My 10 Favourite Products for Sensitive Skin
I have ultra sensitive skin. Even though I know better, I still try nearly every product we get at Kolya – they smell decadent, intrigue my interests, and look beautiful. But I find that when I use most products, even those that are pure as pure can be, I react. Over the years of trying hundreds of products, I have found that my skin does better with simple formulas or gentle formulations focusing on soothing and anti-inflammatory botanicals. I find that complex products with multiple ingredients usually cause reactions, especially the ones that are targeting specific needs.
Below is a list of 10 products that I regularly use for my sensitive skin, with excellent results, that have stood the test of time (some of them for years). They may not be the most exciting line-up of products, but I use them daily, with no reactions and a high level of effectiveness. Most of the time – I switch between the cleansers and moisturisers – using one for a few months, then changing to the other. I still bring home other products to play with from Kolya (I can’t help myself), but these are the ones I always seem to return to.
- Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Milk: This is a perfect cleanser for all skin types, including for those of us with sensitive skin. It is light, soothing and refreshing, and is our favourite makeup remover in the spa.
- Helena Lane Jojoba & Calendula Cleanser: This product is a winner on so many levels- it thoroughly cleanses the skin, regulates sebum production, as well as calming and soothing irritation. Many cleansers strip necessary oils from the surface of the skin – even oil cleansing can dry out some skin pretty quickly. Because this cleanser has more of an ointment texture, it leaves my skin moist and dewy (and my pores have never been more refined).
- Helena Lane Rose & Frankincense Flower Water: A very subtle floral water to be used as a toner. By saturating the face with a floral water (aka hydrosol), creams and ointments absorb much more deeply into the skin. I saturate my face with this before using the Hibiscus & Hyaluronic Serum, and also when using Helena Lane’s moisturiser (explained below).
- Dr. Hauschka Daily Hydrating Eye Cream: This eye cream is especially helpful for sensitive skin. It is light, absorbs quickly and is formulated for skin that is prone to wrinkles caused by dryness. I like to use this in combination with Jane Iredale’s Enlighten Concealer- I brush the concealer below my eyes, and then gently dab this eye cream on top of it to help blend it in.
- Helena Lane Hibiscus & Hyaluronic Serum: THIS ONE IS LOVED BY EVERYONE, and it’s hard to keep in stock. It plumps and firms the skin and gives it a hydration boost, without scent or irritants. I’ll never go without this product – ever, ever, ever.
- Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream: This is one of our best-selling moisturisers in Kolya… In the winter, when it’s so dry outside, Rose Day Cream moisturises like no other. It is rich, soothing and nourishing but some people find it a wee bit greasy. If such is the case, one can use the Rose Day Cream Light. You still get all the benefits and protection from roses and other botanicals in this cream, but it absorbs more quickly. I choose to use the light cream in the spring and summer, and the original formula during autumn and winter.
- Helena Lane Argan & Rosehip Moisturizer: I’m not going to lie – this one smells funny (it’s the shea butter)… but the fact that I look forward to using it every day shows you just how amazing it is. My skin glows after I use it, and the redness is reduced compared to when I use other products. There is a trick to using this product, though- because it has no water in the formula, it is quite thick and concentrated so you need to dilute it with a floral water, which as mentioned before, also helps with absorption. I usually put a rice sized amount of this moisturiser in my palm, spray about 5-6 squirts of floral water over it, massage it between my hands, then gently pat it on my already-moistened face. It really is quite awesome.
- Dr. Hauschka Soothing Intensive Treatment: This is a specialised product for hypersensitive skin, and is meant to calm and fortify irritated, reactive skin. It is meant to be used when the body is in transition – whether that be during stressful times when switching from conventional skin care to natural skincare, or at the change of every season. This spray is infused with botanical extracts and gemstones and should be used for a 28-day cycle (the length of time it takes for skin cells to renew fully).
- Eminence Lavender Age Corrective Night Concentrate: This is a very light evening product that improves the elasticity of the skin, and is formulated to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Becuase it is such a light moisturiser, it still allows my skin to breathe throughout the night (unlike heavy night time creams).
- Dr. Hauschka Regenerating Serum: Last but not least, this is a lovely, lovely product. It is formulated for mature skin, meant to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Because it is so light, it makes the perfect addition to any night time regime.
8 Comments
When you say you have sensitive skin you don’t cover how. Would these products you mentioned work on sensitive skin with redness issues and pimples? I don’t have acne but products sure like to give me breakouts, especially on my jawline and nose. I’ve tried the Eminence calming line and that didn’t help. Then I tried the oil cleanser with Brocofusion lotion…again more pimples 🙁
Hi Corri!
Good question :).
My sensitive skin is partly genetic (my mother, sister and aunts all have it). I have fairly rosy cheeks which is a mild form of rosacea / couprose skin. I am planning on blogging about different types of sensitive skin in the future (there are many reasons why people deal with this), but if you are interested in reading something sooner, I might suggest to have a look at this blog.
On the floor, we are often asked what we use, and so this blog was a quick synopsis to answer that question. A few of us have sensitive skin, but there are some products that one of us can use, and the other cannot. The ones I mentioned are my favourite and seem to be enjoyed by most 🙂 But because everyone has such different skin and lifestyles, we could never say a particular product is good for everyone… But as I mentioned, I try ALOT (I’m also reactive to those Eminence ones you mentioned), and these 10 are the best for me.
Hope this helps!
Warmly,
Nicola
Thanks for your answer! If you were me and had to choose only a few to start (cleanser, toner, moisturizer) what would you pick? I’ve spent so much recently that I’m nervous to get a whole bunch! I also have those rosy cheeks and they get super inflamed when I get the wrong products on them, as i’m sure you know 😉 It’s helpful to know you reacted to the Eminence ones as well because maybe then the ones you suggest will work for me 🙂 Thanks again!!
Hi Corri,
If I were starting from scratch, I would get the Helena Lane Sensitive Trial Kit, and make sure to use many sprays of the floral water, so the concentrated moisturizer (which you would use a very little amount of) absorbs into the skin better. Helena Lane is relatively inexpensive, and the trial kit has reasonable sizes that should last long enough to see if you react. Other than that, each person responds so differently to individual products- I would suggest asking for sample sizes at our store. Tell them that you have ultra-sensitive skin, and would like to trial something before purchasing.
I wish you luck with this, because I know how frustrating this process can be!
Warmly,
Nicola
What a wonderful write-up Nicola! I love your personal analysis of this complex subject.
Thanks Laurie!
As you yourself know – it can be quite frustrating dealing with reaction after reaction when trying to keep your skin clean and nourished… Thank you for introducing this field to me, and being such an incredible mentor in the field :).
Can you comment on whether these products are good for acne prone skin? Also, it seems like a lot of product to use – can you suggest a simpler regimen for everyday use?
Hi Sue!
I’m sorry it took so long to get back to you – we were on a family vacation and am just getting back to work now :).
Firstly – the items I specified are not our best choices for acne prone skin, but specific for sensitive/ dry skin, such as mine.
Next – I completely understand wanting to keep things simple! To do this I would choose 3 products that cleanse, tone and moisturize which you can use in the morning when you wake, and at night before bed. I asked Danielle which products she would recommend for your skin type (she has been helping clients for many years in Kolya, and consequently has years of feedback about what works well).
Her first question was – do you deal with both acneic and sensitive skin?
If so, she would recommend starting with Living Libations Sea Buckthorn Oil Cleanser (which is extremely gentle and nourishing), Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner and Eminence Clear Skin Moisturizer. If you prefer a foaming cleanser, she suggested Eminence’s Stone Crop Gel Wash.
It is important to remember, however, that everyone who reacts to products does so for different reasons. It is for this reason that we always recommend getting a trial size first. If the skincare company does not offer those – we usually have testers in the store, and will send you home with a sample to make sure you do not react. If you do – come back in, explain what happened and one of our consultants in Kolya will help you narrow down items, until you find one you like.
Now if you only deal with acne (and do not tend to react to products like I do), she recommends trying Eminence Clear Skin Cleanser, and then the same toner and moisturizer we mentioned above (Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner & Eminence’s Clear Skin Moisturizer).
If you have more questions, you can also call Kolya @ 780.433.1090 🙂
I hope this helps!
Nicola