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Trust us, these are the best moisturisers for sensitive skin, ever
No more unwanted flare-ups, just glowy, hydrated skin. Promise.
Trying to find your holy grail moisturiser can often be like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are so many different options available and it can be hard to know what’s actually going to be good for you – and things can be even more difficult to navigate if you’re amongst the 71% of adults with sensitive skin.
With a growing number of us being prone to redness, random flare-ups, itchiness or skin that often stings or burns, there are – predictably – also a whole lot more products available specifically targeted to you, which can make those shelves in Boots feel even more overwhelming to navigate, especially when you all you really want is a good moisturiser that’ll calm and care for your skin.
But don’t stress, because we’re here to help you figure it out, to tell you what ingredients to look for (and which to avoid), as well as sharing just a few of our tried and tested favourites.
What is sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin is categorised as being more prone to reactions, such as redness, itching and burning. It can often feel dry in patches, too, and can sometimes sting, especially when you apply certain products.
It’s not always something to be worried about, but if you are then it’s always worth speaking to your GP or seeking out an expert opinion. It’s also important to curate your routine accordingly, making sure that you don’t use products containing ingredients that could cause an unwanted flare-up.
That’s why the experts always suggest keeping things basic, don’t layer on loads of products and choose ingredients that’ll help soothe and care for your skin rather than those that could strip and aggravate it.
Ingredients to look for in sensitive skin moisturiser
If you have sensitive skin, look for moisturisers that contain ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, shea butter, colloidal oatmeal and niacinamide. They will all work to help restore and support your delicate skin barrier, as well as maintaining your hydration levels and protecting you against external aggressors, like pollution and blue light, that can all have a negative impact on skin.
It’s also worth opting for products that are fragrance-free. Of course, not everybody with sensitive skin will react to fragrance, but it’s a common trigger for a lot of people so it is best avoided if you ask us.
The best moisturisers for sensitive skin 2024
New to the UK, Aestura hails from Korea where it's the country's top dermatologist-recommended dermacosmetic brand.
The Atobarrier 365 cream is a favourite amongst loyal customers thanks to its 100 hour hydration promise. It's formulated with a soothing (and seriously impressive) blend of ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol alongside allantoin and squalane.
Trust Caroline Hirons to create a holy grail moisturiser perfect for using all year round and ideal for sensitive skin. Lightweight and hydrating, it's formulated with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and squalane.
It's nourishing but not greasy and can be used both morning and night – and whilst we know it's not cheap, it's worth every penny.
Another one that's a bit on the expensive side, but Kate Somerville's Delik8 Recovery Cream is one of the best we've tried. Best for sensitive skin that's on the drier side, it's packed with skin-soothing peptides and ceramides to comfort irritated skin.
Overtime, it'll help deeply moisturiser skin as well as working to strengthen the skin barrier. A true sensitive skin saviour.
A favourite amongst beauty editors for very good reason, you can always rely on La Roche-Posay to deliver on every level if you have sensitive skin.
Formulated with prebiotics, this lightweight, hydrating moisturiser rebalances the microbiome, targets sensitivity and reduces tightness and itching.
Created by a Harley Street doctor, Dr Sam's Flawless Moisturiser Intense is a barrier-boosting repair cream ideal for sensitive skin that's clinically proven to repair your skin barrier after the first use.
Rich but not greasy, it won't clog your pores and it layers well with both sunscreen and makeup, too.
Cheap, cheerful and very effective, this Simple moisturiser is one of our favourites. Combining a blend of ceramides, it nourishes and soothes sensitive skin, as well as helping to strengthen the skin barrier.
Infused with organic cica, it's super hydrating and promises instant relief against dry, irritated skin.
A rich moisturiser that promises to visibly minimise the redness and discomfort that very sensitive skin is often prone to, it has an almost balmy-type texture that has a soothing, cooling effect.
Formulated with a ceramide-building complex alongside a blend of resurrection plant, tasmania lanceolota extract, and boerhavia diffusa root, it'll also help balance the skin.
Another affordable but effective moisturiser, we love Aveenon's Calm+Restore range for its ability to quickly soothe and hydrate irritated, sensitive skin.
As its name suggests, it uses prebiotic oat to quench dry skin, plus the lightweight, fast-absorbing gel-like texture is ideal for the warmer months.
A clever, hydrating formula that uses a patented triple biotic complex of pre-, pro- and post-biotics that helps to support the skin's microbiome in a gentle but effective way possible.
Fragrance-free, it works to soothe, protect, nourish and brighten skin – all whilst repairing and supporting the skin barrier.
Japanese brand Curel formulates its products for sensitive skin, and its Intensive Moisture Facial Cream is a real stand out. Providing skin with long-lasting hydration, it protects the skin barrier thanks to the ceramide-rich formula.
It also contains eucalyptus extract, a plant rich in antioxidants that helps nourish the skin.
Using potent bio-active ceramides, this moisturiser not only targets visible signs of ageing (fine lines, we're looking directly at you), but it also helps deeply hydrate skin and support any sensitivity you might be experiencing.
A little bit goes a long way, and it absorbs quickly into skin without feeling greasy or oily. We love.
Lucy Partington (also known as LP or Lucy P) is a freelance beauty journalist. She started her career as Cosmo’s beauty assistant 12 years ago and has since written for titles including Stylist, ELLE, Red and British Vogue. She’s a big fan of sunscreen (and skincare in general), loves a strong brow and is constantly on the hunt for the glowiest, most long lasting foundation of them all.
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