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It's a tale as old as time for anyone with sensitive skin: One of your favorite brands has come out with a new moisturizer. The ingredient list? Intriguing and full of potential benefits. The packaging? Ridiculously cute and would look great alongside the products in your medicine cabinet. So, you add it to your cart. When your new moisturizer arrives around five days later, you immediately rip it open, take in its sweet fruity smell, and slather it on your face. Like clockwork, your skin starts to flush and itch; or, maybe you feel fine until the next morning when you discover you have a full-blown breakout.

For sensitive skin, finding staple products for your routine that are effective, fun to use, and non-irritating can feel like an impossible feat — especially since sensitivity manifests itself in a few different ways and can be caused by a variety of things. That’s why we consulted with leading dermatologists to find the best moisturizers for sensitive skin that will keep your complexion smooth, soft, and (most importantly) comfortable. Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer proved to be our top option thanks to its sensitive skin-friendly formula that features nine peptides to strengthen the skin barrier — but we also found 10 others that are just as effective

Ahead, find the 11 best moisturizers for sensitive skin.

Best Overall

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

While retinol is commonly touted as the holy grail of anti-aging ingredients, it can be too harsh for reactive skin and those with conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. That's where peptides, the hero ingredient of this rich Drunk Elephant moisturizer, enter the picture. Peptides are the building blocks of proteins — including collagen and keratin — which help keep skin firm and smooth. Plant-derived antioxidants (including water lily stem cell extract and soybean folic acid) round out the formula to improve overall skin texture and tone.

With a slew of gentle yet effective ingredients, this moisturizer is as caring as can be for your complexion, and it has been a staple in my sensitive skin routine for years. What I love most about it is that it can be used day or night – the creamy texture is hydrating enough to help skin repair itself overnight, yet light enough for day time usage, too. In fact, I always use this as my 'fall back' product because I can count on it to rebalance any irritation that occurs from testing other beauty products. Overall, there’s nothing I would change about the formula, but I would love this moisturizer even more if refills were available for purchase, rather than having to buy all new packaging when I inevitably use up the last drop. 

Skin Type: Sensitive, combo, and dry | Size: 1.69 oz.  | Active Ingredients: Peptides, Waterlily stem cell extract, Soybean folic acid, and Glycerin

Best Oil-Free Moisturizer

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture

More likely than not, you’ve probably seen this cream in your mother or grandmother’s medicine cabinet — since Neutrogena introduced the formula in 1983, it has been a mainstay for just about every skin type. The wildly affordable, gentle moisturizer is especially safe for reactive skin and good for anyone who prefers a lightweight lotion over a heavy cream or who needs a moisturizer suitable for acne-prone skin. With zero fragrance, oil, or alcohol in the formula, there's no need to stress over potential irritation or greasy residue. Simply put, the water-based moisturizer doesn’t have any bells or whistles, but it’s effective, layers nicely with other products, and works especially well for those with sensitive skin. Just note that if your skin leans dry, you may want to opt for a heavier moisturizer for dry skin, but otherwise this pick can’t be beat.

Skin Type: Oily and acne-prone | Size: 4 fl oz. | Active Ingredients: Glycerin

Best Daytime Moisturizer

REN Clean Skincare Day Cream

Finding an adequate daytime moisturizer for sensitive skin can feel like a daunting task — you want something that feels weightless throughout the day, but still imparts intense hydration to keep skin comfortable. That’s where REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream comes in: This moisturizer feels like a splash of cool water on stressed-out, redness-prone skin thanks to lingonberry seed oil, which is rich in omega fatty acids to support the skin barrier, and licorice and seaweed extracts, which help calm irritation. Just a few dabs of the soothing formula can keep skin hydrated and supple, while simultaneously acting as an invisible shield to ward off pollution and other external aggressors. Plus, the brand is dedicated to making the planet a better place, so you can feel good knowing that this product is vegan, cruelty-free, and made from recycled materials.

It’s important to call out that while this was created with sensitive skin in mind, the formula does contain sesame oil, which is a common allergen, so be sure to avoid it if you have a sensitivity to the ingredient. 

Skin Type: Dry and redness-prone | Size: 1.7 oz. | Active Ingredients: Lingonberry seed oil, Licorice extract, Seaweed extract, and Shea butter

Best Drugstore

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Don't want to spend a ton of money on a moisturizer? Look no further than CeraVe's tried-and-true moisturizing cream. Formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid and skin barrier-strengthening ceramides, it instantly seals in moisture, which is key for preventing irritating flare-ups. The best part? It can be used on the face and body, essentially making it a one stop shop for fixing all of your dry skin blues. This is also an ideal pick if you experience eczema, as it has the National Eczema association's seal of approval. Though the thick, velvety texture is a key selling point, if you’re not a fan of heavier moisturizers you may want to select something else. 

Skin Type: Dry and eczema-prone | Size: 19 oz. | Active Ingredients: Glycerin, Ceramides, and Hyaluronic acid

Best Reparative

Kiehl's Centella Sensitive Cica Cream

Don't underestimate this little tube: What’s inside packs a serious dose of moisture. In addition to leaving the surface of the skin soft and smooth, Kiehl's hypoallergenic and fragrance-free cream repairs the skin barrier to prevent future dryness and helps reduce visible redness and fine lines. The secret is D-panthenol (also known as vitamin b5), which is this product's star ingredient. Overtime, D-panthenol increases your skin's ability to retain moisture. Essentially, when you apply this daily, your skin barrier becomes stronger, and though the slightly tacky texture can be off putting to some, the results are worth that minor inconvenience. If you're concerned, apply it before bed and after using your favorite sensitive skin exfoliator.

Skin Type: Dry to normal | Size: 1.7 oz.  | Active Ingredients: Glycerin, Cacao seed butter, and D-panthenol

Best for Night

EltaMD Intense Moisturizer

Most heavy-duty moisturizers are thick, rich creams that never fully absorb into skin — but let us introduce you to the exception. Known as the "melting moisturizer," this EltaMD formula soaks into skin and locks in hydration for up to 12 hours, all while relieving redness and irritation. The simplistic formula is made up of just two ingredients: Petrolatum and paraffin, both of which are powerhouses at retaining moisture and warding off outside irritants. On nights when I’m feeling extra dry and flakey, this is the one thing that gets my skin back to normal by morning. Consider it a foolproof pick for sensitive skin types that also suffer from excessive dryness.

Skin Type: Dry and eczema-prone | Size: 2.8 oz. | Active Ingredients: Petrolatum

Best Fragrance-Free

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer

First Aid Beauty is dedicated to creating simplistic skincare products that work for all skin types — especially sensitive skin — and this moisturizer (which I consider the bread and butter of my routine) is no exception. On top of hydrating skin with a mix of nourishing and soothing ingredients like meadowfoam seed oil, colloidal oatmeal, avocado oil, and ceramides, this lightweight formula leaves skin feeling smooth, making it ideal for wearing under makeup. I prefer to use this on days when my skin is feeling pretty normal (read: not too dry) because I find when I’m experiencing any sort of dryness I need to layer it on to quench my skin’s thirst. 

Skin Type: All  | Size: 1.7 oz. | Active Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, Avocado oil, Shea butter, and Meadowfoam seed oil

Best for Hyperpigmentation

Obagi Medical Obagi Hydrate Facial Moisturizer

With an allergy-tested formula, Obagi Hydrate Facial Moisturizer is less likely to cause irritation compared to other creams. Plus, I was overjoyed to discover that this product is made for all skin types because Obagi is known for their intense and clinically proven anti-aging products. Powered by hydromanil — a super nourishing plant-based ingredient — this moisturizer helps skin retain hydration while simultaneously improving the appearance of hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.

Many reviews discuss the size of the product as small for the price, and that it’s difficult to get every last drop out of the bottle. With this in mind, there are more affordable sensitive skin moisturizers that come in larger sizes (CeraVe is a great example of this) but this is a good moisturizer to use as a more targeted approach to sensitive, hyperpigmented skin. 

Skin Type: Combination to oily | Size: 1.7 oz. | Active Ingredients: Glycerin, Shea butter, Allantoin, and Mango seed butter

Best Anti-Aging

Shani Darden Skin Care Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer

For oily, acne-prone skin that also leans on the sensitive side, opt for a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that won't further clog your pores or leave a greasy film on your face. Shani Darden's fragrance-free, oil-free moisturizer has a silky, serum-like texture that quickly absorbs into skin for a shine-free finish. It uses hydrolyzed collagen and red algae extract to provide anti-aging benefits, helping to restore elasticity and firmness. If you struggle with uneven skin tone, dullness, or a lack of radiance, this is a great moisturizer to try because it gives you that healthy, happy skin glow — similar to how your face looks after a fresh facial. That said, it isn’t the most hydrating moisturizer, so if you need a little extra hydration you may want to apply a face oil over top. 

Skin Type: Oily to dry, and mature  | Size: 2.5 oz. | Active Ingredients: Sodium hyaluronate, Collagen, and Red algae extract

Best Gel

belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb

Even if you’re not skincare-obsessed, you’ve probably heard of Aqua Bomb: This water-based gel moisturizer is one of the most widely talked about moisturizers within the skin care community, and it quickly becomes a staple for anyone who tries it because it’s ideal for all skin types. Made with antioxidant packed lady’s mantle (an ingredient that protects newly formed elastin within your skin barrier), malachite, and oat husk, the formula works to hydrate dry skin, fight free radicals, smooth the appearance of pores, and even skin tone. I always find myself falling back to this trusty cream because it feels like a refreshing splash of water on skin. And though it’s not fragrance-free, the scent is subtle enough to not irritate even the most sensitive complexions. 

Skin Type: All | Size: 1.68 oz.  | Active Ingredients: Lady’s mantle, Malachite, and Oat husk

Best with SPF

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV

If you’re looking for a basic SPF moisturizer, this is the only product you’ll ever need. Packed with ceramides and niacinamide, it supports your skin barrier, minimizes the look of pores, and mattifies, while providing SPF 30 sun protection. We suggest applying this in the morning (it layers well with makeup) and reapplying SPF with a powder or spray throughout the day due to how thick it can feel if layered multiple times over. 

As someone with sensitive skin, I like to keep my skincare routine minimal, and this moisturizer/SPF hybrid has been something that has really helped keep my skin in check. I love that it can be used year round, too — you’ll always catch this in both my ski bag (winter sunburns are a thing too!) and in my beach bag over the summer. 

Skin Type: Dry to Normal | Size: 2.5 oz. | Active Ingredients: Ceramides and Niacinamide

What to Keep in Mind

Skin type 

While sensitive skin is a skin type, it can teeter in between dry and oily as well. This is important to keep in mind to truly find a product that will work for your skin. If you lean dry, you’ll want to look for a formula that provides intense hydration like REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream or Kiehl's Centella Sensitive Cica Cream. On the other hand, if you tend to feel oily look for lightweight, oil-free creams like Shani Darden Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer or Neutrogena Oil-Free Ultra-Gentle Facial Moisturizer

Key ingredients

Before detailing ingredients that sensitive skin can really benefit from, it’s important to know what to avoid — particularly fragrance. “While fragrances can add to the sensorial experience of using a skin care product, they commonly can lead to skin allergies and irritation,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. On the flip side, ceramides, vitamin b5, colloidal oatmeal, and shea butter, are key ingredients for repairing and replenishing a compromised skin barrier, and are pretty tolerable for those with sensitive skin. (First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer includes a few of the aforementioned ingredients)

Your Questions, Answered

What is sensitive skin?

"Skin that reacts strongly to most stimuli (including environment, temperature and products), skin with a decreased barrier function, and allergic skin (like eczema which also has a decreased barrier function) can all be categorized as sensitive skin," says Morgan Rabach, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of LM Medical in New York City.

How can you determine if you have sensitive skin?

First things first, no skincare product should cause swelling, redness or hives, or a burning sensation. These are not normal reactions and are telling signs that you have introduced a product containing an ingredient that you are allergic to. 

“The most common allergens in skin care are preservatives, fragrances, and other additives that cause sensitive skin to break out into an allergy,” says Dr. Antony Nakhla, Mohs Surgeon and Founder of Eighth Day Skin. “People who are prone to allergic reactions include those with conditions like asthma, hay fever, eczema, and other allergic-type conditions — although you may have allergic/sensitive skin and not have any of those conditions.” 

To avoid bad reactions from skin care, it is important to patch test any products before applying it over a large area. Most doctors recommend doing this on your hand or the inside of your arm. If you have an allergic reaction, you should stop using the product immediately. If you have questions about what to do though, the best thing is to consult with your dermatologist to find the appropriate course of action. 

What skincare ingredients should you avoid if you have sensitive skin?

Caren Campbell, M.D., a San Francisco-based board-certified dermatologist, suggests avoiding moisturizers with acids and retinoids if you have sensitive skin as the actives can cause irritation with overuse. The same goes for fragrance and essential oils.

On the other hand, there are some ingredients that may help minimize reactions. “It is important to help restore the balance of good bacteria to bad bacteria on the surface of the skin because any harsh products can easily throw off this balance and lead to facial redness and sensitivity,” adds Jennifer Weiss, a New York City-based Physician Assistant at Marmur Medical. “Hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient to look for in moisturizers. It is naturally produced by the body to bind to and hold onto water. It acts as a sponge to lock in moisture and provide dewy, healthy skin. Niacinamide is another great ingredient for sensitive skin because it has anti-inflammatory properties.”

Is coconut oil or shea butter a good moisturizer for sensitive skin?

Both coconut oil and shea butter are common ingredients seen in moisturizers but if you have sensitive skin, they might not be suitable for you. “It’s best to avoid using these ingredients on the face,” says Roberta Moradfar, Celebrity Aesthetics Nurse Practitioner & Founder of EFFACÈ Aesthetics. “Coconut oil is highly comedogenic and will most likely clog your pores, while shea butter is so rich in fatty acids that it has an oily texture and can be overly greasy. Sensitive skin may respond negatively to these ingredients if congestion occurs.”

Should I only use fragrance-free moisturizers if I have sensitive skin?

It depends! You should always do a patch test when trying to introduce a new product within your skincare routine. Not everyone is sensitive to fragrance or essential oils, but most people with sensitive or sensitized skin (prone to acne, eczema, or have other allergies) have difficulty and can experience reactions.

“I would definitely recommend avoiding added fragrances to products if you have sensitive skin,” says Moradfar. “There are products on the market that contain botanical and marine extracts that are known to help with sensitive skin and may have a natural, herbal/botanical smell. If one can tolerate those smells, it may be beneficial for them to use such ingredients as long as it’s not causing any issues.”

Why Shop with Us

Olivia Cefalu is a Brooklyn-based freelance beauty editor and writer. She covers everything beauty and wellness related, and has a real passion for SPF, a good facial, and nail art. With bylines in Shape, Well & Good, Fatherly, Ipsy, Real Simple and Very Good Light, her research is thorough and inspired by a passion for teaching others about beauty practices and products. 

She has struggled with eczema throughout her life and navigated very difficult food and skincare product allergies. Her best advice to anyone struggling with sensitive skin is to avoid known allergies, get a patch test from your dermatologist if needed, read product descriptions thoroughly, and when in doubt go back to the basics! There is no shame in ‘basic’ skincare products that are proven to work and hydrate compromised skin and skin barriers. For this story she spoke with board-certified dermatologists Dr. Morgan Rabach, Dr. Joshua Zeichner, Dr. Caren Campbell, and Dr. Antony Nakhla. She also spoke with Jennifer Weiss, a New York City-based Physician Assistant at Marmur Medical, and Roberta Moradfar, Celebrity Aesthetics Nurse Practitioner & Founder of EFFACÈ Aesthetics

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