There are such a dizzying variety of skin care products on the market that it can be very hard to find the best moisturizer for sensitive skin. Worse, once we find a product that works, they discontinue it or change the ingredients. It can be truly frustrating, especially for those who have very sensitive skin and severe dry patches that need moisturizer to prevent them from cracking and peeling. Here are four of the best moisturizers for sensitive skin made by manufacturers that are trusted for their quality formulas and time-tested effectiveness.
Choosing the Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin
L’Oreal Sensitive Skin Day Lotion SPF 25
Pros: Doesn’t clog pores
Cons: It’s a bit thick on the face and takes a while to rub in. That’s from the SPF.
Why it’s great for sensitive skin: L’Oreal’s oil-free formula isn’t just the best moisturizer for sensitive skin, it’s the best for combination skin too. If you suffer from both acne, dry skin and sensitive red areas, this lotion will save your day. Since it’s non-comedogenic, it won’t cause new acne breakouts. However, it’s not so light that it will leave your skin dry just a few hours later.
Infused with essential Vitamin E and hydration boosters, L’Oreal Sensitive Skin Day Lotion SPF 25 helps to significantly reduce redness after about three to four weeks of regular use. Your skin will finally look the way it’s supposed to – bright, clear and flake free. Best of all, this moisturizer has SPF 25 in it so it protects your skin from sun damage and age spots as well.
It’s a very inexpensive lotion, available for about $6 for around four ounces.
VMV Hypoallergenics Creammmy-Rich Intensive Moisture Milk for Dry Skin
Pros: Perfect for combination skin because it doesn’t overwhelm the oily spots.
Cons: It’s not for very dry skin, because it’s a gentler moisturizer.
Why it’s great for sensitive skin: This lotion doesn’t have any odors or fragrances that can cause allergic reactions. It’s very light, smooths on evenly, absorbs well and doesn’t cause the greasy sheen that some heavier lotions can cause. Even better, the organic virgin coconut oil in the lotion is actually grown and cold pressed on the VMV’s very own farms, so they know exactly what is going into their formula.
VMV Hypoallergenics Creammmy-Rich Intensive Moisture Milk for Dry Skin also contains glycerin and monolaurin. The latter is a gentle antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, to help combat blackheads and skin irritation. Better, if skin is very dry, sometimes it gets cracks where bad bacteria can enter. This formula helps to prevent them from setting up shop in these spots till they heal. This makes Creammmy the best moisturizer for sensitive skin that is prone to cracks and mild bacterial or fungal infections.
It costs around $27 on average, but is well worth the price for those with red, dry, cracked skin.
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Dry, Sensitive Skin
Pros: One of the most trusted brands on the market.
Cons: The moisturizer formula has changed slightly over the years, but most don’t notice the changes.
Why it’s great for sensitive skin: Cetaphil is one of the most trusted brands for those who find that most other products break out their skin. Cetaphil’s moisturizer is formulated specifically to help bind water to dry skin. This prevents it from losing moisture to dry, cold air. Since it has no lanolins, fragrances and parabens, it’s safe for sensitive people to use as often as they need. You shouldn’t worry about it causing red patches or breakouts. It’s also non-greasy. It can be applied under makeup as well; it won’t cause the oil-slick effect that makes your makeup “run”.
At night, once it’s time to wash off makeup, Cetaphil makes an amazing gentle skin cleanser that has been trusted by users for decades and works perfectly in conjunction with the moisturizer to make skin very smooth and clean. In fact, the pair are still the best moisturizer for sensitive skin and cleanser combination on the market for decades.
Both products are fairly inexpensive, with a 20 ounce jar of the moisturizer costing only $15. The jar should last for a month or two, even during a cold, dry winter.
Eucerin Original Healing Cream
Pros: Recommended and prescribed by physicians.
Cons: It is very heavy. You’ll need one of the lighter skin products for your face unless it’s very, very dry.
Why it’s great for sensitive skin: Like Cetaphil, Eucerin has been trusted by doctors for decades as the best moisturizer for sensitive skin to heal dry, cracked or even ashy areas without irritation. It’s so trusted, in fact, that doctors often prescribe this cream to nursing home patients who suffer from cracked heels, ankles and elbows. While this very thick and creamy moisturizer is too heavy for use on any but the driest face, it’s perfect for extremely dry body skin.
This time-trusted stand by is formulated without fragrances, dyes or other ingredients that irritate sensitive skin. Even though it isn’t directly marketed as a sensitive skin product, it’s often recommended by dermatologists for this very use. Furthermore, many doctors recommend this brands for treating eczema and psoriasis. These conditions are very hard to treat with other lotions because they cause stinging and burning on these tender spots. In fact, most find that it’s quite soothing; it tends to significantly calm the pain of these skin conditions.
At around $12 for a 16 ounce jar, it’s still very affordable as well.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this list makes it a bit easier to find the best moisturizer for sensitive skin, no matter how dry, oily or acne prone your skin. Remember to look for ingredients that are as free of fragrances and irritating chemicals as possible while shopping for all of your skin products, including sun screens and makeups. After all, the best moisturizer for sensitive skin in the world won’t do any good if we add irritants through other avenues instead. Also, for particularly dry days, a fresh, organic coconut oil mask can help to soften skin and add essential nutrients as well.
