Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? Add These Gentle Products to Your Routine

Stop stripping stressed skin with harsh products—try these gentle picks from Bubble Skincare to The Outset.

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We’ve all tried a product that left our skin feeling stripped and irritated during our quest for glass skin. It’s a bummer, and you likely threw that skincare item in the trash.

But if you have dry, sensitive skin—whether from harsh outdoor temperatures or an acne medication—you know how often a skincare reaction from a harsh product can happen.

Fortunately, plenty of skincare products will keep your skin plump and hydrated without causing an unwanted reaction—and lucky for you, our shopping experts found them all.

If you think skincare can’t be gentle and effective, these products from Bubble, The Outset, Solawave, and more will change your mind.

The thing about having sensitive skin is that you never know what is going to set it off. That’s why it’s important to keep your skincare routine as simple as possible. It’s time to ditch the 12-step routine and get back to basics.

Not only will streamlining your routine prevent skin dryness, it will also make is easier to identify which products are contributing to any skin irritation.

To combat skin sensitivity, there are a few things to keep in mind when shopping.

Look for soothing ingredients like cica to calm redness (we recommend Moira Cosmetics’ Skincure Cream), oat to soothe irritation, and peptides to hydrate dry skin and restore the skin barrier.

Scented products can further irritate sensitive skin, so it’s best to avoid products containing a fragrance or an essential oil. And while you can use active ingredients like acids and retinols, it’s best to start slow and limit usage to prevent skin sensitivity.

Plus, there are skincare brands out there that make it easy to find products for dry, sensitive skin.

We’re big fans of Scarlett Johansson’s line, The Outset. From its bestselling hydrating facial cleanser to its ultra-rich moisturizer duo, the products from this line are fragrance-free and made without harsh chemicals.

It’s time to baby your skin! Shop these gentle skincare products that will keep your sensitive skin feeling and looking its best. 

An E! reader favorite, this serum is exactly what you need if you’re looking to pump and hydrate your skin.

Gentle enough for daily use, this lightweight serum is made with hyaluronic acid and peptides to improve your complexion.

While most cleansers tend to strip dry, sensitive skin of important oils, this gel one from The Outset doesn’t.

That’s because it’s packed with antioxidants to gently remove dirt and makeup while leaving skin hydrated and bouncy.

Ideal for dry skin, this moisturizer will target any flaking, peeling, or itchiness you may be experiencing.

The ultra-hydrating cream, which includes ingredients such as shea butter and primrose oil, has a thick, rich texture that feels so calming on irritated skin.

When you shake this cleansing oil, it transforms into a creamy milk that helps dry skin retain much-needed moisture while removing any impurities that can potentially clog pores.

The result? Plump, hydrated skin.

Made with popular K-Beauty ingredient cica, this affordable cream calms redness and soothes irritation.

It also contains centella asiatica which can strengthen the skin barrier, helping inflamed skin retain crucial moisture.

Who can resist a sheet mask? These are designed specifically with sensitive skin in mind.

Available in a convenient multi-pick, both masks contain skin-soothing ingredients such as oat milk to target inflammation and reduce redness.

Looking to exfoliate without stripping your skin? This serum is just what you need.

It gently buffs away dead skin, while hydrating primrose oil and K-Beauty ingredient centella asiatica helps retain essential moisture.

This skincare duo proves that two can be better than one when it comes to combatting dryness. 

This set includes an açai- and avocado-based oil, plus a lightweight moisture made with squalene and rice extract. Together, they double down on providing maximum moisture to your skin.