Top Must-Have Sensitive Skincare Products for 2024
Hello friends, and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Today is the first part of my “Best of 2023” series, and we are diving into my favourite sensitive-skin-friendly skincare that saved my skin in 2023 and will continue to nourish my skin in 2024!
In August of 2022, I was in the USA for a while, so I used this opportunity to try out one of the online services that connects you with a dermatologist and then a custom-blended prescription skincare product. When I saw my custom formulas included hydroquinone in the morning and tretinoin in the evening, I stripped my skincare back to the basics: fragrance-free cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
I started using my new products once a week over a fully absorbed moisturizer to minimize the risk of skin irritation. Much to my surprise, my skin became very sensitized, looking dehydrated, flushed, and textured; in short, it was not a fun experience! With all of this happening to my skin, I swapped out my moisturizer for a barrier balm to try and mitigate what I was experiencing; however, to my dismay, after two months of trying to get these products to work, I had to discontinue using them altogether.
American Thanksgiving 2022 was when I stopped using the two custom-blend products and began focusing on repairing my moisture barrier and getting my rosacea back under control. Typically I would use products I’m already familiar with; however, I was watching a video by Abbey Yung, who raved about The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% (“Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% at the time), and I felt compelled to drive to Ulta and buy it the same day! I was stunned at how soothing this serum was, and I was still getting the benefits of peptides and anti-oxidants in my skincare routine! To make sure that the custom-blend formulas did not go to waste (I also forgot to cancel my subscription… lolz) I used the products instead on my body, which thankfully has proven more resilient.
Moving into New Year 2023, I added The INKEY List SuperSolutions 10% Azelaic Serum to my routine as I did not want to wait to get into the dermatologist’s office to get my previous prescription of Finacea 15% Gel (15% Azelaic Acid) refilled. I was thrilled with this new-to-me product from The INKEY List! Then in autumn, I began working my prescription tretinoin cream back into my routine slowly; and as we moved into winter, I started working The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA back into my routine twice a week on the nights I was not using my retinoid.
For me, 2023 was about the magic of simplicity – even though it is counter-intuitive to what we are seeing on social media, it aligns with the fundamentals that were instilled in me when I was doing my training as a medical aesthetician. This is a routine I am very eager to take with me into 2024.
Next week, we will be reviewing My Favourite Makeup of 2023! I cannot wait to see you there!
Warm Wishes,
Zack
Products Mentioned
Favourite Cleansing Oils & Balms
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil
Favourite Cleansers
Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
CeraVe Acne Control Face Cleanser, 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser
Favourite Miscellaneous Cleansers
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
SkinSmart Antimicrobial Eczema Therapy with Hypochlorous Acid
Favourite Essences & Toners
Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner
Neogen Dermalogy Real Ferment Micro Essence
Favourite Serums
It's Skin Power 10 Formula LI Effector Firefighter
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum
Timeless Skin Care Q10 Serum With Matrixyl 3000 & Hyaluronic Acid
Timeless Skin Care Matrixyl Synthe’6 Serum
Favourite Skincare Actives (Direct Acids & Retinoids)
The INKEY List SuperSolutions 10% Azelaic Serum
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA
Stiefel Stieva-A Tretinoin Cream USP 0.025%
Prescription Only
Favourite Moisturizers
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Purito Dermide Relief Barrier Moisturizer
Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Skin Barrier Redness Recovery Moisturizer
Favourite Non-Tinted Sunscreens
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++ (Chemical/Organic Filters - Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Tinosorb M, Uvasorb HEB)
Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF 50+ PA++++ in 01 Clear (Blend of Chemical/Organic and Mineral/Inorganic Filters - Octinoxate, Uvinal A Plus, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Tinosorb S)
Dr. G Green Mild Up Sun+ SPF 50+ PA++++ (Mineral/Inorganic Filter - Zinc Oxide)
Favourite Tinted Sunscreens
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic SPF 50 (Mineral/Inorganic Filter - Zinc Oxide)
Dr. Sam’s Flawless Gossamer Tint SPF 50 in Tint 01 (Mineral/Inorganic Filter - Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide)
Favourite Barrier Balms
Avene Cicalfate+ Cream
CeraVe CeraVe Baby Healing Ointment
Disclaimer
Skincare-related content is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or disorder of the skin; please consult with a physician or health care provider before following any treatment plan.
*The links I shared are affiliate links; if you choose to use them, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost. Thank you!