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Skincare routine for sensitive skin

Sensitive skin reacts easily: it can sting, burn, itch or turn red with products, weather or stress. It does best with fewer, gentler products: a fragrance-free cleanser, a soothing moisturizer and daily sunscreen.

This is a general example, not your routine. The products that suit you depend on your age, concerns, ingredients you avoid and budget. The free quiz picks them for you in about two minutes.

Build your own routine →

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What sensitive skin needs

Every extra product is one more chance of a reaction, so the routine stays short and gentle. Fragrance-free formulas, soothing ingredients and a strong skin barrier matter more than anything else. Add new products one at a time.

Morning routine

1
Cleanser
Fragrance-free cleanser
Preps the skin without irritating it.
Lukewarm water, no scrubbing. Pat dry with a soft towel.
- ExampleClinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser 150ml26,80 €Notino →
2
Moisturizer
Balanced-texture cream
Locks in moisture and strengthens the skin barrier.
Patch test first. Try a new product on your inner forearm for a few days before using it on your face.
- ExampleFroika Sensitive Face Cream Rich 50ml20,11 €Pharmacy Online →
3
Sunscreen
SPF 30–50, broad spectrum
Essential every day, even when it's cloudy.
Mineral filters can be gentler. Sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are often better tolerated by reactive skin.
- ExampleFroika Sensitive Cream SPF30 50ml20,42 €Pharmacy Online →

Evening routine

1
Makeup & sunscreen remover optional
Cleansing balm, oil or micellar water
If you wore makeup or sunscreen, dissolve it first with one of these, then use your cleanser (double cleanse). On bare-skin days you can skip this step.
- ExampleLa Roche-Posay Toleriane Make-up Remover Milk 200ml19,00 €Notino →
2
Cleanser
The same cleanser as in the morning
Removes what's left of the day and preps your skin for your night care.
3
Moisturizer
The same moisturizer as in the morning
A simple moisturizer works morning and night — your skin doesn't need a separate night cream.

What to avoid

Fragrance (“parfum”) and essential oils, common causes of irritation. Check the ingredient list.
Changing several products at once. If your skin reacts, you won't know which one caused it.
Scrubs, peels and strong active ingredients while your skin is irritated.
Very hot water, saunas and rubbing the face dry.

Make it yours

If you also have redness, dehydration or wrinkles, the quiz adds a treatment for it, and it leaves out any ingredient you want to avoid. It also suggests an eye cream if you choose an eye-area concern.

Pregnant or breastfeeding? Some ingredients, such as retinoids, are not recommended. The example routine above contains none, and the quiz asks about it and leaves them out of your routine. Check any product with your doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Is sensitive skin the same as an allergy?

Not necessarily. Sensitive skin reacts more easily to many things; an allergy is a reaction to one specific ingredient. If you get swelling, hives or a rash that doesn't settle, see a doctor or dermatologist.

How do I patch test a new product?

Apply a small amount on your inner forearm or behind the ear once a day for a few days. If there is no redness or itching, try it on a small area of your face before using it everywhere.

Can sensitive skin use retinol or acids?

Sometimes, slowly and at a low strength, once the skin is calm. Many people with sensitive skin do better with gentler options. In the quiz you can list the ingredients you want to avoid.

My face is often red. Is that sensitive skin?

Frequent redness can also be rosacea, which a dermatologist can diagnose and treat. In the quiz, choose “Redness / sensitivity” as a concern.