When you experience stinging, burning, tightness or irritation after applying any kind of active ingredient, it’s pretty safe to say you’ve got sensitive skin.
In which case, you’ll probably be pointed in the direction of watered-down formulas that don’t do much else except not upset your face.
However, for those of us that do experience irritation but are still interested in an active routine that includes anti-ageing, exfoliation and pigmentation-fading, we have another option: know what to look for.
Keep scrolling as we break down all the sensitive skin-approved serums to have on your radar. Because why should your skin miss out on all the fun?
Vitamin C for sensitive skin
Good for: Evening out skin tone, brightening, reversing damage
Good to know: As you might’ve guessed, the higher the concentration of vitamin C, the more irritating the serum typically is to those with sensitive skin. As with any product, it always helps to start slow. We can usually build up a tolerance to products, but when it comes to introducing vitamin C into your routine, slow and steady wins the race. For example, begin with a 10 per cent concentrate, then gradually move to 15 and up from there.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Fresh Day Serum
This vitamin C and ferulic acid gel formula has been paired with skin-cooling ingredients like pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extract to help keep skin calm, soothed, and radiant while it gets to work.
$111 at MECCA
SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX
Now, we know the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic typically gets all the attention, and rightly so, it’s an amazing active serum. However, as far as sensitive skin is concerned, we recommend looking in the direction of another serum in the SkinCeuticals range. The SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX will offer similar results, but as the percentages in the formula are lower, it’s a lot more tolerable by those who are easily irritated. Plus, it’s half the price…
$140 at Adore Beauty
Retinol for sensitive skin
Good for: Reducing fine lines and wrinkles, regulation of excess oil production, reducing acne breakouts, refines skins texture
Good to know: This notoriously harsh ingredient has been known to trigger a mean dry patch. This is why when it comes to applying pure retinol to sensitive skin we typically say don’t. The gentlest form of retinol on the other hand, retinyl palmitate, has our stamp of approval.
We recommend sticking to a cream formulation where possible or diluting a small amount of your vitamin A derivative serum into a facial cream or moisturiser.
La Roche-Posay Redermic Retinol B3 Serum
Inflammation, rosacea, redness, or acne sufferers seeking the advantages of a retinol serum will benefit from this low concentration, slow-releasing formula.
$71.95 at Adore Beauty
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules
Pop one of the Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules on your face post-cleanse to maintain a healthy skin barrier, minimise wrinkles and keep pores clear.
$59.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Hyaluronic acid for sensitive skin
Good for: Hydration, balancing uneven texture, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, firming skin
Good to know: As far as incorporating a hyaluronic acid serum into a sensitive skin routine goes — you’re in the clear. HA is well tolerated by all skin types, even those who are acne-prone and easily irritated.
Just be careful that your serum doesn’t have other active ingredients within the formula that might cause any redness.
CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
The CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum instantly provides 24 hours of moisture and nourishment, while the unique gel texture has been formulated to repair dry and dehydrated skin.
$29.99 at Chemist Warehouse
BOOST LAB 2D Hyaluronic Acid Hydro Boost Serum
Gentle enough to be used morning and night, the BOOST LAB 2D Hyaluronic Acid Hydro Boost Serum repairs dry, rough, dull and irritated skin. It immediately soothes sensitivities by forming a transparent film over the skin to lock in moisture.
$29.95 at Adore Beauty
Vitamin B for sensitive skin
Good for: Moisturising, supporting the skin barrier, relieving irritation
Good to know: Another serum that sensitive skin loves, vitamin B3 (otherwise known as niacinamide) is an anti-inflammatory ingredient that works to reduce irritation and redness, and prevent the loss of water — a crucial addition to any routine looking to combat dryness, acne or rosacea.
The other vitamin B to look out for is B5, otherwise known as panthenol. Best known for its calming, soothing and moisturising properties, panthenol is well tolerated by sensitive skin and won’t cause irritation.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Mask
For skin that’s feeling a little on the irritable side and needs a hit of calming hydration, the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Mask includes panthenol plus thermal spring water to instantly relieve the feeling of tight and uncomfortable dryness.
Alpha-H Vitamin B
For an irritation-free solution to radiant skin, the Alpha-H Vitamin B powerhouse serum delivers nourishing doses of both niacinamide and panthenol.
$71.96 at Adore Beauty
Which of these serums would you most like to try?
I would be keen to try the CeraVe serum. I haven’t tried a product of theirs so far that I haven’t enjoyed.
I’m keen to try it too. I haven’t used any CeraVe products yet.
Neither have I and they are quite affordable.
I swear by CeraVe.
I’ve always wanted to incorporate Vitamin C into my routine but I always break out from it 🙄
I had the same problem, but Essano Vitamin C Brightening Serum didn’t give me zits. I tried it first in the Essano Vitamin C Brightening Skincare Kit – all travel sizes, so you can test out the whole range.
Ok I’m going to try it. Why not hey. I’m not going to know if I don’t keep trying. I’ll let you know how I go. Thanks 😊
Great, Izzy!
Have the same problem Izzy (it’s either zits or my face flushes red). I’ve used a sample of Mukti Organics’ Vitamin C Booster & am currently using up another one just to see if my skin reacts. So far, so good – might just be the first Vit C serum I don’t have issues with (fingers crossed).
I might see if I can get a sample of the Mukti one but I just saw a full size is $115 🤯
DEFINITELY get the sample first & try it out. I’m currently on my 2nd one because I can’t bring myself to fork out the $ for a full size only to find my skin hates it over time. I splurged on a full size Vitamin B serum & I’ll use it up, but I fear I wasted money on that as I’m getting bumpy on my face. ☹
Where do you buy the samples?
You could try a different form of it and start with a weaker strength? Did you know that if you consume vitamin C daily (I take a massive 2000mg), it works wonders for your skin in the long run and it stimulates collagen production?
Boost Labs Hya serum is a must try. La Roche-Posay is still my favorite Vit C serum for sensitive skin.
That is great to know about LRP Frenchy1!
Would like to try La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Mask and CeraVe Skin Serum they are so affordable my Skin is very sensitive I have to be careful as some Serums can be to strong at times.
But I do like what they do for my Skin my Skin has less wrinkles, around my eyes making me look much younger than my age. 😊
I’m lucky that my skin isn’t sensitive. I loved that Boost 2D serum!
Oooh. I wonder if it had a few different forms of HA in it?
I’ve been using the BOOST LAB 2D Hyaluronic Acid Hydro Boost Serum on my sensitive skin & so far so good.
So many products for sensitive skin, even retinol!
My skin isn’t as sensitive as it used to be but there’s several products I would like to try.
Wouldn’t dare go near retinol with my sensitive skin – have even had issues with higher concentrations of bakuchiol (a retinol alternative), so I’m loathe to go back down that path right now. Niacinamide & I can be a bit touch & go (it can cause zits for me), but I’m currently using Mukti Organics’ Vitamin B Booster & so far so good. Ditto to my 2nd sample of their Vitamin C booster – haven’t been able to find a Vit C serum that I’ve got along with yet & this might be it.
I’ve never trued bakuchiol but I’m curious!
La Roche posay, my skin can get very sensitive at times.
I would rotate them all. Love serums. All of them.
Same here! IIRC, you use serum without moisturiser?
My skin isn’t at all sensitive so I can basically use anything. I’ve just finished Boost Lab Vitamin C Serum and Boost Lab 2D Hyaluronic Acid Hydro Boost Serum. I think I’ll try the Essano Vitamin C Brightening Serum next.
I just love the name Drunk Elephant & I want to try their stuff just for that alone.
They are just so exxy. Elephants get drunk on fermented marula fruit and marula pil is a star product in DE’s range!
The Alpha-H vitamin b serum 💧
Some good recommendations are suggested.
I’d love to try all of them. I’m already using the Cerave and would like to try something else. I love anything by SkinCeuticals
I’m not about to try anything new in serums as the Springfield’s Rose Gel I’ve been using for some time is still perfect.
Would love to use vitamin c serum for skin tone
Really keen to try the La Roche-Posay Serum. I have always had good experience with their quality products.
I’m yet to try any La Roche-Posay products but I do have sensitive skin so maybe I should
I haven’t tried any of these yet. Would love to.
I’d be happy to try any of these serums, although my skin can handle more potent ones 🙂
My comment won’t post. Apologies if this comes up multiple times.
There was a lot of hype around Drunk Elephant a few years ago but I have not heard about them recently. I had no idea about them being so expensive though…
My posts are not coming up 🙁
Now it does…ok, lets try again.
There was a lot of hype around Drunk Elephant a few years ago but I have not heard about them recently. I had no idea about them being so expensive though…
nope that did not work
One last time:
There was a lot of hype around DE (removed the brand name maybe that was the issue) a few years ago but I have not heard about them recently. I had no idea about them being so expensive though…
ok, is the word drunk the issue?
I think the word d-r-u-n-k was the issue as to why my posts did not work. That is a problem considering the brand name of the Elephant one
I’ve tried the Elizabeth Arden capsules and really liked them. The serum felt gentle and soothing and made my skin feel smooth and soft.