The Best Day Creams for Sensitive Skin

Finding the right skincare when you have sensitive skin is a whole journey. What will my skin react to? Will it get red again or feel irritated? Those are all questions you might be coping with every time you buy a new skincare product. While each skin is unique and might not react to the same ingredient, there are some major additives (such as fragrance) which you should always omit when suffering from sensitive skin. To make your skincare journey a bit easier we’ve put together the best moisturizers for sensitive skin types. Read on to find some of our recommendations on day creams for sensitive skin and tips on how to best take care of your skin type.

The Best Day Creams for Sensitive Skin

1. Purito SEOUL Oat-in Calming Gel Cream The Purito SEOUL gel cream is infused to the brim with oats. An ingredient you might be used to eating for breakfast actually has amazing skin calming benefits. Oat seed water in this cream instantly soothes the skin and balances the moisture levels without any irritation.

2. Mixsoon Bifida Cream Bifida is the main ingredient in this face cream from Mixsoon. It's a probiotic ingredient that supports the skin's natural ability to heal and strengthens it, making it less prone to external stress. If you suffer from sensitive skin because of a compromised skin barrier, than this is just the cream you need.

3. Isntree Mugwort Calming Cream Isntree's cream is infused with one of the most popular Korean ingredients for skin calming effects, mugwort. Mugwort offers a great solution for skin redness and nourishes the sensitive skin from the inside out. Ingredients such as panthenol, beta-glucan, and cocoa extract offer skin strengthening and moisturizing benefits.

4. Kaine Green Calm Aqua Cream This lightweight cream from Kaine will melt right into your skin while soothing any irritation, reducing redness and offering strengthening benefits. Dryness, sensitivity and inflammation are tackled with the formula in this little pot which is infused with Green tea, Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid and other amazing ingredients.

5. Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream Just like the name indicates, this cream is all about barrier repair. A strong barrier will improve skin sensitivity and improves dry skin while replenishing skin moisture without causing any type of irritation.

What ingredients to avoid with sensitive skin

Sensitive skin can be unpredictable and react to different environmental stressors and skin care products or ingredients. The sensitivity often manifests as redness, itching or burning, making it essential to choose gentle and non-irritating skincare formulas. When choosing a day cream for sensitive skin, choose skincare products that are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and do not contain harsh chemicals to minimize the risk of irritation.

People with sensitive skin should avoid certain ingredients that can aggravate irritation or cause allergic reactions. Common culprits include perfumes also known as synthetic fragrances, drying alcohols, or harsh preservatives such as parabens and sulfates. These ingredients can remove the skin's natural oils, disrupt the skin barrier and lead to increased sensitivity and inflammation.

What to look for in a skincare routine for sensitive skin

Sensitive skin types need to prioritize finding balance with the essential steps in their skincare routine. Cleansing, hydration, and sun protection are important core steps in your routine that cannot be missing if you have a skin type that is often oversensitized, suffering from redness or irritation. Here are some tips to help you incorporate these important steps for your sensitive skin:

1. Gentle cleansing: Choose a mild cleanser that effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Look for soothing ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, or ceramides to calm and hydrate the skin. If you're a fan of double cleansing but notice that oils are too heavy, then switching to a cleansing or micellar water might be the best choice for your skin.

2. Hydration: Each skin type can suffer from sensitive skin, whether you simply can't handle certain ingredients or have a compromised skin barrier, it's super important to balance hydration levels and moisturize the skin no matter whether you have an oily sensitive or dry sensitive skin type. Opt for a non-comedogenic moisturizer without synthetic fragrances or additives such as essential oils, drying alcohols, and sulfates. Based on your skin type you might prefer a lightweight or a more rich cream. Ingredients scubas panthenol, ceramides, Squalane and green tea can help keep your skin calm while replenishing moisture.

3. Sun protection: Not wearing sunscreen with a sensitive skin type can only do more harm than good. By exposing your skin to harmful UV rays and further damaging it, your skin will become even more sensitive. Shield your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. If you have an extremely sensitive skin type you might want to opt for a mineral-based sunscreen with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide to protect the skin since these are less likely to cause irritation. Some great mineral sunscreen are the ASIS-TOBE Pure Mineral Sun Cream or the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Light SPF30. Do note however that mineral based sunscreens might leave somewhat of a whitecast on the skin. There are however also some great K-Beauty chemical sunscreens in our assortment which are suitable for sensitive skin types such as the Torriden Dive-In Watery Moisture Sun Cream.

Caring for sensitive skin can be a challenge in and of itself and requires a gentle touch as well as a thoughtful selection of skincare products. We want to make this challenging journey easier for you, and help you find the best Korean moisturizers for your sensitive skin so that it can thrive and be the healthiest and glowiest self. Putting together a full routine? Also check out our eye creams for sensitive skin and the best night creams for sensitive skin. Or check our full assortment of mild and soothing skincare that will care for sensitive skin.