Best Gentle, Fragrance Free Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin, then you may have learned the hard way that you can’t use just any old random products on your face. Compromised skin requires using one of the best moisturizers for sensitive skin to soothe and help prevent further information while protecting the skin’s natural barrier. 

The best face moisturizer for sensitive skin is made with minimal yet powerful ingredients to help relieve itchy, red, rough, bumpy, and scaly skin. Face feeling extra parched? Then you need the best face moisturizer for dry sensitive skin — a formulation that meets the best of both worlds.

Sure, we can tell you about the best face moisturizer for sensitive skin, dermatologist-recommended, but we can go further than that. Here at Deep Science, we’ve reviewed hundreds of products with a scientific lens to ensure you’re creating a skincare routine that’s safe and effective — even if it requires a lotion for sensitive skin. 

Ahead, 12 of the best moisturizers for sensitive skin to help calm, restore, and protect. 

Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin: The List

BEST OVERALL

BEST: Carrot & Stick The Repair Cream, $60

THE FULL LIST

Formulyst Super Hyaluronic Water Moisturizer, $29

Avene Skin Recovery Cream, $35

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration, $38

Clinique Moisture Surge 100-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, $56

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Ultra-Light Moisturizer, $28

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, $62

Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E Antioxidant Protect + Repair Moisturizer

Dermalogica Barrier Repair Moisturizer, $49

The Complexities of Sensitive Skin

Research suggests that approximately 60% to 70% of women and 50% to 60% of men report having sensitive skin. While there are variances in how these individuals perceive skin sensitivity, most report itching, burning, stinging, tightness, and dryness. 

One theory for why women are more prone to skin sensitivity is differences in skin thickness. Women may also be more at risk for dehydration and dry skin due to hormonal changes. These theories still require further research.

While the role of dermatologists is to help their patients discover the root of their sensitive skin without exacerbating the problem — or creating a new one — “sensitive skin” is somewhat of a nebulous term. However, it’s typically associated with contact dermatitis, allergies, dry skin, acne, or a skin condition like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea. Sensitive skin is also linked to hormonal fluctuations, certain medications, or even heredity. 

Unfortunately, sensitive skin can be tricky to treat. “The biggest issue we have in treating sensitive patients is intolerance to the products themselves, explains Dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Sensitive skin issues have risen dramatically in the last decade, driving the need for practical, scientifically formulated, and tested products that are also affordable. 

Sensitive Skin Triggers

• Stress 
• Pollution
• Hormonal Fluctuations
• Cosmetic/Medical Procedure
• Chemical and/or Fragrances and Dyes
• Fragrance
• Smoking
• Diet
• Cosmetics and Soap

What to Look for in a Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin

When shopping for the best moisturizer for sensitive skin, look for a formula that’s both hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and, if possible, contains ten or fewer ingredients to lessen the risk of reacting.

Avoid ingredients like phthalates, fragrances, and alcohol, which may cause irritation or even a bad skin reaction. It’s necessary to note how important it is for moisturizers for sensitive skin to be free of any fragrances, which often contain harsh ingredients that can act as irritants. What’s more, beauty companies are allowed to keep their fragrance ingredients a secret thanks to an industry loophole. Some of the best ingredients for a sensitive skin lotion or cream include: 

• Hyaluronic Acid: Moisturizing
• Allantoin: Soothing
• Colloidal Oatmeal: Calming and softening
• Niacinamide: Redness-reducing
• Squalane: Hydrating and conditioning
• Laminaria Saccharina: Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial
• Olea Europaea: Skin-smoothing, hydrating, and nourishing
• Vitamin E: Soothing, replenishing, hydrating
• Hydrolyzed Elastin: Moisture-binding, protecting
• Squalane: Anti-inflammatory 

When a Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin Isn’t Enough

Whether you feel an over-the-counter moisturizer for sensitive skin isn’t helping (or is making your condition worse), don’t waste any more time trying to self-diagnose a sensitive skin condition; make an appointment with a dermatologist or your primary care provider. They’ll likely provide you with a prescription cream or help steer you in the right direction of OTC formulas that are best for you. 

Some questions you should be prepared for include: 

• Where on your face and/or body are you experiencing skin sensitivity? 
• How long have you noticed you’ve had sensitive skin? 
• Do any of your close relatives have sensitive skin or a notable skin condition?
• What makes your sensitive skin better — if anything? 
• Is your skin extra-sensitive to the sun? 
• Is your skin prone to rashes and bumps?
• Do you have broken capillaries on your nose and cheeks?
• What makes it worse? 
• Do you have sensitive skin to touch?
• Is your skin affected by the climate — indoors and outdoors?
• What skincare, cosmetics, fragrance, and laundry detergents do you use?

Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin

BEST: Carrot & Stick The Repair Cream, $60
A proprietary probiotic formulation keep the microbiome operating at peak performance and skin looking hydrated and visible issues diminished. Formulated to nurture and protect skin’s microbiome. The microbiome is the ecosystem of microbes that live on the skin surface. Happy microbes equal a healthy microbiome and a healthy microbiome equals healthier-looking, more radiant skin.

Formulyst Super Hyaluronic Water Moisturizer, $29
Formulyst’s Super Hyaluronic Water Moisturizer only has ten ingredients and isn’t full of harsh chemicals that irritate sensitive skin. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, squalane, apricot kernel oil, and jojoba seed oil. Together, these are potent hydrators that will keep skin hydrated, supple, soft, and protected without irritation. The watery texture of this moisturizer is excellent for sensitive skin because it’s not too rich or heavy.

Avene Skin Recovery Cream, $35
This cream is suitable for all skin types, but it was still formulated explicitly with minimal ingredients to provide deep hydration while preventing and soothing irritation. Key elements include plant squalene, parcerine, glycerin, and Avene thermal spring water. Plant squalane is a natural emollient that helps skin retain moisture. 

Parcerine is a patented ingredient that calms irritation and redness. It also helps restore any damage to the hydrolipidic barrier, the barrier that protects skin from pollutants and irritants. Glycerin also acts as an emollient, providing hydration and softening skin. Avene thermal spring water is a calming ingredient that also soothes and softens.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration, $38
This super gentle cream can even be used on babies and children. It’s specially formulated to treat dehydrated and distressed skin and even relieve those suffering from eczema. Calming ingredients in this formula include colloidal oatmeal, which helps relieve itching and minor irritation; shea butter, which softens and soothes; and allantoin, which is another calming and soothing ingredient. 

This cream also contains an antioxidant booster featuring licorice root, feverfew, and white tea extracts to protect from free radicals, unstable atoms that damage skin cells and accelerate aging.

Clinique Moisture Surge 100-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, $56
Featuring a refreshing gel-cream texture, Clinique’s Moisture Surge Hydrator absorbs quickly and provides long-lasting hydration. The company’s testing also claims that this moisturizer continues to provide hydration even after you wash your face. 

Hyaluronic acid helps moisturize and plump up wrinkles, while activated aloe water acts as a soothing agent to calm irritated, angry skin. This formula does not contain any potentially irritating fragrances either — fragrances are often the culprits responsible for much of the irritation people suffer from sensitive skin.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Ultra-Light Moisturizer, $28
Perfect for sensitive skin, this ultra-lightweight moisturizer glides on easily and absorbs quickly for ultimate hydration. It features vitamins C and E, a green tea antioxidant complex, meadowfoam seed oil, and chia seed oil. 

Vitamin C is a great skincare ingredient that helps fade away dark spots while also stimulating collagen production. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that can help scavenge free radicals. The green tea complex also provides free radical scavenging. Meanwhile, the meadowfoam seed oil and chia oil soften and condition skin to keep it looking luminous and feeling smooth.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, $62
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is a popular option that is safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Like other moisturizers for sensitive skin on this list, it boasts a very lightweight formula that doesn’t leave behind a greasy or oily feel, yet it provides 24 hours of moisture. 

An ingredient called glacial glycoprotein, derived from sea glaciers, stands out due to its ability to thrive in extreme, harsh environments. As a beauty ingredient, it hydrates and protects while also preventing moisture loss. Squalane oil, derived from olives, also hydrates and helps protect against moisture loss.

Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E Antioxidant Protect + Repair Moisturizer
Sunday Riley’s C.E.O. moisturizer combines the powerful duo of vitamins C and E to repair and protect sensitive skin that may also be prone to damage — vitamin C helps with collagen synthesis, and vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant. Together, they work even more efficiently to help strengthen skin and help undo the free radical damage that weakens it. This formula also features tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a highly stable and potent form of vitamin C.

Dermalogica Barrier Repair Moisturizer, $49
This unique waterless formula calms skin that has become sensitized due to skin barrier damage. 

This formula features the brand’s UltraCalming Complex featuring oat and plant botanicals to protect against environmental aggressors and minimize discomfort from itching and burning sensations. Meanwhile, oil of evening primrose and borage seed oil help protect from irritants. Vitamins C and E work together to combat the free radicals that can lead to barrier damage in the first place.

Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: The Final Word

The best face moisturizer for sensitive skin is made with minimal yet powerful ingredients to help relieve an itchy, red, rough, bumpy, and scaly complexion. We recommend Carrot & Stick The Repair Cream. 

When shopping for the best moisturizer for sensitive skin, look for a formula that’s both hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and, if possible, contains ten or fewer ingredients to lessen the risk of reacting.

Avoid ingredients like phthalates, fragrances, and alcohol, which may cause irritation or even a bad skin reaction. It’s necessary to note how important it is for moisturizers for sensitive skin to be free of any fragrances, which often contain harsh ingredients that can act as irritants.

What’s more, beauty companies are allowed to keep their fragrance ingredients a secret thanks to an industry loophole. Some of the best ingredients for a sensitive skin lotion or cream include hyaluronic acid, colloidal oatmeal, vitamin E, niacinamide, and squalane.

Sources:
“The Prevalence of Sensitive Skin,” Frontiers of Medicine 2019.
“Sensitive Skin: Review of an Ascending Concept,” SciElo
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, “Topical Niacinamide Reduces Yellowing, Wrinkling, Red Blotchiness, and Hyperpigmented Spots in Aging Facial Skin”; International Journal of Dermatology.
“Ceramide 1 and Ceramide 3 Act Synergistically on Skin Hydration and the Transepidermal Water Loss of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate-Irritated Skin”; Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.