When it comes to figuring out skincare, things can get really overwhelming really fast. There are thousands of products on the market, and finding the right one can be a hit or miss. When you have sensitive skin, using the wrong products can mean painful breakouts and flare-ups. So we talked to Dr. Kenneth Mark, a New York based dermatologist who studied at the world renowned NYU Department of Dermatology and has practices in the Hamptons and New York City to get to rundown on the best ways to deal with sensitive skin. We know that all skin is unique, so we also asked some collegiettes like you what tried and true products work best for their sensitive skin.
If you’ve tried a bunch of different products and still can’t seem to get it right, take a look at the ingredients and see if there are any common ones that run throughout the products that were irritating you., and try to avoid those. “We all tend to gravitate towards herbal and plant based things these days, but they are also a potential source of irritants and allergens,” says Dr. Mark. “Alpha hydroxyl acids and retinue acids exe can be very problematic for those with sensitive skin and therefore should be avoided.” These are just some basic things to look for when choosing products if you find the ones below don’t really work for you.
1. Dove Bar Soap
According to Dr. Mark, “Often times those with sensitive skin have allergies, so you want to try to avoid obviously anything you are allergic to.” Dove Bar Soap is a great option because it’s made with relatively simple, sodium based ingredients that will help to gently cleanse your skin. It’s also fragrance free, which is beneficial, since fragrances often irritate sensitive skin.
2. Avéne Hydrance Intense Rehydrating Serum
Avéne is the go-to brand for sensitive skin; their products are known for being restorative and lightweight. “Serums and lightweight products are always a must for sensitive skin,” says Iesha Ismail, a junior at the University of Florida. This Avéne serum is a little on the pricier side, but it’s a good option if you’re looking to invest in a high quality, moisturizing serum.
3. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
This moisturizer is great for all skin types and is especially helpful to combat eczema because it’s made with colloidal oatmeal, which will relieve itching and redness. It has great reviews from women with all types of skin, and many have said that it’s a nice product to have around during an allergic reaction.
4. Lush Aqua Marina Face and Body Cleanser
Lush products are general a safe bet because they’re mostly made with natural ingredients that don’t irritate. “My skin is super sensitive and I’ve found that lush products work the best!” says Kendal Mazzocco, a sophomore at California Polytechnic State University. The Aqua Marina Cleanser is a very gentle cleanser made with aloe vera and calamine that will calm and soothe your skin while exfoliating.
5. Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion
Sometimes the most reliable products are ones that have been around for a while that women still seem to love. “One of my favorites that does not necessarily get a lot of hype is Purpose lotion,” says Dr. Mark. “It is very light in texture, non-irritating, yet also moisturizing.” This moisturizer also has SPF, making it the perfect product to put on in the morning before putting on makeup to keep your skin protected throughout the day.
Related: 7 Holy Grail Skincare Products Every Woman Should Try
6. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater
Everyone and their mother seems to be raving about this Mario Badescu Facial Spray, and for good reason. It’s perfect for a mid-day moisturizing pick-me-up and can be used as a makeup setting spray, hair spray, or a mist right before you go to bed.
7. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
This simple cleanser is perfect for sensitive skin and can be used all over if you’re experiencing breakouts on other parts of your body because of its unique Multivesicular Emulsion formulation. “My dermatologist recommended CeraVe and I’ve never looked back,” says Abby Piper, a senior at the University of Notre Dame. “It’s just a basic face wash—no scents or little exfoliating particles—so it just gets the job done without drying my skin or making me break out.” This is a great product to help build up and restore your skin’s protective functions to prevent future breakouts.
8. Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Dry/Sensitive Skin
Products with dyes and fragrances are probably more likely to irritate sensitive skin, so this Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream is a great lotion to use all over for dry patches and irritated skin that won’t leave you feeling greasy. “I also use Cetaphil moisturizer and it’s never made my face break out,” says Abby.
9. Clinique Acne Solutions
Clinique is a tried and true brand that women with sensitive skin have had luck with over the years. This 3 Step Solutions Kit is good if you want a multi-step regimen using the same brand of products and one that works pretty quickly to clear up breakouts. If trying out new products has been irritating your skin, switching to this multi-step regimen may help calm your skin down and get back on track.
10. St. Ives Apricot Fresh Skin Face Scrub
This apricot scrub is a great exfoliator for all types of skin. “I love St. Ives!” says Náosha Gregg, a senior at Kingsborough Community College. “It cleanses my skin and opens my pores and I find it doesn’t irritate or dry out my skin, like some other products.” If apricot isn’t your thing, St. Ives has many different variations of the same scrub, but the apricot scent is their OG fave.
Finding the right products is going to take some trial and error, so don’t get discouraged if you’ve tried different brands and cleansers and none of them seem to be working. Make sure you keep up with natural ways to keep your skin healthy, like drinking water, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising a few times each week. If you’ve tried many different products and just can’t seem to find the right match, talk to your dermatologist and see what they recommend.