The 15 Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin, According to Dermatologists
These moisturizers will hydrate your skin without aggravating it further.
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When your face is irritated, the last thing you want do is apply a product that makes it look and feel worse—but that guessing game may be a constant struggle if you have sensitive skin. What you really need is the perfect moisturizer for sensitive skin (but more on that in a few).
“Sensitive skin is not necessarily a clinical diagnosis by dermatologists, but rather meant as skin that may have a higher tendency to react than average,” says Michael Kassardjian, D.O., a board-certified dermatologist in LA. This is due to a weaker skin barrier, which allows irritants—say, from a certain ingredient or colder weather—to penetrate your skin more readily. The result? Redness, itching, or stinging.
Meet the Experts: Michael Kassardjian, D.O., board-certified dermatologist in LA; Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital; David Lortscher, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Curology; Arielle Kauvar, M.D., director of New York Laser & Skin Care and clinical professor of dermatology at NYU School of Medicine.
“Having an occasional sensitization to a product can occur to many people, but an ongoing sensitivity to products and persistent symptoms like redness, irritation, or itching, may indicate a possible underlying condition,” says Dr. Kassardjian, such as eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea.
Sensitive skin is usually pretty dry, too. “Having a thinner or damaged skin barrier allows moisture to escape more easily, causing more dryness and exacerbating this condition,” explains Dr. Kassardjian. “Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for the skin barrier to thin as we age, and therefore some products that may have once been fine to use can later start becoming more irritating and intolerable.” (Check out our favorite moisturizers for dry skin.)
Do I have sensitive skin?
Some people simply have more sensitive skin than others. If your skin regularly feels or looks red, itchy, or inflamed, you might need to seek out gentler skincare products or speak with a dermatologist to determine a possible root cause or irritation. Note: You may be more sensitive during the winter or summer months or after using new products even if you don’t typically experience irritation.
Any new sensation of itching, burning, stinging, redness, dryness, cracking, or acne breakouts is worth investigating. It’s a good idea to discontinue new products if you experience sensitive skin symptoms and to talk to a dermatologist if the symptoms don’t clear up in a few days.
Our top picks
To help you find the best moisturizer for your sensitive skin, we’ve rounded up the best moisturizers for sensitive skin to add to your daily routine, according to dermatologists and reviews. Check out our top picks below:
Emily Shiffer has worked as a writer for over 10 years, covering everything from health and wellness to entertainment and celebrities. She previously was on staff at SUCCESS, Men's Health, and Prevention magazines. Her freelance writing has been featured in Women's Health, Runner's World, PEOPLE, and more. Emily is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she majored in magazine journalism at the Medill School of Journalism and minored in musicology. Currently residing in Charleston, South Carolina, Emily enjoys instructing barre, surfing, and long walks on the beach with her miniature Dachshund, Gertrude.
Madeleine, Prevention’s assistant editor, has a history with health writing from her experience as an editorial assistant at WebMD, and from her personal research at university. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience—and she helps strategize for success across Prevention’s social media platforms.
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