the skin retain moisture. Ceramide-3 helps soften skin and has been shown to reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) after irritation. According to one study, prebiotic thermal water can help improve skin microbiota diversity and reduce dryness and inflammation. Related: Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin First Aid BeautyUltra
Repair Cream Intense Hydration, $38 This cream also contains an antioxidant booster featuring licorice root, feverfew, and white tea extracts to protect from free radicals, unstable atoms that damage skin cells and accelerate aging. Clinique Moisture Surge 100-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, $56 Hyaluronic acid helps moisturize and plump up wrinkles, while activated aloe water acts as a soothing agent to calm irritated, angry skin. This formula does not contain any potentially irritating fragrances either — fragrances are often the culprits responsible for much of the irritation people suffer from sensitive skin. Philosophy Purity Made Simple Ultra-Light Moisturizer, $28 Vitamin C is a great skincare ingredient that helps fade away dark spots while also stimulating collagen production. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that can help scavenge free radicals. The green tea complex also provides free radical scavenging. Meanwhile, the meadowfoam seed oil and chia oil soften and condition skin to keep it looking luminous and feeling smooth. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, $62 An ingredient called glacial glycoprotein, derived from sea glaciers, stands out due to its ability to thrive in extreme, harsh environments. As a beauty ingredient, it hydrates and protects while also preventing moisture loss. Squalane oil, derived from olives, also hydrates and helps protect against moisture loss. CetaphilDaily Facial Moisturizer, $11.79 Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E Antioxidant Protect + Repair Moisturizer Related: Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream, $8.99 Petrolatum (derived from petroleum) is an emollient that works to condition and soften the skin. Sorbitol is a humectant that draws in moisture to prevent water loss and dryness. Propylene glycol is also a humectant that hydrates skin, making it easier for other active ingredients to become absorbed. It’s used in small amounts in skincare products and shouldn’t be a cause for concern if you’re worried about toxicity. Olay Regenerist
Micro-Sculpting Cream Fragrance-Free, $27.77 Dermalogica Barrier Repair Moisturizer, $49 This formula features the brand’s UltraCalming Complex featuring oat and plant botanicals to protect against environmental aggressors and minimize discomfort from itching and burning sensations. Meanwhile, oil of evening primrose and borage seed oil help protect from irritants. Vitamins C and E work together to combat the free radicals that can lead to barrier damage in the first place. Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: The Final WordThe best face moisturizer for sensitive skin is made with minimal yet powerful ingredients to help relieve an itchy, red, rough, bumpy, and scaly complexion. When shopping for the best moisturizer for sensitive skin, look for a formula that’s both hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and, if possible, contains ten or fewer ingredients to lessen the risk of reacting. Avoid ingredients like phthalates, fragrances, and alcohol, which may cause irritation or even a bad skin reaction. It’s necessary to note how important it is for moisturizers for sensitive skin to be free of any fragrances, which often contain harsh ingredients that can act as irritants. What’s more, beauty companies are allowed to keep their fragrance ingredients a secret thanks to an industry loophole.Some of the best ingredients for a sensitive skin lotion or cream include hyaluronic acid, colloidal oatmeal, vitamin E, niacinamide, and squalane. FAQs Is moisturizer necessary for sensitive skin?A moisturizer is always a good idea regardless of skin type or condition. The key is finding a formula to suit the needs of sensitive skin. That means finding the best moisturizer for dry sensitive skin that addresses redness, bumps, tightness, itchiness, etc. The best moisturizers for sensitive skin to soothe and help prevent further information while protecting the skin’s natural barrier. How do you hydrate sensitive skin?Choose a moisturizer for sensitive skin formulated with humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients will allow your skin to hold onto water molecules and help retain the moisture you supply. Apply your moisturizer to damp skin within a few minutes of washing your face or getting out of the shower for the best results. Why does my skin burn when I apply moisturizer?Aside from having sensitive skin, it’s a pH issue when skin burns after applying a moisturizer. Our skin is naturally acidic, so if it stings, the formula has thrown its pH balance off, meaning it’s not compatible.
Is Vaseline good for sensitive skin?Vaseline is considered a hypoallergenic moisturizer. It’s recommended by dermatologists and has the seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association, which means it is appropriate for use by those with Eczema. Does sensitive skin go away?Sensitive skin is a common condition that means your skin is more prone to reactions such as redness and itching. Most people who have sensitive skin notice occasional or frequent itching, burning, and stinging of patches of skin. Sensitive skin is very treatable, but it may require a visit to a dermatologist. How do you fix sensitive skin?Some general tips for comforting sensitive skin (aside from a face cream for sensitive skin) include:
Sources: Which face moisturizer is best for sensitive skin?Healthline's picks of the best moisturizers for sensitive skin. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.. Simple Kind to Skin Replenishing Moisturizer.. SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore.. Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream for Face.. Kate Somerville Age Arrest Anti-Wrinkle Cream.. Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream.. What is the most recommended moisturizer by dermatologist?And if you need more help choosing your next holy-grail moisturizer, check out the recs from dermatologists below.. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. ... . Senté Dermal Repair Cream. ... . Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. ... . La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer. ... . Epara Moisturizing Face Cream.. What is the healthiest face moisturizer?Healthline's picks for the best face moisturizers. e.l.f. Holy Hydration! ... . Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre.. Osmia Purely Simple Face Cream. ... . Weleda Sensitive Care Facial Cream. ... . Kate Somerville Oil Free Moisturizer.. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream. ... . Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream.. Which product is best for sensitive and dry skin?Healthline's picks of the best skin care products for dry skin. ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica. ... . La Roche-Posay Anthelios. ... . Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen. ... . Sebamed Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. ... . CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar. ... . AmLactin Rapid Relief Restoring Lotion. ... . Ceramedx Ultra Moisturizing Cream.. |