Best Clean Skincare Products for Sensitive Skin 2024

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Do you struggle with red, itchy or dry skin? If you have sensitive skin, you’re not alone. According to a study, around 70% of the population say they have sensitive skin. 

Skin sensitivities can be caused by having a damaged skin barrier. Keep reading to learn about what your skin barrier is, what helps and harms it, and clean beauty products approved by Yuka and EWG may help your sensitive skin!

Byoma hydrating milky toner, barrier+ repair treatment, and hydrating serum

In this post we will discuss:

What is your skin barrier and why does it matter?

The top layer of your skin (the epidermis) is what is known as your skin barrier. The skin barrier acts as a protection to your skin and your body. 

It protects against factors such as:

  • Pollution
  • UV rays
  • Dehydration
  • Environmental toxins
  • Infection
  • Inflammation
  • Irritation

What damages your skin barrier?

There are many factors that can damage your skin barrier – some are in your control and some aren’t.

External factors that can damage your skin barrier can include:

  • A dry environment
  • Allergens
  • Pollutants
  • Sun exposure

Factors that are in your control can also damage your skin barrier such as:

  • Over exfoliation
  • Hot showers
  • Harsh products
  • Stress

What are signs that your skin barrier is damaged?

If you have flaky skin, or your skin is feeling itchy, dry, rough, discolored, or sensitive then your skin barrier may be compromised. Acne can also be a result of a damaged skin barrier.

How do you look after your skin barrier with skincare?

Using hydrating and gentle skincare products is essential to looking after your skin barrier. Incorporating a mineral SPF into your daily routine is also beneficial to protect your skin from any negative effects from the sun. By looking after your skin barrier, you are looking after your skin health.

What ingredients are helpful for sensitive skin?

Ingredients that help to moisturize and soothe the skin can be helpful for sensitive skin while also keeping the skin barrier healthy. Products that contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides can be beneficial. These ingredients all help with keeping the skin hydrated which in turn, helps to protect the moisture barrier and lessen symptoms of sensitivity.

What ingredients to avoid for sensitive skin?

Many ingredients used in the beauty industry can be irritating to sensitive skin. Products that contain fragrances can be irritating to sensitive skin. Choosing fragrance free products can help to calm sensitive skin and not irritate the skin barrier. Additionally, opting for products without harsh exfoliants can help to protect sensitive and barrier compromised skin as these are common irritants.

Did you know?

Fragrance free products and unscented products are not the same! Unscented products can contain masking fragrances, which are synthetic fragrances that can irritate your skin and cause sensitivity. Make sure to choose fragrance free products instead!

What are the best products to help your skin barrier?

A gentle and hydrating skincare routine without harmful ingredients can be helpful to maintain a healthy skin barrier and lessen symptoms of sensitivity for irritable skin.

Good Molecules hydrating facial gel

What are cleansers and why are they important?

Cleansers are an important part of your daily skincare routine, as they help to clean off products such as makeup and SPF, as well as oil, dirt, and environmental pollutants. It is important to clean your skin properly as if not cleaned properly, your pores can get clogged and lead to skin

Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Gel

This cleanser is a good option for those who want a gentle and fragrance free cleanser. It contains glycerin, a fantastic ingredient for moisturizing the skin. This cleanser is also vegan and cruelty free. This is one of my favorite cleansers as I find it is effective at cleansing but also does not strip my skin or leave it feeling dry. Good Molecules is a great affordable skincare brand that has many clean products available.

Ilia The Cleanse Soft Foaming Cleanser

This gentle cleanser is another good choice for sensitive skin. This cleanser is fragrance free, vegan, and cruelty free. It contains glycerin which is an ingredient that is recommended to help sensitive skin. Ilia says that it is safe for sensitive eyes and skin and is effective for cleansing and removing makeup, SPF, and pollution. This is my current favorite, I personally love a foaming cleanser as it feels extremely gentle while still cleansing my skin well. The clean ingredients are an added bonus!

Why should you use a toner?

Toners are a skincare product that are often overlooked. Toners are extremely versatile and can be useful for any skin type! They can help do everything from adding extra hydration to exfoliating your skin. If you have sensitive skin, this is a great way to add an extra level of hydration and a soothing product to your routine.

Byoma Hydrating Milky Toner

This toner is great for people with sensitive skin and compromised skin barriers. It delivers hydration and comfort while working to maintain a healthy skin barrier. This toner contains ceramides and glycerin that are great for sensitive and dry skin. Byoma hydrating milky toner is dermatologist tested and approved, vegan, cruelty free, and free from alcohol and fragrance. This toner always leaves my skin feeling hydrated and bouncy and does not break me out!

Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence

Another great option for adding an extra layer of hydration is the Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence. This essence delivers instant hydration and calms redness. Adding this product into your routine will help to strengthen (and keep strong) your moisture barrier. This product is accepted by the National Eczema Association so if you have eczema, this could be a great choice for you. With ceramides and glycerin in its ingredient list, it is sure to become your new best friend. I love this toner if I want to add a deep level of hydration to my skin, bonus points that the bottle is so cute!

Pictured are Peach and Lily barrier restore serum and Vanicream daily facial moisturizer

What are face serums and why should you use one?

Like toners, face serums can target a huge range of issues. If you have dry and sensitive skin then a hydrating face serum could be beneficial to add to your routine. Serums should be used after cleansing but before moisturizing. Serums are usually a thinner consistency than a moisturizer which allows them to absorb into the skin quickly.

Byoma Hydrating Serum

The Byoma hydrating serum delivers instant results. Since I tried this serum months ago, I have consistently had it in my daily routine. Not only do I find it is amazingly hydrating, but it also helps to keep my skin clear. It contains ceramides, glycerin, and squalane which are a power team. It is also dermatologist tested and approved, non-comedogenic, vegan, cruelty free, and free from alcohol and fragrance. This serum is also accepted by the National Eczema Association making it a smart choice for very sensitive skin!

Peach & Lily Rescue Party Barrier Restore Serum

The Rescue Party Barrier Restore Serum is another great choice for a barrier supporting serum! This serum contains ingredients such as ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, and glycerin which help to hydrate and maintain a healthy moisture barrier. It is also vegan, cruelty free, as well as alcohol and fragrance free. I enjoy using this serum as it leaves my skin feeling extremely hydrated but is simultaneously very lightweight. This is a great option if you want to incorporate a hydrating serum into your routine and you have a larger budget!

Why should you moisturize?

Moisturizing is a crucial step for all skin types. Moisturizing helps your skin in many ways. It helps to:

  • Maintain a healthy skin barrier
  • Prevents dryness and oiliness
  • Helps acne
  • Prevents signs of aging

Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer

If you have very sensitive skin then this Vanicream moisturizer could be for you. It is free from dyes, fragrance, masking fragrances, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde releasers. It is also non-comedogenic, so it is good for acne prone and sensitive skin. This moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin which are all extremely effective for hydration. I like to use this moisturizer if my skin is feeling particularly sensitive or for when I use an exfoliator with active ingredients and want a gentle and plain moisturizer.

Byoma Barrier + Repair Treatment 

This product can be used as either a thick moisturizer or a leave-on treatment depending on your skin. You could also use it as a night cream if you feel like you need extra hydration at night. It is vegan, cruelty free, dermatologist approved, free from alcohol and fragrance, and accepted by the National Eczema Association. It has an impressive ingredient list that includes ceramides, glycerin, and squalane which makes it a great option for dry, sensitive, and irritated skin.

SPF

You should use SPF every single day regardless of how much time you spend outside, where you live, or your skin type. SPF protects your skin from sun damage including sunburn, skin cancer, and premature aging. If you have sensitive skin, a mineral SPF can be more gentle and less likely to cause reactions than using a chemical sunscreens. Additionally there are safety concerns about the active ingredients in chemical SPFs, such as homosalate and octocrylene.

Thinksport SPF 50 Clear Zinc Face Sunscreen

This face SPF uses zinc oxide as the mineral sunscreen filter. It is dermatologist recommended, non-comedogenic, reef safe, and cruelty free. It contains hyaluronic acid so it helps to moisturize your skin while also protecting it from the sun! Thinksport also claims that it has little to no white cast which is an added bonus!

Supergoop Mineral Matte Screen SPF 40

This SPF also uses zinc oxide as the active ingredient. This sunscreen is vegan, cruelty free, non-comedogenic, and filters blue light. It is good for normal, combination, oily, and sensitive skin. Choosing an SPF without pore-clogging ingredients is crucial if you have acne prone skin. This is a great option for those who want to wear makeup on top of their SPF as it is tinted and blurs and smoothes pores. Mineral matte screen contains glycerin which is beneficial for hydration and in turn, your skin barrier.

Pictured is Ilia foaming cleanser in a Sephora bag

5 Key Takeaways

  • Incorporate effective products without harmful chemicals into your routine.
  • Look for hydrating and gentle ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid.
  • Protect your skin with a mineral-based sunscreen.
  • Avoid harsh ingredients and fragrances.
  • Don’t lose hope – you can find products from clean beauty brands that will help your sensitive skin!

By keeping these points in mind, you can navigate your skincare journey with confidence. Having sensitive skin can be challenging, but with the right information and right skincare products, you can lessen your symptoms and achieve a healthier skin barrier. These gentle and hydrating skin care products that meet the clean beauty standards of EWG and Yuka may be good choices for you!

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