Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
The last time I looked in the mirror, I was stunned. No, the clear, glass skin I so desperately wanted was nowhere to be found—my reactive, acne-prone skin had a new crop of problems to address. I peered over to my skin care case, which houses the best exfoliating toners, anti-aging retinols, and hydrating moisturizers one can dream of, and found the solution: downsizing. As someone with sensitive skin, I understand how an excess of products can wreak havoc on my fragile skin.
“There are sensitive skin conditions where signs of inflammation and sensitivity are more subjective. While we consider people who are living with inflammatory skin conditions like acne and eczema to have 'sensitive skin' because of an impaired epidermal barrier, there are other people who have no overt signs of dermatological disease but have skin that feels uncomfortable or sensitive,” NY-based dermatologist Dr. Evan Rieder tells ELLE.com. Regardless of your skin journey or underlying skin woes, what you put on your face can help or hurt your results. “One helpful question I ask is how they react to products,” Dr. Rieder adds.
Luckily, I've taken the necessary steps to streamline my routine for optimal results. Ahead, shop the 10 best products for sensitive skin, pulled from my routine, as well as top-rated picks from skin experts and customer feedback.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer With Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid
Pros
- Lightweight, non-pilling formula
Cons
- Some reviewers dislike the texture
Vanicream is a brand several dermatologists love, including NY-based dermatologist Dr. Evan Rieder, for its gentle yet effective formula. Featuring hyaluronic acid and ceramides, this daily moisturizer is light enough for fast absorption but rich enough to nourish the skin properly.
Size: 3 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I need to sign up for subscribe and save because this stuff is amazing! Perfect for sensitive skin, has no scent, and is extremely moisturizing!”
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Water Gel
Pros
- Non-greasy finish
Cons
- Strong smell
When building out your routine, a careful moisturizer is essential to balancing out the skin and restoring moisture. Dr. Evan Rieder suggests this drugstore moisturizer is a gem for those with oily skin. The MVP of this formula is hyaluronic acid, which imparts hydration and moisture without leaving a greasy feel behind.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor said: “Expensive does not equate better and this gel moisturizer holds it own to pricier brands. It doesn't feel greasy and I love that the first ingredient is water. It keeps my skin hydrated all day and is great underneath makeup. I find when I use this product, my makeup never looks cakey, even after a long day! Put it in the fridge for a cool relief in the summer.” — Danielle James, digital beauty director, ELLE
Avène Avène Cleanance ACNE Medicated Clearing Treatment 1.3 fl. oz
Pros
- Great for hormonal acne
Cons
- Pricey for the size
Benzoyl peroxide is an ingredient you must use in moderation, especially if you have sensitive skin. While effective at treating and controlling acne, a high percentage can cause damage to the barrier and create even more trouble. This medicated acne treatment is great for spot-treating and uses four percent benzoyl peroxide to kill acne-causing bacteria.
Size: 1.3 fl oz
Avene rating: 5/5 stars
Our expert says: “For people with acneic skin who find that they are sensitive, Avène Cleanance Acne Medicated Clearing Treatment is formulated with four percent benzoyl peroxide, which is the number one acne-fighting ingredient, along with Avène’s thermal waters, which are backed up by hundreds of scientific papers demonstrating how they can soothe sensitive skin.”— Dr. Evan Rieder
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Pros
- Hyaluronic acid and ceramides provide maximum hydration
Cons
- Will need a more clarifying cleanser for frequent breakouts
If your skin is in dire need of hydration, CeraVe's cult-favorite cleanser feels like a fresh glass of water. It doesn't sud as much as most cleansers, thanks to its creamy formula that gently removes dirt, gunk, and makeup that would generally cause acne.
Size: 8 fl oz
Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars
Our expert says: “I was initially thrown off by the non-sudsy formula but I remembered how most foaming cleansers left my skin feeling dry and stripped. This cleanser washes away all impurities and is super hydrating with help from ceramides and hyaluronic acid.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Renee Rouleau Moisture Infusion Toner
Pros
- Balances skin
Cons
- May not be best for super oily skin
During the pandemic, this toner held my skin together while the world was falling apart, and it's a product I return to religiously. Calming and soothing, this formula is packed with vitamins and natural botanicals to increase moisture to create a cushion for any exfoliating ingredients.
Size: 6 fl oz
Renee Rouleau rating: 5/5 stars
A Renee Rouleau reviewer said: “This toner is lovely! It leaves my skin feeling soft. I feel like I've gotten the last trace of cleanser off my skin and given it a refreshing drink of water at the same time. It's very soothing, especially when my skin is feeling extra dry and irritated. I love it!”
Shani Darden Skin Care Signature Nourishing Facial Mask
Pros
- Clay formula soothes skin
Cons
- May not be best for super dry skin
Shani Darden's mask is a bestseller in the beauty bags of so many skin care obsessives (129 Sephora reviews prove this to be true) and a favorite of skin expert Renee Rouleau. Colloidal oatmeal, squalane, and soothing tea extracts combine to calm stressed, irritated skin.
Size: 2.1 fl oz
Sephora rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: “My skin is on the more sensitive side so it usually gets irritated quickly and turns red. This mask actually felt really nice and nourishing on my skin. Instantly feeling more soft and hydrated. Good to use when I need a boost of radiance.”
Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Refillable Face Cream
Pros
- Super moisturizing
Cons
- Can feel heavy
A blend of peptides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and lipids work overtime to strengthen the skin's barrier. With such a rich, moisturizing formula (thanks to shea butter), it's wise to use a little at a time to avoid clogging your pores—one of the leading causes of acne and congestion.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Sephora rating: 4.2/5 stars
Our expert says: “We all have that one night cream that transforms our skin overnight, so we wake up looking youthful and revived. This Skinfix barrier cream is my skin savior. Any time my skin is going through it—i.e dry spots from exfoliating treatments or post-facial care—I reach for this rich cream to boost hydration and plumpness.”
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye
Pros
- Brightens and smoothes the eye area
Cons
- Super pricey
Dry patches or crow's feet can try to ruin your day or, worse, a perfectly blended makeup look. Yes, the price tag is high, but plump, rejuvenated under-eyes—courtesy of caffeine—are well worth the price.
Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Skinceuticals rating: 4.5/5 stars
Our expert says: “I'm not loyal to any particular eye cream, but I do know I want mine to have caffeine and other brightening, firming, and soothing ingredients. As a restless sleeper who doesn't get her full eight hours in, the A.G.E eye cream is like an erase button that makes me look wide awake—even if I feel like a walking zombie.”—NP
Medik8 Liquid Peptides Serum 30ml
Pros
- Hydrates and plumps the skin
Cons
- Takes time to see noticeable results
This serum combines several types of peptides to form a nourishing, hydrating serum that adds a youthful radiance to dull skin. It can also help to diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles and brighten the complexion.
Size: 1 fl oz
Dermstore rating: 5/5 stars
Our expert says: “I never knew a peptide serum was the one thing my routine was missing. My current routine requires retinol a few times a week, but on the other days, I treat my skin with this peptide-rich serum for increased plumpness and smoothness.”—NP
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60
Pros
- High SPF
Cons
- Not best for oily skin
With a high SPF and lightweight formula, this sunscreen from La Roche-Posay melts into the skin to create a protective film that's as moisturizing as it is fast-absorbing.
Size: 1.75 fl oz
Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “For many years i had bad acne went to a dermatologist. She gave a face wash and recommended specifically this sunblock And i love it. Perosnally it dosnet make me breakout i have mix skin. It absorbs well. Leave skin soft prefer it over the ones in mexico. But this wont fit every type of skin. You would just have to find the right one. I love it.”
What causes sensitive skin?
“Sensitive skin may be caused by breaks in the outer layers of the skin (sometimes too hard to visualize with the naked eye), and the resulting sensory experience can be mediated by environmental triggers or things that come in contact with the skin,” Dr. Evan Rieder says.
While your daily regimen and lifestyle can cause skin troubles, sometimes genetics plays a major role in skin sensitivity. “Some people are genetically predisposed for sensitivity, while others are doing something to cause their skin to be sensitive. Most people who struggle with sensitivity fall into the second category, which can result from a whole host of causes. Culprits include makeup with pore-clogging ingredients, certain plant compounds in skincare that can cause allergic reactions, excessive heat, fragrances and essential oils, and over-exfoliation—the list goes on,” Renee Rouleau explains.
How should you treat sensitive skin?
A general rule of thumb in skin care is that less is really more. “I typically recommend simplifying your skincare routine and sticking to products that you know work for you. Also, make sure you introduce new products, especially those with active ingredients, into your routine gradually,” Rouleau adds. When using exfoliating ingredients, it's wise to couple them with hydrating, soothing ingredients. “Products with soothing, calming ingredients help hydrate and balance the skin. And sensitive skin is often the result of a compromised skin barrier, so be sure to look for barrier-supporting ingredients.”
How should you treat sensitive skin?
“In general, simpler products are better, and I would avoid harsh ingredients like exfoliating acids, high-strength benzoyl peroxide (over 5%), and facial scrubs,” Dr. Rieder notes. If you have oily skin, heavy products can clog your pores, so invest in lightweight formulas for your products, especially sunscreens and moisturizers.
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Since joining ELLE.com in 2017, she has interviewed countless skincare professionals and has personally tested the latest and greatest products across makeup, skincare, and hair care.As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, an ELLE.com editor poured over dozen of reviews and consulted experts to find the most effective products for sensitive skin.
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