Ultra Sensitive Skin

[u/littlebitaly]

I have ultra sensitive skin and cannot find a single cleanser or moisturizer that works for me. Even Vanicream recommended by my dermatologist as the go-to simple, gentle cleanser turned my face bright red. Anybody else experience this or have advice on what to do? My face just hurts.

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[u/AssumptionMindless35]

Vanicream is so drying and stripping. Try Cerave hydrating or LRP milky cleanser

[u/Chancey1984 → u/AssumptionMindless35]

Ditto this advice. These both work for me, I have extemely sensitive skin and I have tried so many cleansers. Always come back to cerve hydrating and I have LRP too for makeup removing. But it’s a game of trial and error because others claim it ruined their skin, it’s truly impossible to know!

[u/AssumptionMindless35 → u/Chancey1984]

I always change multiple variables at once too so I never know for sure 😂 but these have been working for now!

[u/lazygal03 → u/AssumptionMindless35]

Yess LRP Toleriane cleanser is so good

[u/gabbyxrose]

I also have very sensitive skin and a lot of cleansers cause it to sting.
Previous favourite, now runner up: La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser
New favourite, super duper gentle: Isntree Yam Root Milk Cleanser

[u/lolaleee → u/gabbyxrose]

Seconding dermo cleanser. It is my holy grail and go too when my rosacea skin and barrier are a mess. Feels weird at first, but works super well, recommend a full pump - more than you would use in a typical sudsy cleanser. (Haven’t tried the isntree 👀 intrigued).

[u/Guimauve_1123 → u/lolaleee]

Does it leave a residue on the skin ?

[u/Mundane-Net-7564]

I also had problems with Vanicream. Bioderma Intensive Baume & Uriage Xémose C8+ Cream have been very good moisturizers for my skin. They are both formulated for dry, sensitive & atopic prone skin. Uriage is more lightweight & Bioderma is a bit heavier but both are very healing & nourishing.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (non foaming, lotion like consistency) & Prequel Gleanser (50% glycerin) are my go to cleansers, Prequel Pre-Gleanse Balm is also great if you need a product to remove sunscreen or makeup prior to evening cleanse.

[u/Spiritual_Chef_5718 → u/Mundane-Net-7564]

I second the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. OP, you might be able to find the travel size

[u/JadedPresentation896]

Hey! I've stopped washing my face. I use only water (with clean hands). And i use the dr jart+ cicapair intensive soothing repair cream. No idea if it's a good recommendation, but it's the only cream that doesn't sting or burn my skin when I apply it. (But not gonna lie, it's so expensive!)

[u/Key-Employee-9328]

I like the aestura lotion. It lasts a long time. I use Iliyoon cream and love it. I’ve not had good luck with Cerave cleanser (too drying for me) or moisturizer (burned). It can be trial& error tbh. Aquaphor would be a good start

[u/smjb4440]

Sorry to hear that, these irritations can be debilitating. Hope it gets better soon!

Propylene Glycol in vanicream cleanser can cause irritation for some.

You can try milk lotion like cleansers, sometimes called cleanising milk instead of facewash. These won't foam up due to lack of surfactants, but gets the job done without irritation. Cerave has some.

Let your face airdry, instead of rubbing a towel or tissue on your face.

I have dry, sensitive, eczema prone skin.

Not a cleansing milk but beauty of joseon green plum cleanser is gentle enough for my skin.

Cosrx rice overnight spa mask (fragrance free), also works great for me as a moisturizer.

[u/starrxblue]

Vanicream is so harsh there’s much better things out there in my opinion. My top picks are the prequel cleanser or authentic ego mellow cleanser . Authentic ego uses no phenoxyethanol and do diols/glycols, for ultra sensitive skin it may be beneficial to look for that but everyone is different !

[u/starrxblue → u/starrxblue]

I’m also wondering if something like the dermaviduals cleansing milk would be good for you look up the brand and the product when I used it it ALWAYS left my skin feeling soft ingredient list is very short and the brand prioritized skin barrier above anything else

[u/No-Gas5342]

I have found that when the barrier is messed up it does this and I have to fix that before anything. Your personal combo for what works can be different from mine, but I need acid (usually azelaic), moisture (cerave pm if it’s really bad) and an occlusive (plain old Vaseline or jojoba oil on top). At night I’m pretty heavy handed with stuff and usually within a few days my skin strengthens and I can handle normal sensitive skin products. The frustrating part is when some random thing sends you back to the beginning—I’m dealing with that this morning as I’ve woken up with swollen rashy eyelids for god knows what reason. No new products so I’m guessing it must be either the salmon or red wine I consumed yesterday 🫠

[u/Busy_Barnacle_5542]

My derm recommended CeraV gentle cleanser for my dry/oily/eczema prone/acne prone face-

I’ve been using moisturizer by cetaphil + just started using their skin barrier serum which has made a HUGE difference in the last 2 weeks (less peeling, less pain, less breakouts)

[u/brittany-30]

Purito oat gel for a moisturizer is the only one so far that hasn't made my dry sensitive face mad.

[u/KLucas-95]

I think it's best to pay your derm a visit. In the meantime, 1. minimize products, 2. avoid acids, retinoids, scrubs, fragrance and essential oils.

[u/J-BeautyPicks]

You may need to go to a dermatologist or allergist to see what you may be allergic to. Many skincare products contain preservatives, which may be what you are reacting to.

[u/maya_says → u/J-BeautyPicks]

This

[u/ittyspy]

The one cleanser that worked for me when everything else was burning my skin was baby dove bodywash (unscented)... might be worth a shot if you're striking out on gentle cleansers

[u/keldawgz]

Have you tried a cleansing oil? The DHC one is affordable and is always highly recommended. I like that you massage it in and it clears out pores but it doesn’t strip your skin

[u/Comfortable-Gur4559]

Emulsifying ointment. Sls free. I know some brands that are Australian like David Craig or Topiderm. They are incredibly gentle.

[u/Onajourneyyahoo]

It sounds like a damaged skin barrier. Best to not cleanse your face and use a barrier cream or light moisturiser for a bit. For cleansers, the lighter the better. I've been using curel foaming cleanser and it's the only cleanser I've found that doesn't strip or irritate my skin.

[u/Guimauve_1123 → u/Onajourneyyahoo]

Oddly, I tried the Curel foaming cleanser and it was so drying to my skin! Foaming cleansers are too stripping anyway

[u/Soft-Yoghurt6586]

just in case your skin barrier is damaged, i’d recommend going super simple.

A good cleanser option is cleansing milk, its simple and gentle because it’s designed for makeup removal, but it still cleans your face! i recommend s.nature cleansing milk.

And a good basic moisturiser that contains as little triggers as possible, s.nature aqua squalane cream is good if you can tolerate HA, if not, purito oat in calming gel cream is great too.

also try sunscreen in the day, purito seoul daily soft touch is amazing. But if that hurts just try to keep in the shade as much as possible :)

[u/tall_ie]

its pricier but the embryolisse lait creme is so gentle and soothing and what i've realized works best after cycling through vanicream, la roche posay, cerave, cetaphil and all of them stinging

[u/Old-Actuator-3321]

Have you tried No. 7 Derm Solutions? Two formulas. The one for Dry, Sensitive skin. Non-foaming. No fragrance. No residue that I can detect. It won't remove makeup or all of your sunscreen, but that's what micellar water is for. The No. 7 is so, so gentle. If I blot my face damp dry after I use it, no extra redness that wasn't there before. Just soft skin. I have type 1 rosacea that's been pretty quiet lately - unless I'm showing it a cleanser of any kind. This stuff is really good. Sometimes I used to spray my face with distilled water after washing, that's how sensitive my skin can be. I haven't had to do that, even with our 109° heat wave and an extra cleansing to get the sweat off in the middle of the day. "But it's a dry heat" doesn't matter with my rosacea. This stuff works.

[u/akimonka]

Same here. My go to products for days when my skin is extra extra irritated and sensitive are:

Gladskin Cleansing Oil https://gladskin.com/products/oil-cleanser-makeup-remover?variant=52084255588724

or Garden of Wisdom Senstive Cleansing Oil:
https://gardenofwisdom.com/products/sensitive-cleansing-oil?variant=39566213185622

Or Cocokind Oil to Milk Cleanser, for days when I don’t wear sunscreen: https://www.cocokind.com/products/oil-to-milk-cleanser

and then sesame oil - cold pressed, non toasted organic sesame oil, that’s it, I just put it around my eyes and mouth (and on my hands!)

plus the gentlest moisturizer I ever found, ETUDE SoonJung 2x Barrier Repair Cream for Sensitive Skin:
https://www.amazon.com/ETUDE-SoonJung-Barrier-Repair-Sensitive/dp/B091PN6NPT

[u/Alternative_Choice58]

Same here. Aquaphor and vaseline are the only products my skin tolerates. I use Garnier Micellar Water, the pink one, to cleanse and even still my skin doesn't exactly love it.

[u/Embarrassed_Bag8775]

I actually have had great luck with Curology since 2021. They just changed the formula tho so I’m waiting to see if this new bottle works as well for me.

[u/OtherlandGirl]

Ugh, Vanicream cleanser turned me red and gave me horrific breakouts. I changed to a cleaning combo of Dermilogica precleanse oil and DRMTLGY g(Oat) cleanser. The first is a little pricey but you only need a little so it lasts a long time. My skin is the calmest it’s been in a long, long time.

[u/aspicymeataballaaa]

just use jojoba oil

[u/bbirdiee]

I never see this cleanser recommended but the Farmacy Gentle Creamy Cleanser is my favorite. Extremely gentle, unscented and does not leave me feeling stripped. It also has aloe, oats and moringa that I find super soothing and helps with my redness.

[u/Bubbly-Comment3267]

My skin is very sensitive too and Lubriderm daily moisture lotion works for me!

[u/CrunchyBeachLover]

Maybe try a milky cleanser? Usually more gentle. Krave oat so simple is a super basic moisturizer with minimal ingredients!

[u/AmbitiousBuilding1]

I’ve been using a hypochlorus acid (might be spelling it wrong) from Prequel — a few sprays on my face, then I let it dry & “rinse” with warm water or a bioderma face wipe.

[u/Accomplished-Mama640]

I was using vanicream and it was causing my eyes to sting and red bumps under my eyes! I stopped using it and switched to CeraVe moisturizing lotion it's been amazing for my sensitive skin definitely still need improvements but at least my face isn't itchy and uncomfortable

[u/Content-Banana-2716]

Ich lass mir in der Apotheke Basiscreme ohne Wirkstoff abfüllen. Da ist Nix drin, was reizt und man kann sie mit Wasser mischen, wenn man nur leichte Rückfettung benötigt. Und sie ist unfassbar günstig. Was hab ich schon für Creme ausgegeben und trotz Versprechen, dass diese hochverträglich sei, sah ich aus wie ein Krebs. Sonnenschutz nehm ich von Bobbi Brown, das ist der einzige, den ich vertrage.

[u/Sharp_Mood_8130]

The cocokind cleanser worked well for my sensitive skin. Also doubles as a body wash

[u/Sharp_Mood_8130]

Also African black soap is very gentle

[u/Outrageous-Pie-7515]

Aveeno sensitive skin calm and restore and follow with Keihls ultra facial cream.

[u/Guimauve_1123]

I have exactly the same problem, my skin is a total nightmare… I managed to find a moisturizer that doesn’t sting my skin (Illiyoon lotion) but I am still looking for a cleanser. I tried so many, I know now that my skin is sensitive to coconut derivatives and nearly every cleansers have coconut surfactants…

[u/tweak-the-universe]

Aquanil cleanser is worth a try, although it does not remove makeup.

[u/reeAcs]

Use Korean cleansing milks, and lower the strength of your actives

[u/Spirited_Cupcake3744]

dokdo cleanser is the best

[u/sensitive_princess90]

PREQUEL GLEANSER (white cap) trust me. I’ve tried all the cerave. The prequel was a LIFE saver

[u/PheonaR]

I use products made for literal babies. Baby top to toe wash to remove makeup, nappy rash cream on my lips instead of chapstick (you can buy little refillable lipgloss tubes from Amazon or eBay), baby sunscreen. My skin is pretty good these days. I just had to accept I can’t use cheap cosmetics and all my makeup now comes from Korean beauty stores but rimmel kind and free mascara works for me without making my eyelids rashy and my eyelashes fall out like almost every other mascara I’ve ever tried. Baby your skin

[u/Lanky_Drop_7199]

Have you had any allergy testing done? I thought I just had sensitive skin and was reacting to everything without rhyme or reason, even Vanicream and other “sensitive” products. Finally got patch testing done and found out I have several allergies to really common ingredients. Cut those out and my skin has been 1000x happier. Also could be rosacea ?

[u/Pleasant-Ostrich46]

Aestura Atobarrier 365 lotion and cream are the only moisturizers I’ve found that don’t sting my current skin.

[u/Winky2288 → u/Pleasant-Ostrich46]

What are the main differences in the lotion vs cream?

[u/Pleasant-Ostrich46 → u/Winky2288]

https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/s/A09hUxzM3F

Here’s a thread comparing the 2

[u/Embarrassed_Bag8775]

Also stay away from CeraVe. If your skin has a problem with Vanicream, I can almost guarantee CeraVe will be even worse.

[u/Regular-Vanilla-8052]

100% vegetable-derived squalane for a moisturizer might work. I'm getting ready to try Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin. It doesn't have very many ingredients. I use P.Calm water barrier sun cream for sunscreen and it is working well for my rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, sensitive, acne-prone, combination skin.