My Skin is Ultra-Sensitive, I Can't Use Skincare Products

My skin tends on the sensitive side. A moisturizer that would work great for my best friend will cause my skin to get red and irritated, and sometimes even a little puffy. And this isn’t necessarily an allergy to a specific ingredient; in fact, I have never had allergies of any kind. It is just that I have ultra-sensitive skin.

And it is a real downer. Because I also have dry skin. So my dry skin irritates me, and the products I use to moisturize also irritate me… so what am I supposed to do? Even the drugstore brands that indicate they are great for sensitive skin can cause my skin issues to flare up if I use them more than a couple of times a week. And my skin needs (and deserves) more care than that.

What I really needed was a skincare line that was specially formulated with the best ingredients for truly sensitive skin. Not just run-of-the-mill sensitivities. 

BEST SKINCARE PRODUCTS FOR TRULY SENSITIVE SKIN

After trying a variety of cleansers, serums, and moisturizers from the standard drugstore shelf, I was frustrated to find that they rarely worked with my ultra-sensitive skin (which is especially sensitive on my face and chest). But I was so lucky to have found these products that finally, FINALLY, give me the best skin that I have ever had. It is moisturized (but not oily), naturally pink (instead of inflamed), and firm/elastic (not “crepey”).

1. Neocutis BIO CREAM Overnight Soothing Cream - My skin has a tendency to be on the dry side, but will break-out with mild acne when applying moisturizer at night. I haven’t found that to be the case with this overnight soothing cream moisturizer. I can use it at night or in the morning without my skin reacting in a way that makes me push the bottle to the back of the cabinet, never to see the light of day. Nope; this bottle stays front and center as a part of my daily routine. It is soothing after a long day outdoors, and revitalizing after rest. I love that it has no fragrance or colors added, and that it is not tested on animals too. I feel like the tone and texture of my skin has improved since I started using this cream, and the softer areas of my face have firmed up a bit. But given how sensitive my skin is to product, my favorite thing about this cream is that it moisturizes and softens without causing red spots or itchy areas. It does the job for my sensitive skin, and it does it well.
2. Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Gentle Skin Cleanser - At the end of the day I want to remove dust and dirt, as well as makeup, without drying-out and pulling all of the naturally good stuff from my skin. That is why I love this cleanser from Neocutis. It gently washes away the day without having any of those harsh cleanser ingredients that used to leave my washed face and neck red and blotchy. After using this perfect cleanser my skin feels fresh, comfortable, and truly beautiful in its natural state. I love products with glycerin as they really help my skin to absorb and hold onto moisture, which is especially vital for dry skin like mine. It is made from gentle ingredients that are perfect for my redness-prone skin, and I truly enjoy the feeling of my fresh face after washing with this gentle facial cleanser.
   
   
3. SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum - I am in love with this serum. It is so gentle that I can use it once or twice a day, if I choose, and does a beautiful job accomplishing the end goal: rejuvenating my skin while reducing the look of fine lines, texture, and skin tone. Since my skin is usually varying from pretty pale to pink/flushed, I really appreciate the evening quality of this all-in-one serum.                                                         
4. Obagi ELASTIderm Eye Cream - I wish I had started using an eye cream in my twenties, but I can’t go back in time (even if this eye cream sometimes makes my feel like I have). Though the skin around my eyes is not as sensitive as elsewhere on my face, neck, and décolleté, I still prefer a lighter cream for my eyes that is gentle and has natural ingredients. From the first time I started using this Obagi eye cream, I felt a difference. It is smooth and makes my eyes feel brighter and younger. I use it every night, and sometimes in the mornings as well, depending on my plans for the day and the weather situation (I always moisturize more during the dry/cold winter months).
5. Neocutis NEO FIRM Neck & Decollete Tightening Cream - Far too often I will see women with beautiful, vibrant faces that age them down five years, paired with a wrinkled/dry neck that ages them up seven. As a part of all-over skincare, be sure you are including your neck and chest (décolleté) in the routine. There is a lot of power in this little bottle. It is a moisturizing complex that is gentle enough for my skin, but powerful enough to truly tighten the skin in my neck and restore some of my naturally-lost collagen and elastin. It even seems to even out my skin tone a bit, which tends to fluctuate naturally from pale to irritated/red in blotchy spots. The combination of peptides, collagens, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid (and more) help to firm, condition, revitalize, rejuvenate, and shield my skin. I am a big fan of this neck cream.

So there you have it; my top 5 skincare products for ultra-sensitive skin like mine. Before I found these products, I rarely applied anything to my face other than a sunscreen for long days outdoors. Sometimes I would use a lotion on my face, but it would make it itchy and make my cheeks red (not in a cute “blushing” way; in an “are you ok, you’re very red” way). I hated that I was not able to give my skin the care it deserved and was frustrated with all of the products I had tried that just were never quite the right fit. I was so happy to have found these skincare items and am thrilled to be able to share the list with you in hopes that they can help your sensitive skin too.