Stock up on the good stuff.
By Daley Quinn
Raise your hand if most skincare products either cause a breakout, provoke an eczema flare up, or dry your skin out to the extreme. Hello, sensitive skin friends!
“For people who suffer from sensitive skin, it’s important to use products that are gentle and non-irritating,” says Shari Marchbein, M.D., NYC-based board-certified dermatologist.
Look for products that are anti-inflammatory and feature soothing ingredients like oats, centella asiatica, or green or white tea to help repair and protect your skin’s barrier.
These are the best moisturizers for sensitive skin—all dermatologist-approved.
1AVEENO ULTRA-CALMING NOURISHING NIGHT CREAM, FRAGRANCE FREE, 1.7 OUNCE
“Feverfew is a botanical extract that helps calm inflammation,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. This fragrance-free moisturizer “can be used on people who have sensitive skin, facial redness, or even rosacea.”
2TATA HARPER SKINCARE CRÈME RICHE
“This all-natural moisturizer contains emollient ingredients like jojoba seed oil and olive oil along with antioxidants like green tea,” says Zeichner.
3VASELINE EXTREME DRY SKIN RESCUE HAND AND BODY LOTION – 1OZ
“For people who suffer from sensitive skin, it’s important to use products that are gentle and non-irritating,” says Shari Marchbein, M.D., NYC-based board-certified dermatologist. “This pick is one of my favorites because it’s hypoallergenic, fragrance free, and is specially formulated to deliver and seal in moisture.”
4NEUTROGENA HYDRO BOOST HYALURONIC ACID HYDRATING FACE MOISTURIZER GEL-CREAM TO HYDRATE AND SMOOTH EXTRA-DRY SKIN, 1.7 OZ
“Hyaluronic acid is like a sponge that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, is the ultimate skin hydrator, and can be used even on people who have extra dry and sensitive skin,” says Zeichner.
5CERAVE FACIAL MOISTURIZING LOTION PM ULTRA LIGHTWEIGHT 3 OZ
“Ceramides are like spackle that fill in cracks between skin cell tiles in the outer skin layer,” says Zeichner. This product also has niacinamide to help calm inflamed skin.
6SISLEY BOTANICAL CONFORT EXTREME NIGHT SKIN CARE, 1.6-OUNCE JAR
“This rich cream contains shea butter and squalene to soften and protect the outer skin layer, along with arnica and echinacea to soothe inflammation,” says Zeichner.
7EAU THERMALE AVÈNE SKIN RECOVERY CREAM, 1.69 FL. OZ.
This brand is perfect for those with sensitive skin. “They focus on using the least amount of ingredients as possible and are effective at fortifying the skin barrier, which is important for people with sensitive skin,” says New York City-based dermatologist Dendy Engelman, M.D.
8VANICREAM MOISTURIZING SKIN CREAM WITH PUMP FOR SENSITIVE SKIN – CAN BE USED FOR ECZEMA, PSORIASIS, ICHTHYOSIS, AND ITCH – DERMATOLOGIST TESTED – FREE OF DYE, FRAGRANCE, AND PRESERVATIVES – 16 OZ
“This is one of the smartest and most underrated products at the drugstore,” says Rachel Nazarian, M.D., New York City-based dermatologist. Vanicream contains essential ingredients, like ceramides, to improve sensitive, dry skin. “Plus, it doesn’t contain ingredients that can be irritating to sensitive skin: no parabens, fragrances or perfumes.” It’s safe to use on your face and body.
9FIRST AID BEAUTY ULTRA REPAIR CREAM INTENSE HYDRATION, 6 OZ
Another great brand that prides itself on treating those with sensitive skin. “A lot of eczema patients love this product as it moisturizes and protects skin without having ingredients that would further irritate it,” says Engelman.
10PROACTIV GREEN TEA MOISTURIZER, 3 OUNCE
This pick contains naturally anti-inflammatory green tea and chamomile extract. Plus, “the hyaluronic acid draws water into the skin for longer lasting hydration,” says Nazarian.
11DERMAL REPAIR CREAM – 50ML
“This product contains heparin sulfate analog, a substance found naturally in skin that makes it healthy, strong, and more youthful appearing,” says Nazarian. “Even the most sensitive-skin patient can use this product without issue.”