Best Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin

Do you find yourself with a little extra time on your hands these days? With the pandemic still forcing many to spend more hours at home, it is the perfect opportunity to develop good habits. Specifically, good skin-care habits! With so much out of our control this year, stress is inevitable. Unfortunately, stress can lead to higher levels of hormones being released in the body–which can cause acne and other noticeable skin conditions like rosacea. We hope that this Best Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin post inspires you. 

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Best Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin

Additionally, wearing those pesky masks all day can create added irritation to your skin. Let’s face it, everybody wants glowing soft skin that they can feel proud of. By taking a little bit of extra time to care for your skin, it will have many benefits in the long run. In this blog, we’ll go over some tips or ideas to implement into your home skin-care routine! 

Taking care of sensitive skin requires a gentle and thoughtful approach. Here's a basic skincare routine you can adapt to your specific needs:

Morning

• Cleanse: Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser formulated for sensitive skin. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or colloidal oatmeal, which are all soothing and hydrating. Avoid harsh scrubs or foaming cleansers, as they can be too irritating. Wash your face with lukewarm water, pat it dry, and avoid rubbing.
• Tone (optional): Toners can help remove any leftover residue and balance your skin's pH. Choose an alcohol-free toner with calming ingredients like rose water or witch hazel.
• Moisturize: Apply a lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. Look for moisturizers with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin to keep your skin hydrated.

Best Face Products for Sensitive Skin   | Best Products for Sensitive Skin

Night

• Cleanse: Repeat the same gentle cleansing routine as in the morning.
• Treat (optional): If your skin tolerates it, you can incorporate a targeted treatment serum. For example, if you have concerns about wrinkles, you could use a retinol serum. However, start slowly and introduce new products one at a time to see how your skin reacts.
• Moisturize: Apply a richer, more hydrating moisturizer than you used in the morning. This will help your skin repair itself while you sleep.

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Best Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin

More Tips

• Be gentle: Avoid harsh scrubbing, rubbing, or picking at your skin.
• Avoid irritants: Look for products that are fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and non-comedogenic (meaning they won't clog your pores).
• Patch test: Before applying any new product to your entire face, test it on a small area of skin first, such as your inner arm. Wait 24 hours to see if you have any reaction.
• Protect your skin from the sun: Sun exposure can worsen sensitivity, so wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days.
• See a dermatologist: If you have concerns about your sensitive skin, or if you're experiencing any persistent irritation, it's best to see a dermatologist for personalized advice.

Best Skincare for Redness Sensitive Skin

Product Recommendations for Sensitive Skin

• Cleansers: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
• Moisturizers: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer, Eucerin Redness Relief Night Cream
• Sunscreens: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60, CeraVe Ultra-Light Hydrating Lotion SPF 30

Best Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin

Sun Protection

Whether you live in sunny San Diego or rainy Seattle, you should still try to protect your skin from the sun daily. Using an SPF on your skin every morning is the ideal way to protect yourself from the hot rays. Oftentimes, you are exposed to the sun without even realizing it, like in buildings or your car. There is also evidence that the blue light on our devices can cause damage to the skin. Therefore, finding a daily moisturizer that also contains at least 15 SPF is a safe bet for your skin.

Wash your face!

Seems easy enough, but it can be easy to forget to wash your face every day. It is recommended to wash your face every morning and night, but if it isn’t already a part of your routine, start off with once a day and move up from there. Not only that but finding a gentle cleanser that works for your skin can also be tricky. A great gentle cleanser that is recommended by most dermatologists is Cetaphil. However, there are many great options out there to choose from. Try to stick to cleansers with fewer ingredients and fragrances. You don’t need too much to get the job done.

Best Skin Care Products for Redness

Moisturize

No matter your skin type, moisturizing is important for healthy skin. If you have oily skin, it may seem counterintuitive to moisturize your face, but it’s still needed. Using a moisturizer before you go to bed helps to keep your skin hydrated throughout the night. Investing in a night moisturizer is another good way to reduce dryness. As mentioned, your morning moisturizer can act as an SPF as well. 

Exfoliate 

Exfoliating periodically can be the missing puzzle piece for your skin. Usually, chemical exfoliants are the best bet for your skincare routine. There are also many options out there like home peeling, which helps to exfoliate and brighten the skin. However, you should limit this to only once or twice a week–as over-exfoliating can damage the skin instead of repair. 

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Best Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin

Get Your Beauty Sleep

They weren’t lying when they said beauty sleep is important. Your body functions to repair and restore your skin and cells as you sleep. So, be sure to get enough rest to allow that process to happen organically. 

Cosmetics

If you wear cosmetics, allow your SPF or moisturizer enough time to set into your skin before applying the makeup. If you decide to wear makeup, try to remove it with a makeup remover before you wash your face–that way you know there is absolutely nothing left. It is not necessary, but try to add a day or two of wear if you wear no skin makeup to give your skin a little break. 

Hydrate 

Believe it or not, staying hydrated throughout the day can help your skin appear fresh and youthful. By drinking plenty of water you help your cells stay hydrated thus reducing any dryness on the surface of the skin. Especially if you’re traveling, your skin may need extra fluids because of changing environments. 

Cerave Anti-Aging Routine

Don’t forget your body skincare routine

We tend to focus on our faces but don’t neglect our bodies. Use a gentle body wash and try to moisturize after the shower or bath. Just like your face, you should apply sunscreen to your body if you know you will be out in the direct sun for a long period.

Image from Depositphotos

Best Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin

Remember, everyone's skin is different, so what works for one person may not work for another. It's important to experiment and find what products and routines work best for you. We hope that this best skincare routine for sensitive skin post inspires you. Good luck!