What Ingredients to Avoid for Sensitive Skin (And What to Use Instead)

The Skin Edit  —  Sensitive Skin

What Ingredients to Avoid for Sensitive Skin

And what to use instead

By Lindsey Rapp  ·  Licensed Esthetician  ·  4 Min Read

If your skin reacts easily, becomes red, or feels irritated after using certain products, the ingredients in your skincare may be the problem. Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to use.

The Cause

Why Sensitive Skin Reacts

Sensitive skin usually has a weakened skin barrier, which allows irritants to penetrate more easily, leading to redness, stinging, and inflammation.

Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to use.

The List

Ingredients to Avoid

  • Fragrance, one of the most common irritation triggers, even natural fragrance
  • Harsh exfoliants, which damage the skin barrier and increase sensitivity
  • Alcohol based products, which strip the skin and cause dehydration
  • Strong active ingredients like high strength acids or retinoids
  • Harsh cleansers that leave skin feeling tight

Use Instead

What to Reach For

NeoGenesis Beta Serum

Beta Serum

Calming, barrier-supporting, no fragrance or harsh actives.

Shop  ·  $84
Dermathod Soba Calm Cream

Soba Calm Cream

Gentle enough for reactive skin, still deeply moisturizing.

Shop  ·  $49

Shop the Story

Switch to Gentle Skincare

Shop calming products for sensitive skin.

Shop Beta Serum

Frequently Asked

What ingredients should sensitive skin avoid?Fragrance, harsh exfoliants, alcohol, and strong actives.

Can sensitive skin improve?Yes, by using gentle and barrier supporting products.

Why does my skin react to everything?Your skin barrier may be compromised.

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