Sensitive skin is prone to inflammation. The best sensitive skin care depends upon what is causing your skin inflammation.

The best moisturizer for sensitive skin is Zerafite Soothing and Calming Barrier Repair Moisturizer. But is this right for you?

We can help you find the best dermatologist-recommended skin care products for sensitive skin.

Once you know which of the 16 Baumann Skin Types you are, look for sensitive skin product reviews from others with your same skin type as you.

There are many good skin care brands to treat sensitive skin, such as:

Avene

Cera Ve

La Roche Posay

PAORR

Vanicream

Vichy

VMV Hypoallergenics

Zerafite

Before buying skin care products to treat sensitive skin, you need to know what type of sensitive skin you have.

There are 4 types of sensitive skin and all require anti-inflammatory ingredients, but the best skin care ingredients for sensitive skin depends on the type of sensitivity you have.

When you shop for sensitive skin care, choose products that also products that treat other underlying skin issues you have such as dry skin, hyperpigmentation and aging.

Taking our quiz is the best way to know if you have sensitive skin and what kind of sensitive skin you have.

Once you know your Baumann Skin Type, we will help you find the best skin care for sensitive skin and your other skin concerns.

Which moisturizer is best depends upon what other skin issues you have.

The very best moisturizer for sensitive skin depends on your skin type.

These are our dermatologist-recommended products for sensitive skin.

The brand Zerafite was developed to treat dry, sensitive skin and shows the maltese cross pattern seen in the best barrier repair moisturizers.

Zerafite is the best brand to treat dry, sensitive skin- but which product is right for you?

1. Zerafite Soothing and Calming Face Cream- Best cream for rosacea. It has many anti-redness ingredients and repairs the skin barrier.
2. Zerafite Wrinkle Defense Barrier Cream - Best cream for dry, sensitive, aging skin. It repairs the skin barrier and protects skin from pollution and other causes of aging.
3. Zerafite Brightening Barrier Cream- Best cream for dry, sensitive skin with melasma. It repairs the skin barrier and soothes skin while lightening hyperpigmentation.
4. Zerafite Barrier Repair Cream- Best noncomedogenic barrier repair cream to treat dry, sensitive skin with acne.
5. Medature PSL Repair Moisturizer- This barrier repair cream also demonstrated the maltese cross pattern under a microscope. Niacinamide, panthenol and green tea soothe skin.

This video discusses which moisturizers have the maltese cross pattern and why it is important. Moisturizers with the maltese cross pattern are the best for dry, sensitive skin.

Oily skin types get clogged pores if they use comedogenic ingredients. Oily, sensitive types need lighter moisturizers for sensitive skin.

Essopi Triple Antioxidant Cream- This moisturizing and soothing cream is non-comedogenic. It is a lightweight moisturizer for sensitive skin on the face. Best for combination sensitive skin

Essopi Triple Antioxidant Serum- This soothing light serum does not clog pores and is perfect for oily sensitive skin types. Has caffeine to reduce facial redness.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Mattifying Moisturizer- This noncomedogenic moisturizer is perfect for sensitive acne prone skin types who want to avoid clogged pores.

PCA Skin ClearSkin- Contains niacinamide, bisabolol, and cucumber to sooth skin. Best for oily, sensitive, acne prone skin.

VMV Hypoallergenics was started by a dermatologist who specializes in contact dermatitis and skin allergy.

Her products do not contain the 100 most common skin allergens.

There is a range of products to treat your skin issues such as hyperpigmentation, acne, and rosacea.

This is one of our favorties:

VMV Hypoallergenics Red Better Daily Calming Moisturizer- This hypoallergenic face cream is for very sensitive skin and allergic skin who complain that every moisturizer burns the face.

The best cleansers for sensitive skin should not have harsh detergents and should have soothing ingredients.

Cleansers do not stay long on the skin but can have a big effect on the skin's pH and skin barrier.

Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel - This foaming gel uses surfactants that do not injure the skin barrier and provide a light foam to clean sensitive skin. This soothing face wash is appropriate for sensitive combination skin. This can be used as a rosacea cleanser.

Zerafite Creamy Cleanser - This moisturizing cleanser deposits soothing lipids on the skin and protects the skin barrier. It is the best soothing cleanser for dry sensitive skin. Super dry skin types use this as a sensitive skin shaving cream for sensitive skin on the face or body.

La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Soap Free Cleanser - This soothing cleanser gently cleanses skin without irritation. This gentle cleanser is not strong enough to remove sunscreen, so we advise using it at night.

SENTE Daily Soothing Cleanser - This cleanser is for skin that is sensitive after having a cosmetic procedure. Great cleanser to use after chemical peeling.

We like the VMV brand for allergic skin.

This is the best hypoallergenic cleanser for dry, sensitive skin:

VMV Hypoallergenics Red Better Deeply Soothing Cleansing Cream - This soothing cleanser is a safe cleanser for sensitive skin that is allergic to many skincare products. It is the best hypoallergenic cleanser for sensitive skin and rosacea because it does not have the 109 most common skincare ingredients that cause an allergic skin reaction.

Toners are not a good for sensitive skin because they often have alcohol that irritates the skin.

However, if you really want to use a toner- these are our dermatologist-recommended toners for sensitive skin:

Medature Energizing Q toner- This sensitive skin toner hydrates hypersensitive skin and reduces facial redness. Coenzyme Q 10 gives the skin energy to help repair any damage from skin inflammation.

Element 47 Skin Fortifying Mist- This gentle toner leaves skin fresh and protected from acne-causing bacteria without causing dryness or irritation. This toner is for dry sensitive skin and oily sensitive skin.

Oils are a great way to soothe sensitive skin. Many oils have soothing fatty acids.

There are many good organic natural oils to use on dry, sensitive skin.

The best natural oils for sensitive skin are:

argan oil

evening primrose oil

borage seed oil

These are dermatologist-recommended oils for sensitive skin:

PAOOR Oil- This soothing natural oil is 100% Argan oil from Morocco. The first press of the Argan nut gives superior oil full of soothing antioxidants and fatty acids like linoleic acid and stearic acid. This soothing oil can be used on any type of inflammation or rash.

ClarityRx Glimmer Of Hope Shimmering Facial Oil- This hydrating oil combines many different soothing oils. This oil is scented. Not the best choice for very allergic skin.

The type of serum you should sue depends upon your skin type. Serums should treat underlying issues like aging, acne, rosacea or melasma in addition to soothing sensitive skin.

Essopi Triple Antioxidant Serum- This lightweight moisturizing serum soothes and calms sensitive skin with green tea, resveratrol and caffeine. This non-comedogenic soothing serum is perfect for oily skin or combination skin.

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel- This soothing serum uses botanical ingredients to calm skin. Keep it in the refrigerator and apply when you need a cooling soothing serum for the face.

Skin care products for sensitive skin should have anti-redness ingredients that soothe and calm skin.

The top 6 ingredients for sensitive skin care products are:

1. aloe vera
2. allantoin
3. argan oil
4. bisabolol
5. green tea
6. niacinamide

Artemesia Capillaris

Bilberry Seed Oil

Chinese Lizard Tail

Ulmus Davidiana Root

Sensitive skin is difficult to treat if you do not understand which type of sensitive skin you have.

The best skincare products for sensitive skin should target all your skin's issues and be paired with the correct products in a comprehensive custum skin care routine.

To know for certain what skincare products to buy for sensitive skin, shop by your Baumann Skin Type®.

References for skin care products for sensitive skin:

1. Baumann L. Chapters 16-19 and 38 in Baumann's Cosmetic Dermatology (McGraw Hill 2022)
2. Baumann L Chapters 64-74 in Cosmeceuticals and Cosmetic Ingredients (McGraw Hill 2015)