Within the beauty sphere, skin types are often broken down into four categories – Oily, Combination, Dry, and Sensitive. For non-sensitive skin, identifying your skin type and selecting products formulated with that type in mind is a pretty foolproof way to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. However, selecting the best skin care for ‘sensitive skin’ often requires a little bit more consideration. Put simply, different people can have sensitive skin for different reasons, and each reason requires a different solution.
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For the most part, sensitive skin and its effects can be attributed to one or more of the following:
- Natural sensitivity: Occurs due to skin conditions like Eczema, Psoriasis and Rosacea and can cause the skin to become red, flaky, itchy and cracked. It can be triggered by dry air, heat fragrances and detergents.
- Environmental sensitivity: Occurs due to reduced tolerance for constant factors like pollution, wind, sun exposure and cigarette smoke, as well as seasonal factors like pollen and changes in humidity and temperature. Environmentally sensitive skin can feel tight, dry, itchy and swollen.
- Reactive sensitivity: Occurs due to reduced tolerance for common topical ingredients such as detergents, fragrances and skincare actives. When triggered, reactive skin can become painful, red and cracked. In some cases, small papules can also emerge where the irritant was placed.
- Thin skin: Occurs naturally as we age and can result in increased sensitivity to all stressors.
No matter your sensitivity type, Australia’s current mix of cold winter air, wind, and indoor heating can leave the skin feeling extra dry and prone to irritation. Scientific and Education Communications Manager of SkinCeuticals Australia, Dr Tania Romano, explains that in the winter months, it is common for existing sensitivities to become exacerbated and that “it is essential to use a moisturiser that will replenish hydration in the skin to counteract the environmental effects of cold winter air.”
Read on to discover our favourite moisturisers, serums and creams for sensitive skin this winter…
1. SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel Soothing Serum
Best For: Naturally sensitive and environmentally sensitive skin.
This soothing gel serum combines Hyaluronic Acid with Cucumber and Olive Extract to deeply hydrate, even redness, and protect against irritants.
RRP $105.00AUD – 30ml
2. CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Best For: All sensitive skin types, particularly natural and reactive sensitivity.
Trusted by dermatologists and beauty editors across the world, CeraVe’s daily moisturiser is lightweight, fragrance-free, and packed with Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid to help hydrate even the most sensitive of skin types. It also has the Eczema Association of Australia stamp of approval.
RRP: $12.69AUD – 236ml
3. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Best For: Natural and reactive sensitivity
A lightweight and fragrance-free version of First Aid Beauty’s cult favourite Ultra Repair Cream. Packed with hydrating oils that won’t clog pores and ceramides to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, the Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration works wonders for natural and reactive sensitivity.
RRP: $48.00AUD – 50ml
5. Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream
Best For: Environmental sensitivity
Formulated to soothe the effects of environmental irritation like redness, stinging and swelling, Avène’s Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream is luxuriously thick, fragrance-free and deeply nourishing.
RRP: $30.69AUD – 40ml
6. Embryolisse Lait-Creme Sensitive Cream
Best For: All skin types
For decades, Embryolisse’s Lait-Creme Concentre has been a must have for makeup artists and skincare aficionados everywhere due to its incredible 5-in-1 formula. The new Lait-Creme Sensitive contains all of the benefits of the original in a new lightweight, fragrance-free formula. It’s gentle enough to use as a makeup remover, hydrating face mask, primer, moisturiser and soothing after shave.
RRP: $38.39AUD – 100ml
7. REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream
Best For: Environmental sensitivity, natural Sensitivity and thin skin
Infused with nonirritating and antioxidant-rich Black Currant Seed, Camellia and Sea Buckthorn Oil, REN’s Ever Calm Day Cream soothes chronic redness and dryness by strengthening the skin and boosting tolerance from within. Once applied, it also protects against further environmental irritation.
RRP: $73.00AUD – 50ml
8. Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
Best For: Environmental sensitivity and thin skin
A thick, non-greasy moisturiser formulated to soothe existing irritation and restore damaged moisture barriers. With a hydrating and plumping blend of Squalene, Omega Fatty Acids and Ceramides, Biossance’s Repair Cream works wonders as a nourishing overnight treatment.
RRP: $89.00AUD – 50ml
9. MooGoo Skin Milk Udder Cream
Best For: All skin types, particularly naturally sensitive skin
A lightweight cream infused with elasticity-boosting Milk Protein that keeps sensitive skin strong, supple and deeply hydrated. Initially formulated by MooGoo founder Craig Jones to help his mother treat her Psoriasis, Skin Milk has risen to cult status among those with naturally sensitive skin thanks to its simple, gentle and highly effective ingredients.
RRP: $12.90AUD – 120g
10. Vaseline
Best For: Natural sensitivity, environmental sensitivity and thin skin
Clinically proven to heal dry, damaged skin, Vaseline is a simple and effective solution for keeping sensitivity-triggered symptoms like dryness, cracking and irritation at bay. As an occlusive, Vaseline doesn’t hydrate the skin, but by forming a protective barrier, it prevents transepidermal water loss and skin irritation from environmental factors. Vaseline can be used as a makeup remover, overnight mask and spot treatment for flare-ups.
RRP: $5.99AUD – 369ml
11. QV Dermcare Stingfree Ointment
Best For: Natural and reactive sensitivity
A soothing ointment infused with strengthening ceramides, protective irritant repellants, and hydrating emollients and oils. Suitable for cracked and actively irritated skin, Dermcare works well as both a daily moisturiser and soothing treatment for flare-ups. It also has the Eczema Association of Australia’s seal of approval.
Remember, patch testing a product is always a good idea, especially for sensitive skin. Before applying a new product to your face, we recommend testing a small amount on your inner arm for at least 24 hours.
RRP: $10.39AUD – 100g
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