The Best Products and Practices for Sensitive Skin, According to a Dermatologist

Wouldn’t it be nice to try the latest trending face mask without fear of your skin reacting to it? If you have sensitive skin or a skin condition like eczema, rosacea or persistent acne, trying new products often feels like a gamble. As someone who's had sensitive skin for most of my life, I've put together a list of nine tried-and-true skincare products that are specifically formulated to soothe even the most reactive complexions (that I can personally vouch for) and I consulted a board-certified dermatologist for some additional guidance on what to look for and avoid in products.

Dr. Shereene Idriss is a board-certified dermatologist, founder of Idriss Dermatology in NYC and founder of science-backed skincare line, Dr. Idriss. After graduating magna cum laude from the seven-year Medical Honors Program at The George Washington University, Dr. Idriss completed a research fellowship at Harvard University, and finalized her dermatology training at Tufts Medical Center in Boston before relocating to New York City. Dr. Idriss is currently a Clinical Instructor in Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and before that she was a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at NYU. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the Dermatologic Society of Greater New York and the Women’s Dermatologic Society.

"Identifying sensitive skin can be tricky, but there are some common signs that can help you figure it out," says Dr. Idriss. "If your skin often looks red and blotchy, you’re sensitive to environmental factors or you can’t tolerate fragrance in your skincare products, chances are you have sensitive skin," she explains.

Another thing to note: People who have eczema or rosacea have a compromised skin barrier, which is a sign of sensitive skin. This type of skin is often inflamed, red and easily irritated.

"If you have sensitive skin, you want to look for products that are gentle, fragrance-free and even hypoallergenic," says Dr. Idriss. "And if you need help building an appropriate skincare routine for your skin and you don’t know where to start—or you’ve tried navigating skin concerns on your own, but haven’t been successful in the process, it's always a good idea to see a board-certified dermatologist for guidance."

Again, because it bears repeating: If you have sensitive skin, first look for products that are labeled gentle, fragrance-free and even hypoallergenic. As for specific ingredients that might help, a few include:

• Glycerinc
• Ceramides
• Squalane

"Exfoliating acids and retinol can be tricky if you have sensitive skin, but that doesn’t mean you have to completely avoid them," shares Dr. Idriss. "The key is to go low and slow. PHAs or polyhydroxy acids are best suited for sensitive skin (as opposed to stronger AHAs and BHAs). As for retinol, if your skin can tolerate it, look towards the gentlest retinol at the lowest percent over the counter. You can also buffer this step in your routine by applying it after your serum and moisturizer," she adds.

Finally, some parting advice from Dr. Idriss that always applies when it comes to trying out new products, but especially if you have sensitive skin: Approach cautiously and as always patch test first!