What Is Sensitive Skin?

Sensitive skin is more than just occasional irritation—it’s skin that reacts easily to external factors and certain ingredients. It often appears as redness, dryness, itching, or a stinging sensation. Sensitive skin has a weaker protective barrier, making it more prone to irritation from everyday skincare, weather changes, and environmental stressors. If this sounds familiar, you aren’t alone—sensitive skin is a common skin type, affecting approximately 60% of women and 50% of men.¹

Identifying triggers for sensitive skin can be one of the biggest and most frustrating challenges. Some cosmetic ingredients can leave the skin feeling tight and uncomfortable after use. Weather fluctuations, such as cold, heat, sun, and pollution, can also aggravate sensitivity. If your skin often reacts to skincare products, feels itchy after cleansing, or becomes inflamed due to environmental factors, you likely have sensitive skin.

If you think you have sensitive skin or are experiencing reactions to skincare products, consult your dermatologist for further guidance.

The Importance of Gentle Cleansing

The skin barrier is a protective layer that helps shield against environmental stressors. When the skin barrier is disrupted, it can cause increased sensitivity, redness, and discomfort. That’s why choosing gentle cleansers for sensitive skin and learning how to cleanse sensitive skin is essential for maintaining healthy-looking, balanced skin.

4 Expert Tips for Cleansing Sensitive Skin

1. Choose the right cleanser

When choosing cleansers for sensitive skin, focus on ingredients that hydrate and support the skin barrier, such as ceramides and Glycolysine™. Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids that act like the "mortar" holding the skin’s protective barrier together, helping to lock in moisture and defend against environmental stressors. All CeraVe products include three essential ceramides that help restore balance.

As for Glycolysine™, it’s a revolutionary skincare ingredient that gently cleanses, helps control excess oil, and preserves the skin barrier. It also helps eliminate dirt, makeup, sunscreen, and pollution. This new cleansing technology is a patented bio-based surfactant that's a groundbreaking innovation in the cleanser category.

For a cleanser fit for sensitive skin, try the Balancing Air Foam Cleanser. The formula is powered by Glycolysine™ Cleansing Technology and three skin-identical ceramides to reduce excess oiliness while hydrating dry areas. It helps keep combination skin hydrated for 24 hours and offers eight hours of oil control while helping strengthen the skin barrier for healthier-feeling, more balanced skin.

2. Perfect your cleansing technique

Implementing a few sensitive skin tips can help calm your skin, leaving it with more moisture and less irritation. Hot water might feel soothing, but it can strip away your skin's natural oils, leaving it dry and vulnerable. So, swap the hot water for lukewarm.

Scrubbing too hard can do more harm than good, causing irritation and worsening skin conditions like acne. Instead, gently massage your face in light, circular motions to avoid unnecessary friction. After cleansing, rinse thoroughly and pat your skin dry with a soft towel.

3. Find your ideal cleansing routine

Cleansing sensitive skin properly is just as important as selecting the right cleanser. In the morning, washing your face helps remove sweat, oil, or bacteria that may have accumulated overnight. A gentle cleanse in the morning also preps your skin for the day, ensuring a fresh base for other beauty products, including makeup and sunscreen. At night, cleansing is essential to remove dirt, oil, and makeup before bed. If you work out during the day, you want to cleanse afterward to prevent sweat and bacteria from clogging pores.

When learning how to cleanse sensitive skin, you may come across different ways to clean the skin, such as double cleansing. Double cleansing is a popular method for deep cleansing that uses an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based one to help remove makeup or sunscreen. Although double cleansing may not be right for everyone, it can help remove additional dirt and buildup from the day. Use a gentle, unscented water-based cleanser if you have sensitive skin and want to try double cleansing.

4. Hydrate and protect your skin after cleansing

After washing your face, always use a moisturizer to replenish hydration and reinforce the skin barrier. Look for lightweight, fragrance-free formulas with hydrating ingredients like ceramides to soothe and protect your skin barrier.

Choose products with soothing ingredients like niacinamide and panthenol to calm and strengthen your skin. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that helps reduce redness while boosting hydration. Panthenol, also known as vitamin B5, moisturizes and acts as a skin protectant, making it especially beneficial for easily irritated skin.

Finally, apply sunscreen—it’s a must, even for sensitive skin. UV exposure can weaken the skin barrier and worsen sensitivity. Find a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection, an SPF of 30 or higher, and water resistance.

How To Pick Other Products For Sensitive Skin

Choosing the right products can help keep your sensitive skin hydrated, protected, and balanced. And this doesn’t apply solely to your cleanser.

For a daily moisturizer, the Ultra-Light Gel Moisturizer is a great option. It's formulated with three essential ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, providing long-lasting hydration without feeling heavy on the skin.

Adding SPF to your skincare is a must. If you're looking for a gentle sunscreen, try the Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Face Lotion. The 100% mineral, oil-free formula contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These ingredients form a protective barrier that reflects UVA and UVB rays without irritating sensitive skin.

For an added boost of radiance, reach for the Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum, which is formulated with 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and helps brighten the skin.

For help choosing the right products for your specific skin type and skin concerns, use our Find My Skincare Solution tool.