The best soothing skin care buys for sensitive skin

Sensitive skin and oat extract were a match made in heaven, no doubt about it. As a world-class soother and promoter of healthy and calm skin, this oat cleanser promises to take the day away (yep, it removes makeup) while cleansing your skin without the nasty irritation.

$16 at Frank Body

Green tea (or matcha more specifically) has certainly done the rounds in the drinks department, it’s health benefits making it a crowd favourite. When it comes to skincare, the benefits of this green goodness are just as impressive. Working alongside niacinamide to even skin tone, green tea extract works to soothe inflammation and reduce skin sensitivity.

$65 from Tribe Skincare

Oils are one of the most potent topicals you can apply, so we'd recommend keeping things simple in this department. This liquid gold from The Jojoba Company is a one-of-a-kind,  moisturising and repairing skin around the globe. Sharing the same molecular structure as healthy human skin, jojoba oil restores balance, and improves nutrients and antioxidant reception.

$19.95 at The Jojoba Company

We swear this product sounds way more dramatic than it actually is, because yes, we know 'peel' is practically a trigger word for anyone that experiences inflammation. It's actually more of a mask, with a granule-free, low-intensity blend of papaya extract and milk protein that gives the skin a super light refresh without stressing it out. Basically, it's perfect for keeping your face congestion-free and calm; it's even recommended for people who suffer from rosacea, eczema and dermatitis.

$72 from Elemis 

SPF is another product that seems to have a 'can't live with it, can't live without it' vibe for sensitive skin types. It's a non-negotiable step, of course, but if you don't select a sunscreen specifically designed to soothe and protect, you could be in trouble. The solution? This oil-free hydrating SPF50. It's even packed with vitamin E and is super lightweight - hallelujah.

$39.95 at tbh.

A skincare routine is not complete without a skin barrier loving moisturiser. When used in combination with the Frank Body Nourishing Face Wash, your skin will be guarded with the ingredients to build up a strong skin barrier. Using ceramides to reduce water loss and keep the skin plump, squalane to deeply moisturise and smooth, and oat extract to soothe and calm sensitive skin, this moisturiser is a real triple threat. 

$16 at Frank Body

Searching for a soothing, hydrating serum that can help to support your all-too-sensitive skin barrier? This dreamy formula is just that! Enriched with pro-vitamin B5 as well as Avène's signatrue Thermal Spring Water, it aids in reducing discomfort (think tightness, burning, and dryness) while imparting a face-freshening veil of nourishing moisture.

$69.99 at Adore Beauty

No need to stress about any post-application stinging with this serum; it feels like your face is getting a hug from a cloud. Said cloud is of course brimming with hydrating hyaluronic acid; a bonus. It's technically more of a moisturising blend than a calming one, but dehydration is one of the biggest triggers for sensitive skin, so hydration is the handy helper you'll always need on your side to keep everything feeling cool, calm and collected.

$113 at Sephora

Summer time calls for bright, bouncy and radiant skin, and Tribe's Vitamin C Serum can give you just that. Packed with all-natural skin brightening ingredients, this Tribe serum will give you that summer glow in no time. Formulated with niacinamide, plant extract and Vitamin C to fight discolouration and flushing, Tribe has formulated this heroic serum with sensitive skin in mind.

$68 from Tribe Skincare

If you don't want too many cooks in your complexion's kitchen, applying your regular moisturiser day and night is just fine, but hey, if you want to dabble in an evening-specific option that's still soothing, this plant based gel-cream is a winner. Centred around the calming, healing, cooling benefits of tea tree, it's a luxurious-feeling but lightweight consistency that will hydrate without being too heavy.

$48 at Adore Beauty

Sensitive skin never met a mist it didn't like, right? Wrong. Some have iffy ingredients for inflammation (no energising vitamin C in our sprays, please) and some just aren't finely milled enough to provide the soothing veil of moisture we're craving. You're in luck with this lavender spray, though – with its namesake soother and aloe vera both in the mix, get ready to check into relaxation station stat.

$59 at Kora Organics

You know what feels pretty damn brilliant on flushed, inflamed skin? A swipe of an icy cold rose quartz face roller. Not only will it de-puff and soothe like a pro but the details (AKA the dried daisies in the handle) definitely add to the whole experience.

$49 at SelfAmour

If your skin breaks out into a rash at the mere thought of walking outside then we’ve got the perfect solution for you. Turn to a moisturising cream that’s literally created for super-sensitive baby skin. Now we know this might not be the cream that sits pride of place on your beauty shelf, but by God will it be the one you turn to on the daily. The pH balanced QV Baby Moisturising Cream is made with a low-irritant formula and totally sans fragrance. Get ready to lock in moisture and have your skin feel, well, baby smooth. 

$15.69 at Priceline