Skip to content
Free shipping within Australia for all orders over $99 AUD
Free shipping within Australia for all orders over $99 AUD

How To Care For Sensitive Skin - Step By Step Guide

Calm redness, strengthen your barrier, and reduce reactivity with gentle, effective formulas.

Shop Sensitive-Skin Solutions View All Skincare

In This Guide

Understanding Sensitive Skin: Why It Reacts

Sensitive skin can sting, flush or feel tight when your moisture barrier is compromised or when you encounter irritants. A gentle, minimalist routine helps the barrier recover so skin stays calm and comfortable.

  • Compromised Skin Barrier

    Over-cleansing, hot water and harsh actives can weaken your barrier, leading to tightness, flaking and redness.

  • Fragrance & Irritants

    Synthetic fragrance, certain essential oils and drying alcohols can trigger sensitivity for many people.

  • Over-Exfoliation

    Too many acids or scrubs too often = micro-irritation. Gentler acids used sparingly (or none at all) are usually best.

  • Environment & Stress

    Sun, wind, air-conditioning, temperature changes and stress can all increase reactivity. Daily SPF and consistent hydration are key.

Hero Ingredients For Calm, Resilient Skin

Look for barrier-supportive actives that hydrate, soothe and reduce the look of redness.

  • Ceramides

    Replenish the skin’s natural lipids for a stronger, more comfortable barrier.

  • Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

    Helps reduce visible redness and supports barrier function at gentle percentages.

  • Panthenol & Beta-Glucan

    Cushion skin with lasting hydration and help soothe signs of irritation.

  • Centella (Cica) & Bisabolol

    Comforts sensitive, reactive skin and visibly calms.

  • Squalane & Omegas

    Lightweight lipids to soften, smooth and reduce tightness without clogging.

The Clean Beauty Difference

We focus on effective formulas without common irritants to help you maintain a healthy barrier.

What We Avoid

  • Sulphates (SLS/SLES) that can strip
  • Synthetic fragrance and harsh drying alcohols
  • Rough physical scrubs and high-percentage acids used too often

What We Include

  • Minimal, pH-balanced formulas with soothing actives
  • Ceramides, niacinamide, panthenol and gentle botanicals
  • Mineral SPF to prevent flare-ups from UV exposure

Lifestyle Tips That Boost Results

Small habits make a big difference for sensitive skin.

  • Patch Test New Products

    Apply behind the ear or along the jawline for 24–48 hours before full use.

  • Lukewarm Water Only

    Hot showers can worsen dryness and redness.

  • Keep It Simple

    Introduce one new product at a time and give it 2–3 weeks before adding another.

  • Soft Touch

    Pat dry with a clean towel, avoid rubbing, and choose breathable fabrics for pillowcases.

Your Simple Step Ritual For Acne

  1. Cleanse — Keep It Gentle

    A ceramide-rich gel cleanser removes daily impurities without stripping, helping your barrier feel soft and balanced after rinsing. The lightweight gel texture glides over skin smoothly, dissolving dirt, oil, and pollution while respecting your natural moisture. Ceramides reinforce barrier health with each use, keeping skin strong and resilient. Unlike harsher foaming cleansers, this formula leaves no tightness or squeaky feeling behind. Over time, this gentle start reduces sensitivity triggers and keeps your skin feeling refreshed and soothed. Beginning your ritual this way ensures that all the steps that follow can penetrate more effectively, building comfort into your routine day after day.

  2. Replenish With Ceramide Mist

    A ceramide toning mist cushions skin with light hydration and prepares it for serums and moisturiser. Each spritz delivers barrier-supporting ceramides and minerals that calm and rebalance the complexion instantly. The fine mist absorbs quickly without heaviness, leaving a veil of hydration that comforts stressed skin. This step also helps create the perfect base, allowing treatments to spread more evenly and penetrate effectively. Used regularly, it prevents that tight, uncomfortable feeling after cleansing. It also doubles as a midday refresher, helping to cool down flushed skin or provide a calming boost in dry climates. Over time, it builds resilience so your skin feels supple, calm, and consistently comfortable.

  3. Treat — Calm & Strengthen

    Cica + ceramides visibly reduce redness while supporting a resilient barrier. This serum works deeply to soothe sensitivity, helping to quiet flushing and irritation caused by stress, environment, or dryness. Cica (Centella Asiatica) is a proven botanical that encourages skin recovery, while ceramides lock in comfort and strengthen your protective layer. With consistent use, flare-ups become less frequent, and overall tone looks more even. The lightweight texture layers seamlessly under moisturisers without stickiness. This is the hero step for fragile or compromised skin, helping you rebuild strength from within. Over time, it transforms reactive skin into a calmer, more balanced, and healthier-looking complexion.

  4. Moisturise — Lock In Comfort

    A rich barrier cream seals hydration and helps prevent moisture loss, leaving skin cushioned and calm. The dense yet creamy texture wraps the skin in comfort, making it especially soothing after active treatments or exposure. Formulated with nourishing oils and ceramides, it reinforces your barrier, reducing the chance of flare-ups. Regular use helps skin appear smoother, more supple, and less reactive to environmental stressors. This cream also locks in the benefits of your serums, ensuring lasting results. By morning, skin feels replenished and resilient, ready to face daily challenges with greater ease. Over time, it becomes your daily shield against discomfort, dryness, and sensitivity.

  5. Optional: Soothe With Facial Oil

    A calming facial oil adds extra comfort and glow without heaviness, perfect for nights when skin needs a little more. Enriched with botanical oils, it replenishes lost lipids and enhances barrier function. The silky texture melts into skin, providing instant relief for dryness and irritation. It helps lock in moisture overnight, ensuring you wake to soft, nourished skin. Used regularly, it balances the complexion and adds a healthy-looking radiance. It also works well as a protective layer in colder seasons or dry indoor air. This optional boost can elevate your routine, making skin feel deeply comforted and visibly calmer.

  6. Protect (AM) — Mineral SPF

    Daily mineral sunscreen helps prevent flare-ups and protects your progress by shielding from UV-induced redness. This physical formula uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to deflect UVA and UVB rays gently yet effectively. Unlike chemical sunscreens, it sits on the skin’s surface, reducing the risk of irritation for sensitive complexions. Its lightweight, non-comedogenic texture makes it suitable for everyday use without clogging pores. Antioxidants included in the formula add an extra layer of environmental defence. With consistent use, it not only prevents worsening of redness but also supports long-term skin comfort and balance. This final step locks in all your hard work, keeping skin steady, resilient, and beautifully calm.

Further Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between sensitive and sensitised skin?

“Sensitive” skin is your baseline tendency to react; “sensitised” skin is a temporary state often caused by over-exfoliation, climate or harsh products. The routine above helps both by reinforcing your barrier.

Can I exfoliate if I’m sensitive?

Yes — but go slow. If tolerated, choose very gentle acids (e.g., mandelic or lactic) no more than 1–2 nights per week, and avoid on weeks when skin feels irritated. Never combine with retinoids on the same night.

Are retinoids off the table?

Not necessarily. Introduce gradually (1–2 nights per week), buffer with moisturiser, and stop during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you can’t tolerate retinoids, bakuchiol is a gentler alternative for improving texture and tone.

Should I avoid all fragrance?

Many sensitive skins prefer fragrance-free. If you do use fragrance or essential oils, keep it minimal and discontinue if you notice stinging, redness or itching.

What’s the best way to patch test?

Apply a small amount behind the ear or along the jawline once daily for 3 days. If there’s no reaction, start using as directed. Introduce only one new product at a time.

What order should I apply products?

AM: cleanse → mist → serum → moisturiser → SPF. PM: cleanse → mist → serum (if using) → moisturiser → facial oil (optional). Keep pressure light and avoid rubbing.

About The Author

Erin Norden

Erin Norden

Certified Dermatologist & Clean Beauty Expert

Erin is a professional Makeup Artist with over 15 years’ experience and the founder of Clean Beauty Market, Australia’s leading destination for luxury clean beauty. Since 2017, she has curated and tested hundreds of high-performing, cruelty-free brands, setting the standard for clean beauty nationwide. Featured in publications like Marie Claire, Elle, and Cosmopolitan, and on Channel 7’s Kochie’s Business Builders, Erin is widely recognised as a trusted voice and advocate in the clean beauty space.

  • 15+ years as a professional Makeup Artist (establishes deep, hands-on industry knowledge).
  • Founder of Clean Beauty Market (est. 2017), Australia’s leading clean beauty retailer.
  • Transitioned her entire professional and personal beauty kit to clean, sustainable alternatives, proving she lives what she teaches.