Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin: A Simple Step-by-Step

The best skincare routine for sensitive skin is a short one: a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser and, in the morning, a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Add one new product at a time, patch test it first and leave out anything you do not need.

Sensitive skin is defined by unpleasant sensations such as stinging, burning or tingling in response to things that should not normally cause them, and the skin can look completely normal. A shorter routine gives you fewer things to blame when something stings.

What counts as sensitive skin?

An international expert panel defined sensitive skin as "a syndrome defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations (stinging, burning, pain, pruritus, and tingling sensations) in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke such sensations." The panel also noted that these sensations cannot be explained by lesions from any skin disease, and that the skin can look normal or show redness (Misery et al., Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 2017).

It is also very common. A meta-analysis of 26 studies covering about 51,800 people estimated that around 40% reported moderate or very sensitive skin.

The authors point out that these figures come from self-reporting and may be overestimated in questionnaire-based studies (Chen et al., JEADV, 2020). So "sensitive" describes how your skin feels, not a diagnosis.

What is the best morning skincare routine for sensitive skin?

Keep the morning to three steps.

1. Cleanse lightly, or just rinse. For dry or sensitive skin, washing once a day in the evening may be enough, and harsh cleansing or scrubbing can irritate. If you do cleanse in the morning, choose a gentle formula and pat dry.
2. Moisturise. Apply a small amount to face and neck. If you want a serum, pick one and apply it before the moisturiser.
3. Finish with sunscreen. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF50 or SPF50+ and reapply every two hours, and straight after swimming, sweating or towel-drying. If one sunscreen stings your face, try another formula rather than skipping sun protection.

What is the best night routine for sensitive skin?

At night, take off your sunscreen and the day's buildup, then finish with a moisturiser.

1. Cleanse gently. Massage onto damp skin, rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
2. Treatment, only if you already tolerate it. This step is optional. If you use an active such as an exfoliating acid or a vitamin A product, use one at a time and not on irritated skin. Our guide to using retinol on sensitive skin covers that in detail.
3. Moisturise.

Wondering whether a step goes before or after another? See the correct order to apply your skincare.

What should sensitive skin avoid?

The pattern behind most of this advice is the same: fewer variables.

• Added fragrance. Added scents can trigger irritation or allergic reactions, so go fragrance-free where you can. Check the ingredient list, not just the front of the pack.
• Scrubbing and over-cleansing. Harsh cleansing or scrubbing can irritate the skin.
• Starting several new products at once. If skin reacts, you will not know which one caused it.
• Layering strong actives together. Sensitive skin can use actives, but one at a time and in a routine that is otherwise simple.

How do you patch test a new skincare product?

Test on a quarter-sized spot where the product will not be rubbed or washed away, such as the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow. Apply the amount you would normally use, twice a day for seven to 10 days. Watch for red, itchy or swollen skin.

If you see no reaction after 7 to 10 days you can start using the product. If you do react, wash it off gently as soon as possible and do not use it again.

How do you add new products without upsetting your skin?

Introduce one new product at a time and keep the rest of your routine exactly the same while you do. Use the patch test window above as your minimum, and stop if anything stings, burns or swells. If your skin already feels tight, stingy or reactive, our guide to skin barrier repair explains what to look for before adding anything new.

What could a simple routine look like with Dope Skin Co products?

If you gave up on a product because your skin did not like it, you do not have to give up on improving your skin. The aim is a short routine where every step has a clear job.

Our Skincare for Sensitive Skin collection groups the products we make for this. A starting point from it:

• Antioxidant Gel Cleanser for the cleanse step. Its ingredient list includes a naturally derived fragrance, so if you are avoiding fragrance completely, read the list and patch test first.
• Calming Collagen Serum as the single serum. There is no fragrance in its ingredient list.
• Antioxidant Moisturiser for the moisturise step. It contains sweet almond oil, so it is not suitable if you have a nut allergy.

Not sure where to start? The Dope Skin Co skincare quiz takes about two minutes and suggests a routine for your concerns. Always read the full ingredient list and patch test, as above.

Frequently asked questions

How many products should a sensitive skin routine have?

Three is enough to start: a cleanser, a moisturiser and, in the morning, a sunscreen. Add anything else one product at a time.

Should I wash my face twice a day if I have sensitive skin?

Not necessarily. For dry or sensitive skin, washing once a day in the evening may be enough. In the morning you can rinse with water or use a gentle cleanser if you need one.

Can sensitive skin use exfoliating acids, vitamin C or retinol?

Some people with sensitive skin do, but not all at once and not on skin that is already irritated. Add one, patch test it and keep the rest of the routine simple. For vitamin A, start with our guide to retinol and sensitive skin.

Is fragrance-free always better for sensitive skin?

Fragrance-free is the safer bet, because added scents can trigger irritation or allergic reactions. A "fragrance-free" label does not guarantee you will not react to something else in the formula, so patch testing still applies.

How long should I wait before deciding a product does not suit me?

A patch test runs for seven to 10 days on a small area. Stop straight away if a product stings, burns, itches or causes swelling.

When should I see a doctor about sensitive skin?

If you have a rash, swelling, blistering or redness that does not settle after you stop a product, it is worth getting checked. Sensitive skin is a description of sensations, and conditions such as eczema or contact dermatitis need a proper assessment.

Sources

• Misery L, et al. Definition of Sensitive Skin: An Expert Position Paper from the Special Interest Group on Sensitive Skin of the International Forum for the Study of Itch. Acta Derm Venereol. 2017;97:4-6.
• Chen W, Dai R, Li L. The prevalence of self-declared sensitive skin: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34(8):1779-1788.
• American Academy of Dermatology: A dermatologist's guide to skincare
• American Academy of Dermatology: How to test skin care products
• Cancer Council Australia: Advice on how to choose, apply and store sunscreen