Day cream for sensitive skin: what to look for

"My skin reacts to everything." I hear that sentence often, for example in our chat. Many people who take our skincare test also find out that their skin is sensitive. A good day cream can make a big difference, but with sensitive skin the way you introduce it matters just as much as the cream itself. In this guide I explain what to look for, how to test a new product calmly and which of our products may suit you. I will also be honest about when our creams are not the right choice.

Short answer: for sensitive skin, choose a day cream that gives moisture and comfort, read the full ingredient list for things you know you react to, and introduce one new product at a time after testing it on a small area of skin. Our Organic Day Cream suits sensitive skin that is also dry, as long as your skin tolerates essential oils. Prefer something light? Then look at the Organic Soothing Lotion.

What makes skin sensitive?

Sensitive skin is not a separate skin type. It describes skin that reacts quickly: it feels tight, stings, itches or flushes, for example after cleansing, in wind and cold or after a new product. Often the outer layer of the skin is having a hard time keeping moisture in and keeping irritants out.

Common causes are dry indoor air, big temperature changes, cleansing too often or too harshly, scrubbing and using many new products at once. Stress and too little sleep can also play a part. The good news: with a calm, simple routine, many people notice their skin feels more comfortable again.

What should you look for on the ingredient list?

With sensitive skin, the ingredient list tells you a lot. Look at it with your own skin in mind:

• Essential oils. They are natural, but not every sensitive skin tolerates them. Our day and night cream contain essential oils, such as bergamot and lemon peel oil. That is why "Fragrance" also appears on their ingredient list.
• Alcohol. Several of our products contain organic alcohol. Most people do not notice it, but if you know your skin reacts to it, check the list.
• The number of products. Sometimes it is not one ingredient, but the combination of many products that is too much.
• What you already know. Have you reacted to something before, such as lavender or citrus? Look for that name on the list.

"Natural" does not automatically mean "mild". I wrote about this in more detail in Essential oils in skincare: risk or remedy for your skin?

How do you introduce a new product calmly?

With sensitive skin it often helps to go slower:

1. Test first. Apply a little product to a small area, such as your jawline or behind your ear, for a few days in a row.
2. One product at a time. Wait about a week before adding the next product. Then you know what your skin responds to.
3. Keep the rest simple. A mild cleanser, a day cream and sun protection is enough to begin with.
4. Stop if it stings or burns. Rinse with lukewarm water and go back to the products you know your skin tolerates.

Light or rich: Soothing Lotion or Day Cream?

The Organic Soothing Lotion is light. It is made with aloe vera instead of water and also contains witch hazel, glycerin and panthenol. It gives moisture without feeling rich or greasy and quickly soothes skin that feels hot or irritated. Note that organic alcohol is the second ingredient and that it contains lavender oil.

The Organic Day Cream is richer. Aloe vera juice is the first ingredient, followed by shea butter, jojoba oil and plant extracts such as calendula, chamomile and centella asiatica. It calms skin that easily feels dry or irritated and sits comfortably under SPF and make-up.

The Sensitive Skin Regimen Box contains minis of the Day Cream, Night Cream and Miracle Oil, plus a sachet of Green Detox Mask. Used morning and evening, the minis last about 10 to 14 days. Because they are small, you can test each product calmly before choosing full sizes. One note: we do not recommend the Miracle Oil for skin with strong redness from rosacea.

Who is this approach for, and who is it not for?

This guide is for skin that quickly feels tight, flushes easily or reacts to products, wind or temperature changes. On our page about sensitive skin you will find more tips, and in our collection for sensitive skin all products we recommend for it.

Do you know your skin reacts to essential oils? Then our creams are probably not the right choice, and that is fine. Is your skin very red, swollen or painful, or do you have eczema or rosacea? Then a day cream alone is not the answer. See your GP or a dermatologist and discuss your skincare with them.

How do you use a day cream on sensitive skin?

1. Cleanse your face with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser. Do not rub; pat your skin dry.
2. Apply the Soothing Lotion if your skin feels hot or tight.
3. Take a small amount of Day Cream, warm it between your fingertips and press it gently onto your face and neck.
4. Finish with sun protection. Introduce that as a separate new step too.

In the evening you can use the same steps, or swap the Day Cream for a night cream. Read more in night cream for dry skin.

In short

• Sensitive skin reacts quickly to products, weather and cleansing.
• Read the full ingredient list, including essential oils and alcohol.
• Test first and introduce one new product at a time.
• Light: Soothing Lotion. Rich and comforting: Day Cream, if your skin tolerates essential oils.
• With strong or lasting complaints, see a doctor.

Read more

• Day cream for mature skin: how to choose
• Night cream for dry skin: how to choose
• Essential oils in skincare: risk or remedy for your skin?
• All our creams

Not sure what your skin needs? Take our free skincare test, or ask our skin specialist through the chat on our website.

Love,
Barbara Baars
Skin Specialist