How to Manage Sensitive Skin in Different Skin Types

Dry sensitive skin

Skin that is both sensitive and dry often feels tight and uncomfortable due to a lack of hydration, and you might notice other symptoms like redness, itching and burning.⁴ Dry sensitive skin is often associated with a weakened skin barrier that allows moisture to evaporate and irritants to enter the skin.³

If you have dry sensitive skin, focus on providing the skin with moisture. A product with hyaluronic acid can help because of its hydration benefits,⁵ and othe ngredients, like niacinamide, can help soothe the skin.⁶ Ingredients like ceramides can help restore your skin’s barrier, which is often impaired in sensitive skin.³ When choosing a face wash for dry sensitive skin, look for a gentle formula designed to effectively cleanse without stripping your skin of its natural oils⁷ or consider using micellar water And don't forget to moisturize often.³

Oily sensitive skin

Managing oily sensitive skin can be challenging, especially when certain ingredients cause signs of irritation like redness, burning and stinging. A gentle, fragrance-free foaming face wash for sensitive oily skin can help effectively remove excess oil, dirt and debris without over-drying or aggravating skin prone to reactions.⁷ If you have oily sensitive skin, look for cleansers and moisturizers that are labeled as oil-free and non-comedogenic,⁹ and consider products with additional ingredients, like ceramides to help restore the skin’s barrier,¹⁰ hyaluronic acid for hydration⁵ and niacinamide to help soothe your skin.⁶

Sensitive acne prone skin

Sensitive acne prone skin can be one of the most difficult to manage, simply because some blemish-fighting ingredients can cause irritation even in those who don’t struggle with increased sensitivity.⁸ Like those with oily sensitive skin, people with sensitive acne prone skin may also prefer non-comedogenic, oil-free skincare products⁹ as well as fragrance-free formulas to minimize fragrance-related sensitive skin reactions.²

A good face wash for sensitive acne-prone skin is a mild cleanser that leaves your skin feeling fresh and clear of excess oil, dirt and makeup without causing stinging, burning or a tight, uncomfortable feeling after cleansing.⁷ Cleansers and moisturizers with additional ingredients like ceramides to help restore the barrier,¹¹ hyaluronic acid for extra moisture⁵ and niacinamide to help soothe your skin⁶ may offer additional benefits. Sunscreen is essential for all skin types—and especially sensitive acne-prone skin due to potential increased sun sensitivity caused by some acne treatments. If you are unsure of which sunscreen to use, ask your dermatologist.