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Psst: Can I let you in on a little secret? I’m a beauty editor who doesn’t have clear skin. And in my never-ending quest for a flawless complexion, I’ve been using tretinoin face cream for a few months. The popular retinoid accelerates skin cell turnover to minimize my acne, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. While it has helped my original concerns, a few others have popped up in their place. Namely, the retinoid uglies of sensitivity, dryness, redness, and flakiness have become the bane of my existence. Since my usual skincare products aren’t nourishing enough for my newly-sensitive skin, I chatted with doctors to find the right at-home solution. Turns out that using a moisturizer for sensitive skin hydrates and protects. It manages symptoms like dryness and redness, making our skin more balanced and less prone to sensitivity, says dermatologist Dr. Tiffany Libby, MD.
And guess what? Even if you don’t have delicate skin or conditions like eczema or rosacea, using a moisturizer made for sensitive skin is preventative and helps maintain a healthy skin microbiome, says dermatologist Dr. Nicole Ruth, DO. Sensitive skin moisturizers are especially important after treatments like chemical peels and lasers, or during seasonal changes when your face tends to be more reactive, she says.
There are quite literally hundreds of moisturizers on the market to alleviate discomfort, itching, and burning sensitive skin. But not all of them are compatible with your unique skin type and beauty concerns. To help, I spoke with several doctors about their recommendations for the best moisturizers for sensitive skin, including those with oily, mature, and dry types.
Best Moisturizers For Sensitive Skin
What To Consider
Moisturizers that are safe for sensitive skin complement your skin type, have a minimal ingredient list, and are ideally fragrance-free.
Formulation
All of the experts I consulted say your moisturizer’s formulation matters—and you should let your skin type guide your shopping.
- Gels are lightweight, making them practical for oily, acne-prone sensitive skin. They can also be used by most people during the warm, spring and summer months, says Dr. Libby.
- Creams and ointments are ideal for dry or mature skin types. They’re generally richer and provide more barrier protection, which is ideal for dry or compromised skin, says Dr. Libby.
- Lotions have a consistency somewhere in between, so they’re great for normal and combination skin. Those with oily skin can also use lightweight lotions.
And if you’re still on the fence about which one works for you, Dr. Ruth suggests patch testing the new product on your neck or jawline to see which one is most comfortable without feeling heavy or clogging your pores.
Ingredients
👍 Our experts say the best moisturizer for sensitive skin has a minimal, non-irritating ingredient list that mimics or supports your skin barrier. Included on the list: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, squalane, and niacinamide. Also consider moisturizers made with natural, soothing ingredients, like aloe vera and colloidal oatmeal to calm irritated skin, says Dr. Libby. Centella asiatica reduces inflammation, promotes collagen production, and improves circulation, while allantoin soothes irritation, stimulates cell regeneration, and protects sensitive skin, she says.
👎 Skip moisturizers with fragrances, essential oils, or harsh preservatives that could trigger inflammation, says dermatologist Dr. Pooja Rambhia, MD. Also avoid drying alcohols, artificial dyes, and high concentrations of active ingredients like retinoids or exfoliating alpha- and beta- hydroxy acids. Menthol, parabens, sulfates, formaldehydes, and polyethylene glycols, are a few popular offenders to be cautious of, adds dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban, MD.
Fragrance-Free
Not everyone with sensitive skin will have a reaction to fragrances, says Dr. Garshick. But it doesn’t hurt to be extra cautious about using moisturizers that are 100 percent free of fragrance. It’s beneficial to use options that say “no fragrance” or “fragrance-free” on the label. Sometimes brands will use “natural fragrance” or “unscented.” However, within the “natural fragrance” umbrella live hundreds of ingredients that can be irritants or inflammatory agents that are not compatible with reactive or sensitive skin, says Dr. Shamban. If you really want to use a moisturizer with fragrance, it’s best to do a patch test first to ensure no reactions, says Dr. Garshick.
How We Chose
Whenever I speak with experts I have to know what beauty products they are actually using IRL and recommend to their patients. This list includes their suggestions, along with some that I personally tested and loved. There’s even some overlap among our picks, including the best overall, Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream.
To narrow in on my selections, I kept the above expert guidance in mind. As a quick reminder, this includes the moisturizer’s formulation, ingredient list, and lack of fragrance. I also considered pricing because I rather put my extra funds toward other new additions to my routine, like red light therapy devices. Thankfully, many of these recommendations are $14 and under. As for the sole outlier, the splurge worthy SkinMedica cream earned major snaps from Dr. Libby and myself. It’s certainly a treat, but if you’ve got the extra funds and are willing to invest into your routine then it’s definitely worth the cost.
Best Overall
Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Pros
Multipurpose- Restores the skin barrier in just 48 hours
- Safe for eczema
- Doesn’t leave behind an overly shiny finish
Cons
- The thick cream is hard to blend
Dermatologists namechecked three Avene moisturizers, but I’ve seen the most improvement while using Cicalfate for the past month. It earned snaps from Dr. Garshick because it’s fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, meaning Cicalfate doesn’t cause clog pores leading to pimples. IThanks to a blend of nourish ingredients—Avene thermal spring water, copper-zinc sulfate complex, C+-Restore—this cream supports the skin barrier and protects from external irritants.
For the first week, I’d spread a thick layer of cream across my face and let it soak in while working from home and overnight. My parched skin quickly soaked up a blend of hydrating glycerin and a copper-zinc sulfate complex that restored my compromised skin barrier. It also contains hydrating beeswax and C+ Restore, a patented post-biotic ingredient in the brand’s signature thermal water. Thanks to a blend of nourish ingredients—Avene thermal spring water, copper-zinc sulfate complex, C+-Restore—this cream supports the skin barrier and protects from external irritants.
I noticed my face was significantly less red, and flaking started to subside in two days. In the mornings after, I’d apply a dime-size dollop of product across my face and cover up any cast with my tinted Isdin Ageless Sunscreen. At night, I slather on a quarter-size amount as a thick, nourishing face mask. With twice daily use over five weeks, this restorative cream nourished my dry skin, calmed redness, and alleviated stinging and itching. While I haven’t gotten the final approval from my derm to begin incorporating tretinoin back into my routine, I plan on using this gentle moisturizer for sensitive skin to help prevent future irritation.
What’s unique about this moisturizer for sensitive skin is that it can be used several ways. I mainly apply it as a face cream and overnight mask, but also like using it as a hand cream after washing the dishes. With spring in full swing and summer on the horizon, this would also make an excellent post-sun treatment. And moms and mother-figures can use this as a diaper rash cream, while others might prefer slathering it on as a hydrating face primer for mature skin. The possibilities are seemingly endless, so get creative.
The only downside is that the cream is hard to spread. To help, I spritz on the viral Tower28 SOS Spray for a dose of skin calming hypochlorous acid. After letting the fine mist dry down about 80% of the way, I slather on the cream. I find this combination creates a nice slip for easier blending.
Read more: What SPF Is Best For Dark Skin? Dermatologists Share Sunscreens With No White Cast
| Formulation | Cream |
|---|---|
| Best ingredients | Avene thermal spring water, copper-zinc sulfate complex, C+-Restore |
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
Pros
- Non-comedogenic, making it safe for acne
- Short ingredient list
Cons
- Cumbersome packaging
Dry, easily irritated skin needs extra TLC. Dr. Ruth and Dr. Rambhia recommend slathering on this Amazon top-rated moisturizer because of its no-frills formula. Instead of common irritants like fragrance, dyes, parabens, and lanolin, Vanicream deeply hydrates your parched skin with petroleum and proplene glycol.
Dealing with eczema? Reach for this barrier-protecting face cream that houses only 11 gentle yet effective ingredients, like petrolatum and sorbitol. It’s also infused with a form of glycerin to lock in hydration. Given the nourishing nature of the cream, Dr. Rambhia considers it perfect for dry, sensitive skin, especially during the fall and winter, or after over-exfoliating or post-laser.
With a simple and nourishing ingredient list, it’s no wonder Vanicream’s signature Moisturizing Cream earned an endorsement from Dr. Rambhia.
Bonus: This fast-absorbing product can also be used on the face and body, including as a cream in between hand-washing.
| Formulation | Cream |
|---|---|
| Best ingredients | Petroleum, propylene glycol |
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
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Best Splurge
SkinMedica HA Hydra Collagen Replenish + Restore Hydrator
Pros
- Fast-absorbing light cream
- Hydrates and visibly plumps skin
Cons
- Priciest recommendation
I know spending $192 on a new face moisturizer is a splurge, but the quality of ingredients and proprietary technology ensures my skin is happy. Hyaluronic acid is like a tall glass of water on a hot summer day, and SkinMedica’s moisturizer has this coveted ingredient in spades. It features five types of hyaluronic acid that attracts moisture to my skin, providing deep hydration and plumping effects, says Dr. Libby.
HA Hydra Collagen also contains the brand’s proprietary Advanced Vitisesce Technology to help replenish my skin’s natural humectants for plenty of moisture and boost collagen. It utilizes the antioxidant-rich vitis flower stem cell extract, a rejuvenating peptide complex, and polysaccharides from French Polynesia that support your skin's ability to replenish its own hyaluronic acid.
While anyone can use this moisturizer, she really likes it for women with dry or mature skin who need intense hydration to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. FWIW, I used it during the winter on my oily, acne-prone skin, and my face soaked it up nicely. I haven’t experienced any excessive shine, but rather a soft, luminous glow that I would normally achieve with my makeup primer.
| Formulation | Lotion |
|---|---|
| Best ingredients | Five types of hyaluronic acid, glycerin, collagen |
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
For Immediate Relief
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration
$38 at Women's Health Shop
Pros
- Soothes, moisturizes, and conditions irritated skin
- It contains rich ingredients, but has a lightweight, non-greasy feel
Cons
- It takes a little work to spread the cream but it’s worth the extra effort
When your skin is extra temperamental, reach for a gentle, nourishing face cream like this popular one from First Aid Beauty. Colloidal oatmeal’s soothing, anti-inflammatory properties and deeply hydrating shea butter help restore the skin’s lipid barrier, says Dr. Libby. She recommends it for sensitive, dry, or distressed skin because it offers immediate relief from itching and irritation while improving skin texture without feeling heavy or greasy.
I was initially introduced to this face cream in 2019 because my mom heavily relied on it to hydrate and plump her mature dry skin. Since I have oily skin, it’s not my year-round go-to, but I’ll slather this on during the winter for extra hydration. Off-season, I’ll apply it to my kneecaps, feet, elbows, and hands.
The combo of dermatologist-approved ingredients—allantoin, ceramides, and squalane oil—offers my dry, itchy skin sweet relief. It is also helpful when my skin has eczema flares up, though those have become rare when I use this gentle moisturizer.
My least favorite aspect of this cream is that it takes a little effort to spread across my face, but honestly the extra work is worth it. And FWIW, this moisturizer takes an extra 30 seconds to blend, while Avene is easily double that.
| Formulation | Cream |
|---|---|
| Best ingredients | Colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, allantoin |
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
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Best For Acne-Prone Skin
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
Pros
- Up to 48 hours of hydration
- Lightweight, creamy texture
Cons
- Light pilling
Acne-prone skin like mine should use an oil-free moisturizer to hydrate without adding extra oil to our faces. Thanks to a combination of ceramides and niacinamide, Toleriane Double Repair moisturizes, calms, and balances your skin without clogging pores that lead to pimples.
It’s also made with hydrating glycerin and La Roche-Posay’s signature French thermal water to gently refresh and tone the skin. Impressively, the thermal water contains minerals and soothing, antioxidant-rich selenium that are safe for your sensitive skin. The combination of gentle yet nourishing ingredients provides up to 48 hours of hydration.
Dr. Rambhia’s oily, acne-prone patients love how it moisturizes without adding shine—especially those using pimple treatments that make their skin more reactive. Plus, the lightweight face moisturizer soothes irritation and strengthens the skin barrier, she says.
Just keep in mind that you might experience pilling when layering this lotion under your makeup and face sunscreen. To help avoid this beauty mishap work in light, thin layers as needed instead of slathering on a thick dollop.
| Formulation | Lotion |
|---|---|
| Best ingredients | Ceramide-3, niacinamide, glycerin, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water |
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
Pros
- Made with plant-based ingredients
- Helps calm redness
Cons
- Pricey
Whenever I’m going to a work event or know that I’m going to be photographed, I want to glow and have a smooth, even base. My go-to product for makeup prep is this sensitive skin-friendly Yon-Ka moisturizer. I appreciate that it doesn’t pill when layered with face makeup or other skincare products, like toner and sunscreen. Whenever I slather on this product I can skip using a face primer because it creates a smooth, even base for concealer and foundation.
It’s also epic for counteracting flushed skin. Soothing centella asiatica helps reduce redness and inflammation, ensuring my skin is more even-toned with every use. This cream also contains bisabolol, a soothing ingredient that is rich in antioxidants to fight signs of aging, like lines and wrinkles. While arnica and calendula are botanical extracts with barrier-repairing benefits that make Yon-Ka ideal for post-treatment recovery or fragile, aging skin, says Dr. Ruth.
With a normal retail price of $78, this plant-based moisturizer is a splurge. However thanks to the limited-time Amazon beauty sale, you can save 20%, bringing the price down to just $55. So hurry before the fleeting sale disappears on Sunday.
| Formulation | Cream |
|---|---|
| Best ingredients | Centella asiatica, bisabolol |
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
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Meet The Experts
- Dr. Tiffany Libby, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon, and the director of Mohs micrographic and dermatologic surgery at Brown.
- Dr. Nicole Ruth, DO, is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology.
- Dr. Pooja Rambhia, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York.
- Dr. Ava Shamban, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Ava MD in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.
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Nicole Saunders
Beauty Editor
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Women's Health and has over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like red light therapy for hair growth and LED face masks, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, such as strengthening shampoos and body washes for dry skin on our site.
Previously, she was the beauty editor at Best Products where she tested quite literally thousands of launches for her quarterly column and the Best New Beauty Awards package. She also launched the beauty and wellness coverage at NBC News and contributed to CNN, Cosmopolitan, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Harper's BAZAAR.
You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventures.
Expert consulted:Dr. Pooja Rambhia
Dermatologist
Dr. Pooja Rambhia, FAAD is a board-certified and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist practicing at UnionDerm in New York City and Greenwich, CT. She provides comprehensive cosmetic and medical dermatologic care, specializing in laser treatments, injectables, and facial and body contouring.
