Skincare routine for sensitive skin

"Sensitive skin" is not a medical diagnosis. It is a way to describe skin that reacts easily: it stings, burns, itches or turns red when you use some products or when the weather changes. The good news is that a short, gentle routine often makes a big difference.

A gentle routine

Morning

1. Rinse or cleanse gently. Lukewarm water, or a mild, fragrance-free cleanser.
2. Moisturize. A simple, fragrance-free moisturizer.
3. Protect. A broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher. Many people with sensitive skin find mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) more comfortable.

Evening

1. Cleanse. The same mild cleanser. Use your fingertips, not a brush or a rough cloth.
2. Moisturize. A slightly richer cream if your skin feels tight.

That is enough for many weeks. Add a treatment product only when your skin feels calm.

Choose products with care

1. Fewer ingredients means fewer possible triggers.
2. Fragrance-free is a good default. "Unscented" can still contain a masking fragrance.
3. Be careful with alcohol-heavy toners, strong exfoliants, scrubs and products that tingle on purpose.
4. Introduce strong actives, such as retinoids and acids, slowly, and only one at a time.

Patch test every new product

Before you use a new product on your face, apply a small amount to a small area, such as behind the ear or the inside of your elbow, twice a day for several days. If you see redness, itching, burning or swelling, do not use it on your face. Even after a good test, start on the face slowly.

Everyday habits

1. Wash with lukewarm, not hot, water, and pat dry.
2. Change one thing at a time, so you can tell what helps and what does not.
3. Wind, cold, heat and sun can all trigger reactions. Protect your skin outdoors.
4. Keep a short note of products that caused a reaction, and check their ingredient lists for what they have in common.

When to see a dermatologist

Some redness and stinging comes from conditions such as rosacea, eczema or contact allergy, which a dermatologist can diagnose and treat. See one if the redness stays, if you see bumps, swelling or flaking that does not settle, or if even gentle products sting.

How Glowinout helps

When your answers and your scan point to sensitive skin, the Glowinout app keeps your routine short and gentle, and each product shows how to start using it. See how it works.

Glowinout gives cosmetic guidance, not medical advice. If you have a skin condition, persistent irritation or anything that worries you, talk to a dermatologist.