Finally, an end to standing in a store terrified about how new products will affect your skin. Discover which natural ingredients make wonderful skincare for sensitive skin. Learn how to combine these with gentle essential oils. Join me, as I show you how to make a Micellar Cleanser, Toner, hydrating Moisturizer and a nourishing Serum from pure and natural ingredients. These are pure, gentle and made from ingredients that are easy to source and relatively cheap to buy. Gain beautifully soft, supple skin and feel empowered by making your own products. There’s something for everybody in this article Skincare For Sensitive Skin, even for those with the most hypersensitive skin, like my own.
This article is quite long and detailed, containing ideas to help you determine what is causing your skincare issues and to make adaptions around them. However, feel free to jump straight ingredients for skincare for sensitive skin.
What Is Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive skin is defined as ‘heightened reactivity to a range of internal and external factors’.
Sensitive skin is a common skin condition and it is estimated that anywhere between 20 and 50% of the population are experiencing some form of skin sensitivity at any given time. I’ve had hypersensitive skin most of my life, and it has worsened as I have aged.
Some of us have sensitive skin all the time and others have periods of it, usually down to pressuring factors like environmental exposure, underlying skin issues and stress. My own skin is worse at some times than others and it will fluctuate, especially seasonally.
Everyone’s skin is different, and so is everyone's skin sensitivity. What works for me, might not work for you, and what works for you, might not work for someone else. This is why it is so helpful to be able to design your own Skincare For Sensitive Skin and to create a regimen that suits you.
How Do I Know If I Have Sensitive Skin?
You’ll know! Your skin may appear red and itchy, it might also feel like it is burning. Often, it will feel quite dry and taut. Your skin may also just feel tight and uncomfortable, with no visible signs of redness or rash.
Your skin may also have noticeable adverse reactions to outside stimuli. These could be the environment around you, emotional stressors or even the products you are using on your skin.
For example, if you work in an environment with antiseptic hand scrubs and you constantly have dermatitis, could hand scrubbing be causing the issue? Equally, if you are under pressure and stressed at work, might this be contributing also? Could multiple factors be contributing to your symptoms?
Looking out for potential triggers will better help you formulate a skincare regimen.
Causes of Sensitive Skin
There are so many reasons why you could have sensitive skin. Let’s have a look at a few.
| Our Environment | Our Physical Health | Skin Barrier Dysfunction & Inflammation | Additives in Products | What We Ingest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contact dermatitis | Hormonal changes | Dry skin | Additives in cosmetics | Food Allergy |
| Cold weather skincare | Pregnancy induced sensitive skin | Dehydrated skin | Additives in skincare products and toiletries | Alcohol |
| Pollution | Serious medical conditions, like cancer | Rosacea | Additives in home laundry products | Medication |
| Photo - dermatosis and sun exposure | Carcinoid syndrome | Psoriasis | Additives in home cleaning products | Gluten and lactose allergies |
| Air conditioning | Stress | Eczema | Additives in food and drinks products | Plant allergy |
It can be extremely difficult to determine the precise causes and factors underlying sensitive skin because sometimes several factors combine and contribute over time.
Shall we dive a little deeper?
Our Environment
Short term sensitive skin can be caused by, or exacerbated by, a range of environmental factors. Often some of these factors can cause inflammation in our bodies and cause oxidative stress.
We also tend to experience more dehydration, which of course contributes to reducing the effectiveness of our skin's barrier function. This in turn will increase our levels of sensitivity.
Environmental Factors to Consider:
- Artificial heat sources in the home and indoor heating.
- Artificial cooling and air conditioning.
- Exposure to pollution, heavy metals and environmental allergens.
- Exposure to inclement weather conditions, causing wind and sunburn.
- UV radiation and sunburn.
Allergenic Additives In Products That Act As Skin Irritants
Like me, you may have to be very careful and consider the products you buy.
Those of us with sensitive skin may have reactions to irritants in:
- Home cleaning products, like surface cleansers, polish, antibac wipes, bleach and disinfectant.
- Home laundry products like laundry cleansers, detergents, bleaches and tumble dry sheets.
- Alcohol based products like perfumes, aftershaves, colognes and body mists. deodorants and body sprays are often culprits.
- Toiletries and skincare products like body butter and lotions, moisturizers and cleansers.
- Makeup and cosmetics - like foundation, eye shadow, mascara and makeup remover.
- Clothing.Yep! Some of us can be allergic to the dyes and dyeing processes in modern clothes manufacturing.
Genetic Factors and Hormones
Genetics can, and do, influence sensitive skin, especially where we may have inherited issues connected to the skin’s barrier function. When this works properly it protects your skin, moisturizes and nourishes it. Imbalance affects its ability to retain moisture, protect itself and keep out pollutants. This leads to dryness, of course, but it also makes us more susceptible to allergic reactions and irritation.
Hormonal fluctuations can also contribute to skin sensitivity. We will all experience fluctuations at some point or another, but most often, they happen during puberty and adolescence. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations affect women during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. It’s not unusual to experience changes, or exacerbation, of your sensitive skin at these times.
Changes In Hormones Affect:
- Sebum production, and thus the efficacy of skin hydration. Too much sebum and the skin appear oily. Too little, and the skin becomes dehydrated and dry and dehydrated.
- The skin's inflammatory response can have an acute effect on sensitive skin.
The Inflammatory Response And Sensitive Skin
We can cover two issues here, under one umbrella.
Inflammatory responses affect the skin’s barrier function and they also contribute to other issues that might be underlying that. So, for example, allergies to certain foods can also contribute to underlying inflammation.
An inflammatory response can reduce the efficacy of our skin’s protective barrier and its ability to protect us from environmental stressors. For those of us with sensitive skin, that can affect our skin’s hydration and how effective our hydrolipid barrier will function to regulate moisture balance. When compromised, barrier protection is reduced and we become more vulnerable to microbes, allergens and irritants.
Compromised skin barrier function, along with inflammation, can contribute to skin conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema. These conditions can also, themselves, contribute towards heightened sensitivity making matters even more challenging.
Supporting science from Chen (2021) demonstrates this:
Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a higher prevalence of sensitive skin in subjects with certain cutaneous disorders, such as atopic dermatitis(AD), psoriasis, acne, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis. For example, subjects who claimed sensitive skin were 5 times more likely to report skin allergies, while the prevalence of sensitive skin in patients with rosacea can be as high as 100%. Likewise, over 40% of psoriatic patients experience symptoms and signs of sensitive skin, such as itchy, hot/burning, tender, and cramping. The odds of having sensitive skin are 3.7 times greater in psoriatic patients than in the controls. Similarly, the odds of having sensitive skin are 2.5 times greater in patients with acne.
You Know It’s Coming, Right? What About Your Lifestyle?
It’s the question that we all dread. Do you drink / smoke / stress too much / get enough sleep / eat crap?
We hate it because we KNOW that is potentially having an impact and we just do not want to admit it! Because it means we would have to do something about it!
Of course, that tube of Pringles won’t be contributing to your flared eczema! You tell yourself that. But, consider it might be!
Just as an interesting aside that caught my eye - Did you know the ingredients are different between the US and the UK? Makes you wonder why!
| Pringles Ingredients | |
|---|---|
| USA Ingredients | UK Ingredients |
| Dried Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Corn, Cottonseed, High Oleic Soybean, And/Or Sunflower Oil), Degerminated Yellow Corn Flour, Cornstarch, Rice Flour, Maltodextrin, Mono And Diglycerides, Salt, Wheat Starch. | Dehydrated Potatoes, Sunflower Oil, Wheat Flour, Corn Flour, Rice Flour, Maltodextrin, Emulsifier (E471), Salt, Color (Annatto Norbixin). |
I’ll leave you with that thought provoking point…. Moving on!
If your sensitive skin is really challenging and causing you discomfort or is affecting how you feel about yourself, maybe it’s time to make some positive changes?
Try the following:
- Get more improved sleep, try essential oils like Lavender and Vetiver to help.
- To reduce your stress and anxiety levels, try Mandarin and Sweet Orange essential oils.
- Focus on moving towards an anti- inflammatory diet by making small changes you are more likely to stick to. Anti Inflammation Recipes on Pinterest.
- Eat less processed foods and try to avoid sugars and artificial sweeteners. Check out - Processed foods are making us sick.
- Reduce or give up smoking…. If you vape, did you consider that might not be helping either? Science - Effects of tobacco and vaping on the skin. (I noticed much better skin hydration levels when I gave up smoking, after just a month)!
If you don’t try, you don’t allow the opportunity for change, without that opportunity, you are potentially denying yourself positive and lasting changes. Be brave, and take the plunge towards change, even if they are tiny steps at a time, it is all momentum forward!
We really can take charge of these things and create the best skincare for sensitive skin.
What Is The Solution For Skincare For Sensitive Skin?
Well, I wish that I could wave a magic wand and make it all go away for you, really I do!
There isn’t just one cure all solution. For you, it might be several factors. For me, it’s probably a great many. For someone else, it might be one thing. So the answer here really, is trial and error.
Try several solutions, on their own, then in conjunction with one another. Give them time to work! Skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis can often worsen for a couple of weeks, as toxins are pushed up and out. So always give it 3-4 weeks, to be able to give things a chance to work and see the results!
Triggers
Dishwashing Liquid is mine. I dip my hand in the washing up bowl real quick to rinse a mucky finger. The next day, dermatitis. Like clockwork. I should know better.
I always used to be able to use Soap, especially my own, homemade. Right now, I cannot even use that, since my body is going through some weird inflammatory reaction which has exacerbated my hypersensitivity.
Laundry Detergent, I picked up a box of biological detergent, to do some washing for my stepmom….. Even the box set my hands itching uncontrollably! It made me think twice about even using it in my washing machine because of potential residues.
Winter central heating will always set my skin off, and my husband's, we call it Winter Itch. As soon as the season changes and the heating goes on… here it comes.
Triggers. All of them!
What are your triggers?
Are they skincare and toiletry products, home or laundry products, the change in season and weather or are your hormones running rampage?
Try these:
- When using skincare for sensitive skin, treat your skin very gently, with as pure natural and gentle ingredients as possible.
- Use super soft, cotton or bamboo cloths for skin cleansing.
- Formulate your own skincare and toiletries and take control over the ingredients you use. It also gives you the chance to change anything quickly and easily at times when your sensitivity is heightened.
- Always introduce new products slowly and give them a chance to work, don’t overload your skin with lots of different products.
- Always wear protective gloves when washing up, handling cleaning products, gardening and wearing warm gloves in cold weather if you have sensitive skin on your hands.
- Use natural and gentle barrier creams throughout the day to protect your skin and maintain hydration. Beeswax ones are best.
- Work with a healthcare professional or your dermatologist to manage underlying skin conditions, your general health and wellbeing and recommend natural skincare for sensitive skin.
- Sunscreen is your friend and protector, find one that suits your skin and use it! It should be a primary product in your regimen of skincare for sensitive skin.
- Make positive lifestyle changes in a way that is sustainable and realistic to you.
Hopefully, you will hit on a combination of strategies that will bring you some welcome respite and relief.
The Magic Of My Own Skincare For Sensitive Skin
Though, let me leave you with this thought. I said at the beginning of this section that “I wish that I could wave a magic wand and make it all go away for you”.
Would I do the same for myself?
Probably not. My sensitive skin led me on a journey to create all my own skincare for sensitive skin and here I am teaching you how to do the very same thing!
I have hypersensitive skin, and occasionally, I suffer from it. I know my triggers and I can avoid them and I can roll my eyes at myself when I don’t! But I also know how to use natural ingredients and essential oils to ease most discomforts quickly and effectively.
Occasionally, I get thrown a curveball, like the recent one, of not being able to use Soap. I get around it, and I doubt it will be forever. Your sensitive skin gives you coping strategies and many of them could be transferable in your wider life too, don’t be too quick to wish that resilience and wisdom away with your sensitive skin!
Getting to grips with skincare for sensitive skin could be the key for you too.
Best Essential Oils Skincare For Sensitive Skin
We have to be a little considered about which essential oils we select for our skincare for sensitive skin. Essential oils are super concentrated and stuffed to the gunnels with active benefits and properties, they are also super strong! For this reason, we must always dilute essential oils in our skincare for sensitive skin.
My first recommendation when using essential oils is that you dilute them at 1% in a carrier oil that you know you are ok with and patch test each and every essential oil. It’s a pain, I know, but it will pay off for you in the long run!
Finding Safety Recommendations
Every essential oil that we sell, will be linked on the webpage, via the Documents link, to a Safety Synopsis. This will tell you the maximum percentage of essential oil that we recommend that you use.
For example Bulgarian Lavender says the following:
For normal aromatherapy, we would recommend:
- 3% dilution for adults
- 2% for people in a weakened state
- 1% for children over the age of 6
- 0.5% for any younger than that, and we do not recommend using essential oils on children under the age of 6 months old unless it is an emergency
As someone with sensitive skin, what percentage do you presume would be safe for you to use? 3% right? If you are an adult? Well maybe. Honestly, I would always err on the side of caution and drop a 3% recommendation right down to 1% to start with!
If my skin tolerates the 1%, then I might try 2% next time, and if all is well, notch it up to the recommended 3% next time around.
Always err on the side of less and build up from there. It gives you a chance to identify potential triggers and irritants early on and get on top of them quickly. Over time, it can help you avoid expensive mistakes and wasted formulas, it is definitely worth persisting with and putting in some background work before you start creating your own skincare for sensitive skin.
Violet Leaf Absolute
I can only apologize for this, but of course, my first and best suggestion is also the most costly! My sincere apologies, but I can attest to its efficacy and have used it myself for many years on my hypersensitive skin.
It has this delightful fresh green fragrance with a whisper of Violet flowers. It’s quite strong, so you only need the tiniest touch for both its active benefits and fragrance intensity. It may be an initial outlay but you will certainly get your money’s worth from it. While I like it on its own, it blends wonderfully with floral essential oils like Rose Geranium.
Lawless (1992) found Violet Leaf to be effective in addressing thread veins and refining pores. It cools things down, so is good for hot, sore skin, like sunburn. It is beautifully soothing and cooling on dry skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis.
Interestingly, it’s just the ticket for those who suffer from nervous exhaustion and ‘live on their nerves’. I have noticed how often anxiety, nervous tension and sensitive skin go hand in hand. If this sounds like you, why not let it have that double whammy effect for you and include it in your skincare for sensitive skin.
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
For those of you seeking a more affordable alternative, give Roman Chamomile essential oil a try. It has wonderful soothing effects on dry and irritated skin, especially for flare ups.
Whenever you experience a flare up, be that of temper, or of irritated skin, turn to Roman Chamomile for its soothing and anti-inflammatory effects.
Roman Chamomile is particularly useful when inflammation is being caused by histamines in response to an allergic reaction.
Let’s just highlight some of the latest science behind Chamomile from Yun-Lei Dai (2023) That shows just how packed with active constituents it is!
‘A total of 301 compounds have been reported in Chamomile including:
26 organic acids, 50 flavonoids, 10 coumarins, 102 volatile oil constituents, 39 monoterpenes, 27 sesquiterpenes, 2 diterpenes, 3 triterpenes, 16 sterols, 6 polysaccharides, 3 guaiacolides, 7 trace elements and 10 other components’.
Dai went on to conclude the following:
- Flavonoids represented by apigenin have significant anti-inflammatory effects.
- Esters in volatile oils have sedative and anxiolytic (reduce anxiety) effects.
- Chamomile also has anti-infective, antioxidant, antiallergic and antidepressant effects.
- Chamomile speeds up skin wound healing.
All the chamomiles, Roman, German and Wild are amazing for allergies, soothing flares up and sore and irritated skin. Making Chamomile the perfect choice for your skincare for sensitive skin.
Calendula Absolute
Apologies, I’m back in the realm of the more expensive, but only briefly! Calendula Absolute should be considered for your skincare for sensitive skin if you also suffer from skin conditions where the skin is broken or weeping.
Calendula is a master at healing the skin and doing it super fast too, probably due to its high antioxidant constituents.
If your budget does not stretch to the Absolute, find some of the flowers and steep the petals in some carrier oil for a couple of weeks and use that. It will become imbued with the beautifully soothing effects of Calendula.
Pairing it with Myrrh essential oil turns it into a skin healing powerhouse for your skincare for sensitive skin.
Calendula oil can upset some people who are allergic to plants within the Chrysanthemum family. Therefore, always do a patch test of 1% diluted Calendula Absolute before using it in your skincare for sensitive skin preparations.
Rose Essential Oil
Rose essential oil or absolute is generally pretty well tolerated in skincare for sensitive skin. Rose is renowned as a skin food and for its skin soothing and nourishing actions.
As you would expect from the section on Rosewater, Rose oil is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and has significant antiseptic properties.
Those complex arrays of antioxidants assist in healing and improving the quality and appearance of your skin. It is a wonderfully soothing and refreshing tonic for your sensitive skin care.
Use it in gentle cleansers, toners and micellar water for its astringent properties. Contributing towards improved tone and a noticeable uplift of the skin as the muscles contract and tighten.
In moisturizers, nourishing creams and serums it's perfect for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, smoothing and refining the appearance of the skin. All while protecting your sensitive skin
If you have acne, Rose oil can be a boon in your skincare for sensitive skin as it has both citricasant (wound healing) and antioxidant actions. The actions may reduce the potential formation of scar tissue and help marks and blemishes on the skin to fade quickly.
Rose essential oil can be used to refine the appearance of the skin and reduce the appearance, of acne and pox scars, wound scars and stretch marks.
Use Rose in your skincare for sensitive skin to feed, nourish and replenish your skin. It will make your complexion appear bouncier, brighter, and more luminous.
Lavender Essential Oil
Come on! You knew it was going to be here somewhere! I am sure by now we all know about the fantastic soothing and calming effects of Lavender essential oil. It does not just do that for your mood, it does exactly the same for your skin too!
Lavender should be a basic ingredient in your skincare for sensitive skin. If you really cannot stand it, then leave it out, but it would be a shame to miss out on all its valuable attributes on sensitive skin.
Lavender cleans the surface of the skin with its antimicrobial and antiseptic actions. Citricasant, or wound healing actions, help heal small pimples, spots and blemishes. It reduces inflammation and can even reduce soreness, irritation and pain. Its nervine actions can be particularly useful when it comes to itching caused by nerve spikes or damage.
Lavender really is exceptionally useful in skincare for sensitive skin, make friends with it and introduce it into your products for sensitive skin and your long term skincare routine.
Carrier Oils
Carrier Oils should always be part of your skincare for sensitive skin regimen. They are super nourishing for your skin and are high in lipids and essential fatty acids. Carrier oils like Rosehip and Sea Buckthorn have super high levels of Linoleic Acid which is crucial for skin repair, and regeneration and for smooth, plump, healthy looking skin.
Jojoba carrier oil is the one that most closely resembles the skin’s natural sebum and therefore it's usually the best tolerated by those with sensitive skin.
The coconut carrier oil is another that seems to suit most people and is perfect for nourishing, hydrating and moisturizing dry, itchy and irritated skin.
For your own skincare for sensitive skin, try Jojoba, Coconut and Rosehip first and then introduce carrier oils like Avocado, Sweet Almond and Argan. If you have a nut allergy - avoid nut oils please for obvious reasons!
TOP TIP: Always use a maximum of 10% Rosehip carrier oil and a maximum of 40% Avocado oil for your overall preparation as they are particularly potent!
Can I Use VINEVIDA Fragrance Oils in Skincare For Sensitive Skin?
It’s a great question and a difficult one to answer.
Some of you will be able to use some of VINEVIDA’s fragrance oils in skincare for sensitive skin and some of you might not be able to use any.
We have done everything we can to reduce toxic nasties in our fragrance oil, therefore none of our fragrance oils contain SLES, SLS, Phthalates or Parabens. They are also cruelty free and never tested on animals.
The only way to answer this question is for you to try the ones that you are interested in. The new 10ml sizes make life even easier as the initial outlay is less. Our Soaps and Candles range is so versatile that even if you find you cannot use it in your skincare for sensitive skin you will be able to use it in a candle, room spray or reed diffuser instead! No need for any waste.
We have Vanillin free fragrance oils for those who are sensitive to it. It might be worth trying a couple from this range first and see how you get on.
You can also check the IFRA Statement of each fragrance oil for Cosmetic Allergens, especially if you already know which ones you are most reactive to. It is also something to keep your eye on and see if any patterns occur when using fragrance oils. It might even highlight a potential culprit for you!
I am sorry my answer is not more helpful here, but you really do need to try them for yourself in your skincare for sensitive skin to see if they suit you. Again, some may, some may not. You can but try!
Always dilute them and patch test them first. Check their individual IFRA maximum safety dilution rates and follow those. If they have high maximum safe dilution rates always stick to below 3% for your first patch test and then work up from there. It’s rare you ever need more than about 10% in any skin care preparations.
Other Natural Ingredients For Skincare For Sensitive Skin
Let's look at some of the other best natural ingredients for skincare for sensitive skin. Some are purposefully more in depth than others, to demonstrate the potential to you of using these active ingredients in your skincare for sensitive skin.
Rosewater
Rosewater is top of my list, as it is wonderfully gentle for skincare for sensitive skin. Rose petals are full of vitamins A, B and E and make soothing ingredients in their own right. Try them mashed into a natural face mask.
Rosewater or Rose Hydrosol is packed with nutritive benefits, though it varies from plant to plant, country to country and distillation methods. The hydrosol usually contains the main components of:
- Phenol ethyl alcohol which is a good choice for those with sensitive skin as it is non-irritating and non-sensitizing. It aids in keeping pores clear as it is non-comedogenic, which is helpful for those with acne.
- Citronellol has antifungal properties and can be useful in cleansing and cleaning the skin, especially where there is a need to reduce skin irritation, like acne breakouts. It is known for managing the rashes caused by chronic dermatophytosis (ringworm). It may also provide anti-aging benefits.
- Geraniol is a natural antioxidant, widely used in the aromatherapy world. It also possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties.
Rosewater is a powerhouse of useful constituents for your sensitive skin.
Use it for:
Hydration
- Hydrate your skin and reduce water loss by penetrating deep into the skin. repairing dehydration damage and preventing excessive dryness.
- Rebalance the PH of your skin and restore the skin’s acid layer.
Cleansing
- Lift out impurities from pores and remove dead skin cells, dirt and grime.
- Control excess sebum to balance natural oils and prevent breakouts and pimples.
- Clarify the appearance of the skin and balance skin tone.
Reduce Inflammation, Irritation and Promote Healing
- Calm inflammation, especially inflammation associated with acne.
- Soothe itchiness and improve hydration.
- Support normal skin healing.
- Support healthy immunity to fight off infections.
- Reducing scars and dark spots and scars.
Reduce The Signs Of Aging
- Support healthy collagen production.
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and improve appearance and elasticity of the skin.
Rosewater is packed with active properties and benefits and is an inspired addition to your skincare for sensitive skin.
Aloe Vera
The words Aloe Vera are synonymous with the ideas of skin soothing, cooling and healing. With good reason too, Aloe Vera is a wonderfully soothing moisturizer, imbued with anti-inflammatory properties, which we now know is important in addressing sensitive skin and its related conditions.
It is rare that Aloe Vera is found to be irritating and is ideal for use on any skin type and for skincare for sensitive skin. Which is why it is so popular with dermatologists. Feily (2009) found Aloe Vera to be useful in the professional dermatological treatment of psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, lichen planus, burns, inflammation and wound healing, among many others.
Use it in Cleansers, Toners, Micellar Waters, Moisturizers, Body Lotions, Hand Lotions and a myriad of other skincare and toiletry applications.
Buy as pure and organic as possible and you can even use it fresh from the plant directly on your skin. However when using fresh plant matter in your skincare for sensitive skin, always use it in conjunction with a suitable preservative.
Glycerine
Glycerine is a wonderful humectant and is a useful product in your skincare for sensitive skin. A humectant will grab moisture from the air and plop it right into your skin cells for you. Fantastic to hydrate your skin more effectively.
This boost in moisture helps maintain that all important skin barrier function. It’s also something that we can use every day and will have a cumulative effect on our sensitive skin.
I include Glycerin in all of my skincare and most of my toiletries. Thinking about it, it’s probably the most consistent ingredient next to essential oils themselves! It is considered fragrance free and nonallergenic, try it out for yourself in your own skincare for sensitive skin.
Oats
I have found that Oats are a wonderful ingredient in my skincare for sensitive skin, particularly Colloidal Oatmeal. Take a look at the store shelf for products aimed at dry itchy skin and you’re sure to find a few products that use oats as an active ingredient.
Colloidal Oatmeal is wonderful at alleviating dry, itchy skin because of its soothing and moisturizing properties. It’s very useful at providing that protective layer over the skin, boosting our skin's natural barrier function. We know how important the barrier function is to keep skin to retain moisture and dehydration and keep nasties, like allergens, irritants and microbes out!
Skincare for sensitive skin can utilize Colloidal Oatmeal in Body Lotions and Butters, Face Masks and Moisturizers, Soaps and Shampoo bars and Hand Creams. It makes a super effective ingredient for use in the bath, I highly recommend it!
You won’t regret exploring the benefits of Colloidal Oatmeal in your skincare for sensitive skin.
Check out the science for yourself - Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa).
Organic Aqueous Cream
Make your life easier when creating your own skincare for sensitive skin and use an organic Aqueous Cream Base. You can use it to make all manner of products from Moisturizers, Cleansers, Body Lotions, Hand and Body Creams to name a few.
I promise, that once you discover all the ways that you can use an organic Aqueous Cream Base, you will be thrilled at the possibilities that it holds for you. Of course, before you start creating with it, patch test it first. Once your patch test is clear, over the following week, try it on your hands, then your body and finally, your face to check your tolerance. If everything is good, have fun creating!
By choosing organic you know that you are choosing the purest natural ingredients possible. This will also reduce your exposure to herbicide, pesticide and heavy metal residues in your skincare for sensitive skin.
Bentonite Clay
Gah! I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Bentonite Clay in my own skincare for sensitive skin.
I could wax lyrical and extol the virtues of Bentonite all day, but we don’t have all day! Potent with antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and packed with minerals like magnesium, calcium, and iron. It helps to soothe the redness of the skin and irritation, promote skin healing and reduce inflammation.
Lee (2022) even used it to soothe burns on Yucatan piggies! And, Moosav (2017) Thought so much of it that she concluded:
‘Considering that Mother Nature has a cure for everything, the assessment of natural elements such as this clay should be considered in modern medicine’.
Introducing Bentonite Clay into your skincare for sensitive skin can have far reaching effects not just for your sensitive skin, but for your whole body. Don’t believe me? Read this - Bentonite Clay as a Natural Remedy: A Brief Review.
Fresh Fruit
There is something quite childlike about taking ripe strawberries and smooshing them all over your face. It feels a little wild, an icy bit naughty and oh so good!
Introduce fresh fruits into your skincare for sensitive skin, Bananas, Watermelon, Cucumber and Pineapple are all perfect for use with sensitive skin. Packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, fruit can be a powerhouse of nourishment and hydration for your sensitive skin.
Check out DIY Natural Face Masks: Revitalize Your Skin With Simple Ingredients for more information on suitable fruits and some fabulous recipes. Including one specifically for sensitive skin with Oats, Barley and Kaolin clay - which you can always swap out for Bentonite clay of course!
Make fresh fruit part of your skincare for sensitive skin and maybe eat some while you are there too! Avocados, Cherries, Grapes and Berries are all packed with anti-inflammatory properties.
Skincare For Sensitive Skin - The Recipes
This is the truly exciting part of skincare for sensitive skin, making your own products!
No more standing in the store deliberating over ingredients and weighing up if you can afford to waste the money if it does not suit your skin. Set all that aside!
Grab control and empower yourself to create the perfect regimen of skincare for sensitive skin entirely tailor made just for you. Bespoke skincare.
Not just that but if you have a flare up you can whip up something super gentle to ‘deal’ with it.
You will have complete control over EVERYTHING that you put onto your skin.
Sensibility and Responsibility
I just want to reinforce the need to be patient and take the time to individually patch test each ingredient before you start combining them in your new, exciting recipes. It will save you any nasty surprises, wasted resources and unnecessary expenses.
Also, pay attention when you change brands or manufacturers. Patch test those too. I had a recent issue with a Rosewater, which I swear was not actually Rosewater, but simply fragranced water. Had I used it in my skincare formulations I would have made a very expensive mistake and wasted some really precious essential oils.
Adopt the mantra of “Always test first”.
Micellar Cleanser
This is the perfect opener for your skincare for sensitive skin regimen. Use this gentle little number to thoroughly clean your skin. It will grab dirt and grime and lift it out from your pores. Naturally, the essential oils all imbue it with their active properties and benefits too!
- Roman Chamomile’s properties reduce inflammations, cool, soothe and soften the skin.
- Lavender’s actions clean, soften and soothe your skin with delicious herbal florals.
- Rose Geranium’s constituents balance the skin and improve the complexion with luscious rosy notes.
Now, this is different from store bought Micellar Waters because it is a recipe, purposefully designed for sensitive skin. It is formulated with pure and natural ingredients that are easy to source and buy and that you can achieve for yourself in the comfort of your own home with no specialist equipment.
If you wish to formulate Micellar Waters that compare with commercial varieties, watch this video from Whole Elise. Please note it is NOT formulated for sensitive skin and contains products that may not be naturally derived. I simply want to empower you with choice.
This recipe makes 100 ml of Micellar Cleanser.
You Will Need:
- Measuring jug
- Stainless steel spoon
- Funnel
- 100ml bottle
- Oil and waterproof label
Ingredients:
- 50 ml of Distilled Water (Aqua)
- 25 ml of Glycerin (Glycerol)
- Up to 15 ml of Castile Soap (Potassium Cocoate, Jojobate and Olivate)
- 5 ml of Rosehip Carrier Oil (Rosa Canina)
- 5 ml of Jojoba Carrier Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis)
- 10 drops of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis Nobilis L.)
- 5 drops of Rose Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium Asperum Var Roseum)
- 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia)
Optional - Organic preservative
Safety:
- Shake well before use to make sure ingredients are evenly dispersed.
- Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
- Avoid getting in the eyes. If the product does get in your eyes, rinse with clean tepid water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention taking the clearly labeled container with you.
Method:
If you are using an organic preservative, please check the instructions, as they can vary from product to product. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines.
- Measure out all of the essential oils and combine them with the carrier oils. Stir to thoroughly combine.
- Measure the Glycerine and Distilled Water and combine them together.
- Into the water and Glycerine mix, add the carrier and essential oils and mix well.
- Now, the point of adding the Castile Soap is to act as a dispersant and cause the oils to meld into the mixture. So start adding the Castile Soap, a little at a time. Try agitating lightly to disperse the oils, but not to the point where it starts to create bubbles and soapiness. Add a little at a time, you know you have enough when the oils no longer rise to the top and settle on the surface of the water. Depending on the strength of the Castile, you may need a spot more, if so, add it.
- Once everything is fully combined, use a funnel and decant into your 100ml bottle.
- Always label clearly on an oil and waterproof label. You need to list all of the ingredients for safety reasons.
- In addition, add the instruction to ‘Shake The Bottle Well Before Use’, it just ensures that if any oil does settle to the surface that it is getting evenly dispersed again before use.
How to Use:
- Do that 24- 48 hour patch test before the first use, please.
- Shake the bottle well to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Grab a cotton pad, I really like these reusable ones. I also find the fluffier microfibre ones are gentler on my face too!
- Dispense the Micellar Water onto a pad and remove makeup, traces of dirt and daily grime by working the damp pad gently around the face and neck.
- You may need to use another pad, especially if you are wearing makeup, this is why reusable and washable ones are indispensable!
- You don’t need to wash it off, simply follow with a Toner to close your pores.
- The date you label and use it within 3-6 months.
Toner
No skincare for sensitive skin regimen would be complete without a Toner. The great thing about Toners is that they are dual purpose, lifting out any tenacious bits of oil and grime that the Micellar Cleanser missed. It will close up all of your pores, leaving your skin clean, soft, smooth and glowing with health.
If you are not used to using a Toner, try introducing the super gentle, Rosewater rich one into your skincare for a sensitive skin regimen. It makes such a difference.
You Will Need:
- Stainless steel spoon
- Small and large measuring jugs
- Funnel
- 100ml bottle.
- Oil and waterproof label
Ingredients:
- 70 ml of Rosewater (Rosa Damascena)
- 14 ml of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana)
- 10 ml of Glycerine (Glycerol)
- 5 ml of Rosehip Carrier Oil (Rosa Canina)
- 5 drops of Violet Leaf Absolute Oil (Viola Ordorata L.)
- 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia)
- 10 drops of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis Nobilis L.)
Optional - Organic Preservative of your choice - follow the manufacturer's guidance.
Safety:
- Shake the bottle well before use.
- Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
- Avoid getting in the eyes. If the product does get in your eyes, rinse with clean tepid water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention taking the clearly labeled container with you.
Method:
- In the large measuring jug, mix together the essential oil and Rosehip carrier oil.
- Then add the Glycerine and Witch Hazel and mix well.
- Simply top this level up to 100 ml with the Rosewater, and combine thoroughly.
- Use a funnel to help you keep your bottle clean and decant into a 100ml bottle.
- Use an oil and waterproof label, listing all ingredients clearly for obvious safety reasons.
- Add the instruction to ‘Shake Well Before Use’ and add a production date.
How To Use:
- Do not skip that 24-48 hour patch test, please.
- You want to apply this across the face, neck and decolletage to grab any last traces of the day and close up all those pores. Do this by popping a small dab onto a cotton pad and working around your face and neck.
- It makes sense to pay extra attention to any oily or dry areas.
- If necessary, use another clean cotton pad until you feel your skin is sparkling clean and glowing with vibrancy! (Yep, I know, some days that just ain't happening, do your best :))
- You don’t need to rinse this off, it’s better to get all the nourishing goodness to work.
- Follow with your choice of a Moisturizer or a Face Serum.
- Date your label and use this up within 3-6 months.
Moisturizer
A really good moisturizer is the backbone of your skincare for sensitive skin regimen. It is worth taking the time to get this right. I’ll add some pointers, so you can tinker with it until it really suits your skin and you hit the perfect formula!
This is a wonderfully light moisturizer that provides a happy balance of a superlight weight formula for daytime use but has enough hydration to keep your skin smooth, supple and velvety soft.
Perfect for creating a base for makeup, just give it five minutes to absorb and then set to work, on a lovely smooth blank canvas.
- Rose Absolute Oil is a skin food extraordinaire! Super nourishing, and refreshingly soothing.
- Violet brings that super soothing caress and a lovely fresh green fragrance.
This moisturizer really is my all time favorite preparation for skincare for sensitive skin. It feels light, but luxurious, hydrating and is so beautifully refreshing. You can almost feel your skin ‘drinking in’ the goodness.
You Will Need:
- Heatproof measuring jug
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Stainless steel spoon
- Jar funnel
- 100ml jar and lid
- Oil and waterproof label
Ingredients:
- 35 ml of Aqueous Cream (Various Ingredients)
- 10 ml of Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii)
- 10 ml of stabilized Aloe Vera Gel (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract )
- 25 ml of Rosewater (Rosa Damascena)
- 10 ml of Glycerine (Glycerol)
- 10 ml of Rosehip Carrier Oil (Rosa Canina)
- 10 drops of Rose Absolute Oil (Rosa Damascena)
- 5 drops of Violet Leaf Absolute Oil (Viola Ordorata L.)
Optional: Organic Preservative of your choice, please follow the manufacturer's instructions as they can vary from product to product.
Safety:
- Do not use it in the first 37 weeks of pregnancy.
| Do Not Miss Out |
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| Don’t miss out because your budget just cannot stretch that far for expensive Absolutes and essential oils. I hear you and I feel you! We are in the worst cost of living crisis since World War Two. Take care of the budget and use these amazing essential oils as viable alternatives they are wonderfully soothing and suitable for sensitive skin too. |
|
In 100ml of Moisturizer add: 10 drops of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis Nobilis L.) 5 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon Cablin) 10 drops of Rose Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium Roseum X Asperum) |
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Safety: Do not use the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. |
Method:
- Use the lowest setting available to you on your microwave, usually about 20%, go lower if you can!
- Into a heatproof measuring jug, place the chopped up Shea Butter. You aim to soften the Shea Butter and use 20% power, in short sequences of 10-20 seconds.
- You only need the Shea Butter to be softened, not melted.
- Grab a whisk or hand whisk and combine it thoroughly with the Aqueous Cream. Ideally, whisk it all together, otherwise, just beat it well with a spoon.
- TOP TIP: Try not to add too much air while whisking or the moisturizer will sink back into the jar as the air escapes over time. The cream base is not thick enough to hold the air in place like Whipped Butter might.
- Add your Glycerin, Aloe Vera Gel and Rosewater, and mix well again.
- This is a good time to check your consistency and tinker with it if necessary, see my pointers below.
- Measure out your Rosehip carrier oil and mix it with the essential oils.
- Pour the oils into the cream and whisk everything together.
- Use a jar funnel and decant the moisturizer into the jar.
- You want to do everything you can to discourage the formation of mold, even if you did use a preservative! Wipe the rim meticulously and cover the with a clean cloth, and leave it to cool completely.
- NEVER do this while it is still warm, it is this moist environment that can encourage mold.
- Once the moisturizer has fully cooled, you can fasten the lid in place.
- Date clearly and list all of the ingredients on an oil and waterproof label for safety.
How To Use:
- Guess what? You got it! 24-48 patch test before the first use, please.
- If your skin is feeling dry, taut and a bit fragile, be really gentle with it and take extra care not to drag the skin. This is especially important around the eyes where the skin can be very thin and ultra delicate.
- Apply the Moisturizer with your clean fingertips in light, upward motions to the skin of the face, neck and decolletage.
- Let it absorb for five minutes to create the perfect base for applying makeup.
- Date your label and use it up within 3-6 months.
How To Tinker With This Moisturizer
I love teaching you these little tweaks because it empowers you and gives you control to completely tailor make this to suit your needs.
Get to grips with the basics and then don’t be afraid to experiment.
Make it Thicker and Richer
Remember this is very light, so you can make it richer by adding a higher ratio of Aqueous Cream or cosmetic butter like Shea, Cocoa or Mango butter. You could even add some Beeswax for an extra layer of protection. The thicker it becomes the more you shift it towards using it as a barrier type cream or using it at night.
You can also thicken it with a little White Kaolin and Bentonite Clay. Bentonite will affect the overall color of your formulation, but White Kaolin will not. Clay will absorb oil, so it’s a good way to balance a cream that feels too oily for you. Not so good if you want a high oil content on your skin though!
Dealing With Acne
If you have Acne, add more oil. Yes…more oil! For some people with acne, this may seem the antithesis of what you need to do, but trust me when I say your skin is overproducing sebum because it needs more oil in its overall balance.
Jojoba is the closest thing to our own natural sebum and is always a great choice, but Tamanu has amazing anti-inflammatory and skin healing properties, see below.
Need more information on getting to grips with acne? Check out this little gem - Revolutionary Acne Kit: Essential Oils For Clearer Skin!
Dermatitis An Issue?
Add in Tamanu carrier oil as well as the Rosehip carrier oil. Pribowo (2021) concluded that of Tamanu,
‘It has been proven to have potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, and even wound-healing abilities. These properties make tamanu oil an especially interesting candidate for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
To Improve Hydration
Grab some Oats and soak them overnight in your Rosewater. Pop a cotton square over a sieve and strain the rosewater out of the oats, squeezing every last drop of goodness from those Oats. Don’t throw the Oats away, use them to make a Natural Face Mask.
Now this addition of Oats will affect your shelf life, so only make a small batch and keep it in the fridge and use it up within 4 weeks. However, a good organic preservative could help extend the shelf life a little.
Tell ‘Em About The Honey Mummy
Yes, I know you have to be as old as the hills to get that Sugar Puffs advert reference from the 1970’s! (And possibly British). But, you will remember that Glycerine is a Humectant and plops moisture into your skin cells from the air.
Well, so does Honey.
Honey is packed with vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids and beneficial enzymes. It has quite strong antimicrobial properties. It can be used in skincare for sensitive skin for its humectant, emollient and skin soothing and hair conditioning actions. Adding Honey to a Moisturizer is rather magical, improving hydration, regulating pH and preventing pathogen infections. It also helps keep the skin smooth, supple and helps stop the formation of fine lines. Follow the science from Burlando (2013).
Some honey has a high water content so it mixes well in water based creams like this and less well in wax based salves! (Though, I've been known to skip the salve process altogether and just rub a fingerful of fresh honeycomb on my skin, wax, honey, super effective).
So there we go, plenty of alternative ways to tailor your moisturizer exactly to your specific and individual needs. Have fun!
Serum
Every skincare for sensitive skin regimen should have some form of Serum in it. Some of you may need richer and oilier serums than others.
It pays to try different carrier oils until you find one that really suits your sensitive skin's needs. Don’t be afraid to swap and change them as your skin's needs change with the seasons or your general health and well-being.
Find more Serum ideas for your skincare for sensitive skin regimen here - How To Make Face Serum With Essential Oils.
You Will Need:
- Measuring jug
- Stainless steel spoon
- Funnel
- 50 ml Pump container
- Oil and waterproof label
Ingredients:
- 30 ml of Jojoba Carrier Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis)
- 10 ml Tamanu Carrier Oil (Calophyllum Inophyllum L)
- 5 ml of Rosehip Carrier Oil (Rosa Canina)
- 5 ml of Glycerin (Glycerol) or Runny Honey (Mel)
- 5 drops of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis Nobilis L.)
- 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia)
- 5 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon Cablin)
Safety:
- Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Method
- In a measuring jug, mix all of your carrier oils together
- Add the Glycerin and stir.
- Carefully add the essential oils and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Use a funnel and decant your mixture into your pump container.
- Label with an oil and waterproof label, and list all ingredients clearly
- Add the instruction to ‘Shake Well Before Use’.
How To Use:
- Patch test, patch test, patch test!
- Use one good pump and use your fingertips to apply it gently to the skin in upward circular motions.
- One pump should do your face and neck, you may need another for your decolletage.
- Only use serum 2-3 times a week, especially with Sensitive Skin, once may even be enough, learn to listen to your skin.
- As your skin improves and the cumulative effects kick in, you may be able to reduce the amount you use it.
The Final Word on Skincare For Sensitive Skin
Feeling like you can take complete control of your skincare for sensitive skin can be empowering. No more standing in stores, wondering if you are about to waste your money on yet another product your sensitive skin will not tolerate.
Get The Base Ingredients Patch Tested
Spend time and patch test this range of suggested base ingredients, and see what you can work with and what’s out the window. You are sure to be able to find an alternative to work with instead. For instance, if one particular brand of Aqueous Cream Base does not suit you, try another with different base ingredients.
It is trial and error, but this will give you a whole range of ingredients so that you can create a myriad of exciting skincare for sensitive skin products and toiletries for yourself. Once you crack that, you’re laughing!
Work Out Which Essential Oils Suit You
Once you have your base ingredients for skincare for sensitive skin sorted, move on to the essential oils and work through those. I’d only do about 2 a week if you have hypersensitive skin. Take your time with it, these results will last you a lifetime, and save any major changes in your skin health.
I highly recommend trying Violet Leaf, despite its price tag. Look for a supplier who will let you buy 1 ml to try it out. Even if they don’t offer it on their webshop, call and ask, some suppliers will sell these expensive absolutes in 1 ml volumes. Failing that, start with Roman Chamomile.
Always patch test a new essential oil individually before trying it in any of your products. This is especially important for citrus oils. I absolutely love both Lime and Kaffir Lime essential oils, but boy they don’t like me! Working in this way saves you from making potentially expensive mistakes and helps you avoid potentially disappointing outcomes.
What About Fragrance Oils?
My honest advice would be to get your skin used to the range of ingredients and essential oils that you can use, before introducing any fragrance oils.
I know what it feels like to not be able to use a Body Lotion of my favorite perfume, or a matching Body Spray, Soap etc etc. It can be soul numbing after some time and you feel like you are missing out.
Get your skin in a GREAT place first using these natural base ingredients and gentle essential oils before you even try introducing fragrance oils into your skincare for sensitive skin.
Also, look at my article Create Your Own Signature Scent: Guide To Fragrance Notes & Oils. It teaches you how to take the scent notes of your favorite perfumes and create harmonious accords with essential oils and/or fragrance oils to create products that will underpin your Signature Scent.
Check out Layering Perfumes With Essential Oils - The Body Edition to expand on the idea and give you plenty of exciting options. This way you will never feel like you are missing out and have a whole heap of possibilities for your skincare for sensitive skin.
Amazing Skincare For Sensitive Skin
Amazing skincare for sensitive skin is literally at your fingertips. Tailor make your own bespoke
Micellar Cleanser, Toner, Moisturizer and Serum that suits you down to the ground.
After that make your own Body Lotions, Hand Creams and Body Butters. Pretty soon you will be reveling in all this glorious skincare and you’ll look and feel amazing.
You will wonder why you haven’t been making your own skincare for sensitive skin for years. Start now!
