If you’re one of the millions of people navigating the daily challenge of sensitive skin, you know it’s more than just a skincare “type”—it’s a full-time relationship. You might’ve already searched for the best skincare for sensitive skin or best organic skincare products for sensitive skin, hoping for a miracle.

But here’s the thing: sensitive skin isn’t one-size-fits-all. And true relief? It starts with understanding what’s happening beneath the surface.

What Causes Sensitive Skin?

Sensitive skin isn’t a diagnosis—it’s a symptom. It can show up as redness, burning, stinging, tightness, or dryness. And it’s often triggered by multiple factors, including:

• Genetics: People with fair skin, red hair, or European ancestry often have thinner skin and lower melanin levels, making them more prone to sensitivity.

• Compromised Skin Barrier: A weak outer skin layer (called the stratum corneum) can let irritants in and moisture out, leading to inflammation and dryness.

• Overuse of Harsh Products: Too much exfoliation, fragrance, or active ingredients that have a low pH can strip your skin and throw its microbiome off.

• Underlying Skin Conditions: Eczema, rosacea, or allergic contact dermatitis can cause or amplify sensitivity. Often times they are also a symptom.

• Hormones and Stress: Hormonal changes during menopause or high stress levels can change your skin’s behavior, leading to increased reactivity.

Why the Skin Barrier Matters So Much

Let’s get sciencey for a sec. Your skin barrier (or microbiome) is like a brick wall: corneocytes are the bricks, and ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids are the mortar. When it’s strong, your skin stays hydrated and protected.

But when it’s weakened? You’ll notice symptoms like:

• Dry, flaky patches

• Increased redness or irritation

• Burning or stinging after applying products

• Breakouts or bumps, even without oily skin

If this sounds familiar, your top priority should be barrier repair and hydration.

Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin (Step-by-Step)

We get it—sensitive skin can feel like a mystery. That’s why we’ve built this simple, effective skincare routine for dry, sensitive skin that supports your barrier and minimizes triggers.

1. Cleanse with Care

Look for a pH-balanced, gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin. Harsh surfactants are a no-go.

Try: Chamomile Foaming Face Wash 
These use coconut-derived cleansing agents and chamomile floral water to clean without disrupting your microbiome. Also it has a pH of 5.3 which closely matches your skin’s own pH. When you use products that closely resemble your own pH they are less drying and they support the skin’s barrier.

If your skin is SUPER-REACTIVE:

Try: Cleansing Oil

Our Cleansing Oil is the gentlest way to wash your face—no foaming, no stripping, no stinging. Made with skin-loving oils like jojoba, olive, and sweet almond, this nourishing blend dissolves makeup, dirt, and sunscreen while calming irritated skin. It’s especially ideal for super sensitive or reactive skin types who can’t tolerate traditional cleansers. Just massage onto dry skin and rinse with a warm cloth—your skin will feel clean, soft, and perfectly balanced.

2. Hydrate with a Botanical Tonic

Sensitive skin is often dehydrated. A hydrating mist helps prep your skin for serums and instantly soothes redness.

Try: Brighten + Boost Tonic
With chamomile floral water, aloe vera juice, and peony extract—this toner helps calm and support a compromised skin barrier.

3. Apply a Barrier-Supporting Serum

Serums penetrate deeper layers of skin, so it’s essential they’re gentle and full of hydrating, skin-repairing ingredients.

Try: Barrier Defense Serum
This high performance serum contains high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, five types of ceramides, and squalane—perfect for rosacea-prone or reactive skin.

4. Moisturize to Seal It All In

Use a cream that restores and provides a protective barrier from the environmental elements that you come into contact with every single day!

Try: Face Cream
Made with kokum butter, apricot oil, green tea extract, and glycerin, this moisturizer supports your microbiome and keeps skin soft without feeling greasy.

5. (Optional) Add a Nighttime Facial Oil

If your skin feels tight or flaky at night, or you wake up to your skin feeling dry, consider a facial oil that is rich in naturally occurring Vitamin C to lock in hydration and calm inflammation.

Try: Pomegranate Facial Serum
This pure, cold-pressed organic oil is packed with omega-5s that support skin healing and softness.

What to Know Before You Start

1. Be Patient

Sensitive skin doesn’t heal overnight. It can take 2–4 weeks of consistent use for your skin to adjust and improve. Give it time. Consistency is the KEY!

2. Discontinue if You React

If you experience strong burning, itching, swelling, or redness, stop using the product immediately. Even natural products can cause reactions, especially if your barrier is already compromised. Start slow with your routine and build up to all of the products. I would start with the Pomegranate Facial Serum and build moisture and hydration on the skin. This will help strengthen the skin. Then, add in the Barrier Defense Serum. The 5 types of ceramides in the serum will strengthen the skin’s structure and start defending it again irritation. Then start to cleanse with our Cleansing Oil…eventually working your way up to our Foaming Face Wash. By adding products slowly…one at a time, you’re less likely to react.

3. No One-Size-Fits-All

Everyone’s skin is different. That’s why we recommend introducing new products one at a time, patch testing first, and customizing your skincare routine for sensitive skin based on how your skin responds.

Need help figuring out what works for you? We offer free virtual skincare consultations to support your journey.

Why Simple, Clean Ingredients Matter

For sensitive skin, especially dry or red-prone skin, ingredients make all the difference.

At Simple Body, we formulate every product in-house using clean, organic, and fragrance-free or lightly scented botanicals or essential oils only. No sulfates, no parabens, formaldehyde and no fillers—just ingredients your skin can recognize and trust.

Our Top Product Picks for Sensitive Skin

Here’s a recap of the best skincare products for sensitive skin available at Simple Body:

• Chamomile Foaming Face Wash – gentle, pH-balanced cleansing

• Brighten + Boost Tonic – calming and hydrating mist

• Barrier Defense Serum – ceramides + hyaluronic acid

• Face Cream – deeply hydrating yet breathable

• Pomegranate Facial Serum – nourishing nighttime oil

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re dealing with redness, flaking, stinging, or just general discomfort, finding the best skincare for sensitive skin can be challenging. But look for brands with integrity and transparency in their ingredients. Look for bio identical plant-based ingredients. Work toward building a routine with natural, soothing products that you trust.  Minimize your routine and keep it simple. If you’re still struggling, reach out to a professional! We’re here to help, not just sell you a bunch of products that don’t work for your skin! We want you to love your products and feel comforted knowing they are made from the very best that nature has to offer! Also, remember to be consistent with your routine and give your skin time to restore itself.

You deserve skincare that doesn’t just feel good—it should work. And we’re here to help every step of the way.

Want help building your routine?

Book your free skincare consultation today or stop by our Colorado Springs shop for personalized support.