This post is all about my skincare routine for sensitive skin. This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you use my links to purchase certain items, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. I’ve also chosen to keep this site ad-free to keep it clean and enjoyable to read, so if you find my content helpful, using my links is one of the best ways to support me. Thank you so much
As a nurse, former facialist, and someone who has lived with sensitive, eczema-prone skin (that can get clogged) my whole life, I’ve spent years finding the perfect skincare routine for sensitive skin that actually calms it instead of triggering it.
Sensitive skin in your 40s is a different beast than sensitive skin in your 20s. You’re still avoiding fragrance and harsh actives to protect the skin barrier, but now you’re also trying to work in retinoids, peptides, and hydration without tipping your skin into a flare. This routine is proof you can do both.
This is a love letter to all of the girls I have worked with for the past four years. Before I say goodbye, I knew i had better spill the full tea on my skincare routine, and you’ll see why I was hesitant to overwhelm you. You all know I am beyond particular, especially with my skin 🙂 Without Further Ado, Here it is, my complete, fragrance-free AM and PM routine. Love you, guys!
I’ll say this up front because people always ask: everything in this routine is achieved with products alone. I have never had Botox, filler, or any injectables or in-office facial treatments. This is it.
My Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin: The Basics
My whole approach to a skincare routine for sensitive skin comes down to a few rules I never break, like never:
- Everything is fragrance-free
- I introduce new products one at a time
- I patch test before anything touches my face
- My skin barrier always comes first
Also, the nurse in me has to assess my skin daily 🙂 Therefore, I adjust my skincare routine slightly based on my skin on any particular day and/or where I am in my cycle, more on that below.
Tip: Even “sensitive skin safe” products can trigger a reaction if you introduce them too fast. I always add one new product at a time and give it a week or two before adding another.
Cleansers
Cleansing is where a lot of sensitive skin routines go wrong, because cleansing can be harsh. So I keep mine gentle and specific to the time of day and what my skin is doing that day/week.
AM Cleanser: Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Gel Baume
This is my go-to morning cleanser because it is very gentle and doesn’t leave my skin feeling stripped or tight. It’s designed for sensitive, dry, or eczema-prone skin, and I like that it cleanses without disrupting my skin barrier. This is a good cleanser to have on hand because it is a “rescue cleanser” in my book. If you overdo it with products, have an eczema flare-up, or just have dry winter skin, this is the cleanser you reach for. This product can be used by the entire family, even infants, head-to-toe. It is also available in a 1-liter size.
- PM (double cleanse): First Aid Beauty Ultra Gentle Cream to Foam Cleanser— colloidal oatmeal and glycerin soothe and hydrate without stripping the skin
- PM second cleanse when oily or the week before my period (a few times a week is plenty): Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser — salicylic, mandelic, and gluconolactone acids gently exfoliate while niacinamide and panthenol keep the barrier calm.
Tip: I only double cleanse at night, and I only bring in the exfoliating cleanser when my skin actually needs it, hormonal breakouts, extra oil, that kind of thing. Sensitive skin does not need an exfoliating cleanser daily.
Toners
I apply these to my face, neck, and chest, in the order listed. You don’t need to wait between layers, they can go on back to back.
- AM & PM: Anua Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner — houttuynia cordata (heartleaf) and a 7-type hyaluronic acid blend calm redness and lock in hydration.
- PM: I’m From Rice Toner — rice extract and niacinamide brighten and strengthen the barrier, while adenosine boosts elasticity.
- PM in winter or when my skin is extra dry: Celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner — five types of ceramides plus panthenol reinforce the barrier and calm dryness.
Serums/Treatments
This is where the anti-aging work happens, and where sensitive skin needs the most caution. I apply these to my face, neck, and chest.
- AM face, PM neck and chest: The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% — acetyl hexapeptide-8 (argireline) relaxes the look of expression lines, working almost like a topical Botox alternative.
- AM face, PM neck and chest: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid — a peptide complex plus hyaluronic acid firms and plumps while softening crow’s feet.
- PM only, face: Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10% + 0.1% Retinal Serum (retinal converts to retinoic acid in one step, making it more potent and bioavailable than retinol, plus allantoin and panthenol to keep it gentle). If it is unavailable on Amazon, you can purchase this from their website here.
Tip: Retinal is more potent than retinol, so if you have sensitive skin, start slow, a couple OF nights a week, and always follow with a rich moisturizer. Retinoids of any kind belong in your PM routine only.
Moisturizers
I split my moisturizer between face and body, and I only bring retinol into my body routine at night.
Face:
- AM: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Hyaluronic Acid (amino acids, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid mimic the skin’s own natural moisturizing factors): Approved by the American Eczema Association. This does great under makeup and is perfect for all skin types in my book. If you’re really oily and prefer a very light gel moisturizer, you may like the one below.
- PM: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan — beta glucan soothes and repairs while reinforcing the barrier.
Body (I shower at night, then):
- Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume — shea butter, glycerin, and niacinamide lock in moisture and calm irritation. on neck, chest, and body
- followed by Gold Bond Retinol Overnight Unscented Face and Body Lotion — retinol, niacinamide, ceramides, and shea/cocoa butter target aging while supporting the barrier overnight. on neck, chest, and body, PM only
Eyes
AM and PM:
- The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Eye Serum — peptides and caffeine target puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines.
- ROC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream — retinol plus a mineral and antioxidant blend smooths and firms the eye area.
Tip: The packaging says this eye cream is fine day and night, but most retinols are meant for PM only. I do use it AM and PM, and I make sure to wear sunglasses when I’m outside afterward to protect the skin.
Face Masks (twice a week)
I switch masks depending on what my skin needs that week. Oily, dry, and dehydrated are not the same thing, and treating them the same way will backfire.
- Oily or the week before my period: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque — salicylic acid plus clay unclog pores and control oil.
- Dry (lacking oil): Anua Heartleaf Cream Mask Night Solution — houttuynia cordata and ceramides soothe and lock in moisture overnight. (This is on Yesstyle, and also comes in a set of 10. I have ordered from here with no issues. The packaging looks green now, but it seems to be the same product I use).
- Dehydrated (lacking water): Anua Birch Moisture Mask — birch sap, beta-glucan, and 10 types of hyaluronic acid deliver intense hydration. (This is also on Yesstyle, and I can only find it in a set of 10)
- Easier to find options: 1025 Dokdo Hydrating Water Gel Mask — deep sea mineral water, amino acids, and panthenol soothe and deeply hydrate. (Also available on Amazon in a set of 10) and Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Mask — birch juice, hyaluronic acid, and allantoin hydrate and calm, with caffeine to brighten. (Also available on Amazon in a set of 10)
Tip: Dry skin lacks oil, dehydrated skin lacks water, and you can actually be oily and dehydrated at the same time. Pay attention to which one you’re dealing with before picking a mask.
This Post Was All About My Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin
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