So, You Think You Have Sensitive Skin? Here's What Experts Are Desperate for You to Know
Everything experts want you to know about caring for your sensitive skin, plus the best products to consider.

- What Is Sensitive Skin?
- What Are the Signs of Sensitive Skin?
- What Causes Sensitive Skin?
- How Should You Treat Sensitive Skin?
- What Are the Best Ingredients for Sensitive Skin?
- Best Cleansers for Sensitive Skin
- Best Toners Exfoliators for Sensitive Skin
- Best Serums for Sensitive Skin
- Best Moisturisers for Sensitive Skin
- Best SPFs for Sensitive Skin
Denise Primbet
Let's face it, sensitive skin is a term that gets thrown around a lot. Take a look at virtually any skincare campaign and you'll see labels like "sensitive-skin friendly" or "made for sensitive skin," and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
With the rise of barrier-repair products, more consumers are now prioritising long-term skin health over immediate results. We've moved well past the good old "if it stings, it works" approach, resulting in us ditching harsh actives and intense exfoliators in favour of more gentle yet equally hard-working formulas.
If you’ve ever experienced redness, irritation or inflammation after using a specific product or layering one too many serums, then it’s likely that your skin is experiencing some form of sensitivity, and the truth is, we’re all vulnerable to it.
That’s right; contrary to popular belief, sensitive skin isn’t actually a skin type; it’s a skin condition. This means that sensitivity is something that can occur in anyone’s skin, regardless of what their skin type is, and while some people may experience signs of sensitivity on a daily basis, for others, sensitivity can flare up just a few times a year.
The thing is, our skin can only take so much, no matter how resistant you think it is. After years of cocktailing active skincare ingredients, I learned this the hard way as a teenager when my combined use of exfoliating toners and retinoid serums resulted in a nasty outbreak of perioral dermatitis, a painful inflammatory rash that develops in cases of extreme sensitivity.
Ever since then, I’ve learned to treat my skin as sensitive—using calming ingredients alongside active ones and focusing on strengthening my skin barrier—despite my main skin type being oily and acne-prone.
But what exactly is sensitive skin? What causes sensitive skin? And what can be done to prevent skin sensitivity? Dealing with sensitive skin can be tricky, as you’re constantly wary of trying new things, and it can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause. So to answer your most pressing sensitive-skin questions, we enlisted the help of skincare experts and dermatologists. Here’s everything you need to know about sensitive skin.
What Is Sensitive Skin?
"Sensitive skin can mean different things for different people," says Catriona Maybury, consultant dermatologist and medical lead for Dermatica. "Generally speaking, people often describe skin sensitivity as dryness or irritation, which can be a result of using a particular ingredient in cosmetics." Other potential triggers can include things like our diets, environment, hormones and genetics. "Often, people with sensitive skin either have eczema or a family history of eczema," adds Maybury. "And other conditions, such as rosacea, may also make skin more sensitive."
What Are the Signs of Sensitive Skin?
While symptoms can vary, according to Maybury, the main signs of sensitive skin are itching, dryness, skin that is warm to touch or tingles, and inflammation. "Inflammation can appear as pink or red rashes in lighter skin types, and purple or brown rashes in darker skin types," she explains. For most people, one of the first signs that skin sensitivity is increasing is a tingling or stinging sensation after applying products. If you were to continue applying it or not take any measures to soothe your skin, then redness and inflammation would quickly follow.
What Causes Sensitive Skin?
"There are a great number of factors that can contribute to our skin feeling sensitive," explains Maybury. "An underlying skin condition, such as eczema, can contribute to a tendency to dryness and sensitivity. Internal factors such as genetics and hormonal changes seen in menopause can play a role, along with external factors such as temperature changes, wind and UV light, which can disrupt the skin barrier."
Of course, skincare products are another major potential trigger. "Skincare is becoming more active-led; where active ingredients such as retinoids and antioxidants are being incorporated into skincare products and routines," says Maybury. "These stronger ingredients can cause a degree of skin irritation in anyone as part of their normal mechanism, which can be perceived as skin sensitivity."
This irritation is especially common when first starting to use these products or if they are used too often or at frequent intervals. "Some products can lead to a degree of irritation, particularly with recurrent use and in those with underlying skin conditions," she adds. "Examples include ingredients which can be damaging to the skin barrier such as alcoholic hand sanitisers and drying soaps. This is called an irritant contact dermatitis."
How Should You Treat Sensitive Skin?
If you are experiencing sensitive skin, it’s important to work out if there has been a change in your skin routine or environment first and foremost. "New formulations or active ingredients may lead to some irritation, so it’s really important to keep your routine as simple as possible before you introduce a new ingredient," says Maybury. She recommends introducing new products gradually to see how your skin responds to each one.
"It is common to experience sensitivity during weather and temperature changes," she adds. "Using a thicker, hydrating moisturiser regularly, particularly during the winter will help." Sunscreen is also one of the most effective products in a routine for sensitive skin, since harmful rays of UV light can trigger inflammation, leading to burning and increased sensitivity. "Use of sunscreen before going outdoors is particularly important between April and October in the UK," says Maybury. "There are more UV rays present, which can burn the skin and increase sensitivity."
If getting to the root of your sensitive-skin issues proves particularly difficult, plastic surgeon and founder of 111 Skin and 111 Harley St, Yannis Alexandrides, recommends seeing a dermatologist or aesthetician who can conduct tests to find out the cause. "Find out firstly what is causing your reactive skin and get a specialist to recommend a product and in-clinic protocol to best treat it.
Then, focus on strengthening the skin's barrier function,” he advises. "Most importantly, don’t ignore the issue, never neglect daily sunblock, and don’t experiment with home remedies or over-exfoliation.” If you’re considering a professional in-salon treatment, Alexandrides recommends IPL (intense pulsed light). "This can help take down redness and calm inflamed, reactive skin, especially if someone has been diagnosed with rosacea,” he adds.
What Are the Best Ingredients for Sensitive Skin?
When experiencing sensitivity, it's best to adopt a simple skincare routine, removing active ingredients (like exfoliating acids and retinoids) and focussing on soothing and calming skin with gentle cleansers, cooling mists and nourishing moisturisers. Look out for ingredients that reduce inflammation, such as cica, green tea, and niacinamide, but also ingredients that will help to strengthen your skin, like ceramides and colloidal oatmeal.
Best Products for Sensitive Skin
Best Cleansers for Sensitive Skin
"This CeraVe cleanser includes hyaluronic acid to hydrate your skin after every use and ceramides, which help keep the skin barrier intact,” says dermatologist Alexis Granite. "The non-irritating formula works well for all skin types but especially for sensitive and dry skin.”
This basic (in a good way) cleanser is completely free from all potential irritants, meaning that even if you need to double-cleanse, you can do so without fear of aggravating sensitive skin. What’s more, it leaves skin feeling calm and soothed thanks to ingredients like niacinamide, oat milk and ceramides.
Best Toners Exfoliators for Sensitive Skin
When sensitivity flares up and skin feels hot and itchy, this cooling toner provides instant calming relief. It combines anti-inflammatory chamomile, redness-soothing mallow, and hydrating hyaluronic acid. Hands down, one of the best formulas for sensitive skin we've tried.
"I've been absolutely swearing by this clever formula from Laneige for the past year now, and with good reason. Combining the weightless feel of a toner and the intense nourishment of a moisturiser, this hybrid essence-like liquid delivers an instant boost of hydration alongside a lovely soothing feel," says Who What Wear beauty contributor Denise Primbet.
If you still want to reap the benefits of exfoliation, minus the irritation, try out this exfoliating toner, which combines salicylic acid with soothing green tea and oat extracts. It’s so gentle that it’s even suitable for rosacea-prone skin.
Best Serums for Sensitive Skin
Peptides are all the talk in the skincare industry right now, and this genius science-backed serum from Medik8 is nothing short of impressive. Formulated with the brand's unique biotechnology that utilises dual "mini" proteins, this serum is particularly great for mature skin. It helps reduce the appearance of even the deepest wrinkles in a matter of weeks, leaving you with a plumper and more radiant complexion.
Whether you have rosacea or if you're no stranger to experiencing occasional redness, this dermatologist-backed serum is a must-try. Enriched with hyaluronic acid and various botanical extracts, it has a lightweight yet surprisingly hydrating feel. "It's the only serum that actually helped me reduce redness over time. Plus, its glow-boosting nature adds a lovely 'lit-from-within' glow that I always look to achieve with any product," says Denise.
Wholesale Replica Bag to join Tatcha's impressive skincare portfolio, this serum is a great option for those of us looking for that smoothing and firming effect. Boosted with the brand's Okinawa Cellescence Complex, bio-active lipids and prebiotics, this clever formula supports the skin's long-term health and helps stimulate its collagen production.
Packed with potent antioxidants, glycolipids and vitamin E, this incredibly gentle serum from Dr. Loretta is especially formulated to soothe, soften and strengthen the skin. "Above all, I love its silky texture that cocoons my skin immediately, delivering lasting hydration and a radiant glow. It's my go-to whenever I experience any flare-ups," says Denise.
Best Moisturisers for Sensitive Skin
Everyone knows that when it comes to quality skincare, French skincare brands don't mess around. "One of my recent favourite moisturisers has to be this nourishing cream from Mimétique, which has been instrumental in my rosacea-friendly skincare regimen. It managed to quench my skin's thirst better than most of the moisturisers I've tried, and leaves it well-hydrated for hours on end," says Denise.
"I've been raving about this Korean moisturiser from Aestura for the better part of the last few years. In fact, I've managed to empty three whole tubes just this year, and that's no mean feat. Infused with ceramide-rich capsules, this clever cushioning formula goes on the skin like silk and manages to hydrate my skin all year round. Not too greasy, not too lightweight and fragrance free—a dream for sensitised skin," says Denise.
Think of it like a bandage for sensitive skin. This thick cream provides the ultimate soothing relief for patches of extremely irritated and sore skin. It not only feels cooling and soothing upon application but also draws upon the benefits of cica to target redness and inflammation.
Attempting to conceal the redness that comes hand in hand with sensitivity can be a vicious cycle, since makeup has the potential to cause further irritation. Fortunately, this skincare-makeup hybrid is just the ticket. The silky cream has a subtle green tint, which helps to cancel out redness, while cica works to target irritation in the long term. Plus, the added SPF30 protection only makes it that much more convenient.
Best SPFs for Sensitive Skin
It's no secret that Korean SPFs are the gold standard, and this best-selling sunscreen from Beauty of Joseon is easily one of the best sensitive-skin-friendly formulas around. Offering SPF50+ protection, this weightless sun cream is infused with probiotics, as well as ginseng extract, green tea and niacinamide, making it particularly great for inflamed skin or acne-prone skin.
Utilising the moisturising properties of glycerin, squalane, and hyaluronic acid, this nourishing formula not only strengthens the skin barrier but also has broad-spectrum SPF 50 to protect skin from UV-triggered inflammation.
Why Trust Us
AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
Grace Day is a beauty editor and content creator. She has over 10 years of beauty-industry experience, spanning editorial, retail, and e-commerce, which gives her a unique understanding into how people shop for their beauty routines.
While studying for a history degree (specialising in the history of beauty) and working as a beauty adviser in department stores, Grace started writing her own beauty blog in order to share the products she discovered while dealing with acne. After graduating, she moved to Beauty Bay as beauty editor and content manager. Grace is currently a beauty contributor toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing
. She has also written for Hypebae and PopSugar and works as a brand consultant and copywriter.
- Denise PrimbetBeauty Contributor
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