Sensitive Skin Skincare: Your Complete Guide

Is your skin easily irritated? Do you struggle with allergic flare-ups or redness? Chances are you got ‘Sensitive’ as your Skin Quiz result – and we’re here to tell you exactly what to do about it.

Constantly battling redness, irritation, and discomfort can make finding the right products and building an effective skincare routine can feel like an endless trial-and-error process. But with the right approach and gentle ingredients, achieving calm, balanced skin is within reach. 

In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the nuances of sensitive skin skincare and explore Dr Tanya's top recommendations for creating a soothing routine tailored to your unique needs.

Sensitive skin is characterised by heightened reactivity to environmental factors, skincare products, and even certain fabrics or foods. 

When determining your skin type, sensitive skin signs can manifest as redness, itching, burning, or dryness, making it challenging to find products that provide relief without exacerbating symptoms. Sometimes, even scratching or rubbing your skin can cause instant redness—if you know, you know!

Sensitive skin requires extra care and attention to maintain its delicate balance and prevent flare-ups.

But how can you craft a sensitive skin skincare ritual if the thought of testing new products sends shivers (or should we say, redness) across your skin?

Dr Tanya has seen plenty of sensitive skin cases during her time as a doctor and as a skincare specialist. Within her sensitive skin face products, she’s made it her mission to craft the perfect blend of natural yet potent ingredients and active agents that achieve results gently and without harsh irritants.

While we always recommend patch testing any new product, particularly if you’re prone to reactions, these top tips are the ultimate way to safeguard yourself while giving your skin the soothing rejuvenation it deserves.

When it comes to sensitive skin skincare cleansers, gentle is the key word. Harsh cleansers containing sulfates, fragrances, or alcohol (like a lot of foam-based products) can strip the skin's natural oils and disrupt its protective barrier, leading to further irritation. 

Opt for mild, fragrance-free cleansers that effectively remove impurities without causing inflammation or dryness. Our favourites are oil or cream-based cleansers as they’re much gentler on the skin and are generally suitable for all skin types.

When selecting skincare products for sensitive skin skincare, prioritise soothing ingredients that calm inflammation and strengthen the skin's barrier function. 

Look for ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, oat extract, and calendula, which have anti-inflammatory properties and are gentle enough for even the most reactive skin types.

We know that reading skincare product ingredients lists can sometimes feel like reading a different language. We’ve broken down two key active vitamins that anyone with sensitive and easily-inflamed skin can look out for:

• Vitamin B5 (Panthenol): A game-changing ingredient for all areas of the skin, Panthenol (Vitamin B5) is well tolerated for most skin types – including sensitive! 

Panthenol is a humectant and emollient that improves water retention, aids moisture absorption and wound healing, and treats inflammation. Check out Dr Tanya’s go-to Vitamin B5 products.

• Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate): One of the four Retinoids, Retinyl Palmitate is known as the more gentle yet effective Vitamin A derivative more suitable for those with sensitive skin. 

This active ingredient is commonly used in skincare formulas to speed up cell turnover, revealing a smoother, more even texture and stimulating collagen production to slow down the appearance of ageing. Find Vitamin A in these gentle Dr Tanya products.

Hydration is crucial for sensitive skin skincare, as dryness can exacerbate sensitivity and trigger flare-ups. When selecting a cream for sensitive face skin, choose lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturisers. These provide long-lasting hydration without clogging pores or weighing down the skin. 

Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin, which attract and retain moisture for a plump, supple complexion. These ingredients are also incredibly soothing, which can help when those sensitivity reactions do occur.

Dr Tanya's Holy Basil Day & Night Cream is a powerhouse for sensitive skin, combining clean, natural, and cruelty-free ingredients to deliver exceptional results. 

• Safe for all skin types and formulated by doctors
• Breathes life back into dull, dehydrated skin with a holistic approach
• Abundant in essential skin-altering ingredients
• Restores your skin to its optimal state
• Enhances hydration day and night
• Gently combats the signs of ageing around the clock. 

As part of our natural range, this ultra-hydrating moisturiser is perfect for those with sensitive skin, making it a staple product for anyone seeking a more hydrated and youthful appearance.

Sun exposure can worsen skin sensitivity and trigger allergic reactions in sensitive skin. Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50+ every day, even on cloudy days. 

Opt for mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are less likely to cause irritation than chemical sunscreens.

Alongside your sunscreen, it’s also great to complement your sensitive skin skincare with a wide-brimmed hat and big sunglasses. Embracing your inner Mary-Kate and Ashley adds extra protective barriers. Plus, they look fabulous!

Before incorporating a new product into your sensitive skin skincare routine, always perform a patch test to check for any adverse reactions. 

Apply a small amount of the product to a discreet area of your skin, such as the inner forearm, and wait 24-48 hours to see if any redness, itching, or irritation occurs. 

If no reaction occurs, the product is likely safe to use. If you do see a reaction, we recommend speaking to a GP or dermatologist to help you determine which ingredient in the product could have been the culprit.

One of the best sensitive skin face products is Dr Tanya's Luxe Recovery Gel. High in nutrient-rich ingredients, this doctor-derived formula is designed to reduce redness and inflammation post-skincare treatment – but it's also amazing to have on hand for soothing your skin after experiencing a sensitivity flare-up. 

Panthenol (Vitamin B5), a key ingredient in Dr Tanya's formula, acts as both a humectant and an emollient. This means it aids in moisture absorption, wound healing, and the treatment of inflammation. 

The gel’s naturally active ingredients lock in moisture while conditioning the skin to reveal improved texture and an intensely nourished and glowing complexion. We love that for our sensitive skin clients.

While exfoliation is important for removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover, sensitive skin skincare requires a gentler approach. There are certain dos and don'ts for face exfoliation, which are especially important for those who need sensitive skin skincare.

Avoid harsh physical scrubs or chemical exfoliants containing high percentages of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), as they can cause micro-tears in the skin and lead to irritation. 

Instead, opt for enzymatic exfoliants or gentle scrubs with rounded particles.

One of the best gentle exfoliating tools on the market is the NuSonic Facial Exfoliator. This patented technology facial exfoliator gently buffs away dead skin, daily dirt, grime, and sunscreen, improving skin texture and tone.

With its gentle yet effective approach, NuSonic provides a dermatologist-level exfoliation experience at home, ideal for enhancing your skincare routine without causing irritation.

You can also use the NuSonic in conjunction with your favourite cleanser. Simply apply your favourite cream cleanser to your face and slowly glide the NuSonic across your skin in outward motions.

While the NuSonic is generally fine to use a few times per week for normal skin, we recommend anyone with sensitive skin to cut down to exfoliating with the NuSonic Brush once per week. This ensures you’re reaping all the benefits without being too harsh and exacerbating any flare-ups.

[Related: Facial Exfoliating Brushes: Are They Worth The Hype?]

If you're struggling to manage sensitive skin on your own, don't hesitate to seek advice from a dermatologist or skincare professional. 

They can assess your skin's condition, identify any underlying issues, and recommend tailored treatments or products to address your specific concerns. 

Remember, it's okay to ask for help—your skin deserves expert care and attention.

Sensitive skin may require extra care and attention, but with the right products and practices, you can achieve a calm, balanced complexion. 

By following these tips and choosing gentle, soothing skincare products like those from Dr Tanya's range, you can nurture and protect your sensitive skin for long-term health and radiance. 

Create your sensitive skin skincare ritual with Dr Tanya’s four product recommendations:

• Holy Basil Face Serum
• Holy Basil Day & Night Cream
• Hyaluronic Acid Serum
• Luxe Recovery Gel

Embrace your skin's unique needs and prioritise its well-being – your skin will thank you for it!