Skin guide/Sensitivity & Redness
My playbook

Sensitivity & Redness

Calm reactive skin, reduce redness, and slowly rebuild tolerance to products.

less is more here
Best finds
For sensitivity & redness
picked for this skin concern
  • ROUND LAB Pine Calming Cica Ampoule
  • TIRTIR Matcha Calming Cream
  • iUNIK Centella Relief Sorbet Cream
  • and more on my shelf
See them on my shelf →
Sound like you?
  • Skin that reacts to many products
  • Redness, stinging or burning sensations
  • Rosacea or eczema-prone skin
What I wish I knew sooner
  • Simplify ruthlessly: fewer products is better
  • Patch test everything new
  • See a dermatologist if redness is persistent

My routine, step by step

Morning and night. Skip the steps marked as optional if you want to keep it simple.

Morning

fast and light
1
Cleanseoptional
Cream or micellar cleanser, or water only
daily
2
Sootheoptional
Centella or a calming serum
daily
3
Moisturize
Fragrance-free, minimal ingredients
daily
4
SPF
Mineral sunscreen is often better tolerated
daily

Night

slow and caring
1
Cleanse
Gentle, low-pH cleanser
daily
2
Moisturize
Rich, barrier-supporting cream
daily
3
Sealoptional
Occlusive balm on dry areas
as needed

The ingredients I'd start with

You don't need all of them. Pick one or two and give them time.

Centella Asiatica
Also called: centella asiatica extract, madecassoside, asiaticoside

A calming plant extract, often called cica.

soothing / barrier repair / redness
Works at: Usually included as an extract or purified compounds, with no fixed standard
very gentle
Read moreCeramides
Also called: ceramide np, ceramide ap, ceramide eop

Skin-identical fats that help rebuild a damaged barrier.

barrier repair / moisture retention / sensitivity
Works at: Concentration is rarely listed; the formula as a whole matters
very gentle
Read moreNiacinamide
Also called: niacinamide, nicotinamide, vitamin b3

A vitamin B3 that supports the barrier and evens the look of skin.

pore appearance / barrier support / uneven tone / oil control
Works at: Effective at 2 to 5%, many products go up to 10%
very gentle
Read moreAzelaic Acid
Also called: azelaic acid

Useful for redness, acne and post-breakout marks.

redness / acne / post-breakout marks
Works at: Over-the-counter products usually have about 10%
quite gentle
Read moreHyaluronic Acid
Also called: hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate

A humectant that draws water into the surface of your skin.

hydration / plumping / tight skin
Works at: Usually 0.1 to 2%, and the molecular size matters more than the number
very gentle
Read more
From my bathroom shelf

What's on my shelf for this

ROUND LAB Pine Calming Cica Ampoule
ROUND LAB Pine Calming Cica Ampoule
TIRTIR Matcha Calming Cream
TIRTIR Matcha Calming Cream
iUNIK Centella Relief Sorbet Cream
iUNIK Centella Relief Sorbet Cream
haruharu wonder Rose PDRN Soothing Serum
haruharu wonder Rose PDRN Soothing Serum
ROUND LAB Pine Calming Cica Cream Plus
ROUND LAB Pine Calming Cica Cream Plus
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Quick Calming Pad
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Quick Calming Pad

Keep reading

Morning skincare routine for dry skin in winter→All skin goals→

This is general information from my own experience and reading, not medical advice. If your skin is painful, very irritated or not improving, please see a dermatologist.