100 Best Skin Care Products for Sensitive Skin in 2026: Tested, Reviewed & Approved

If your skin reacts easily—whether with redness, irritation, or breakouts—you know the struggle of finding products that actually work. Sensitive skin can be triggered by common ingredients, fragrances, and even seemingly “gentle” formulas. That’s why our NBC Select editors spent the past year testing hundreds of products—from moisturizers and serums to cleansers, toners, and exfoliants—to find the ones that are truly safe and effective.

Here’s our definitive list of the best skin care products for sensitive skin, all tested by editors with real sensitivities, and approved by dermatologists for gentle, irritation-free results.

How We Tested

Our editors each have different types of sensitive skin—some acne-prone, some rosacea-prone, and others with eczema or dermatitis. Every product was evaluated based on:

• Ingredients: We focused on skin-soothing, sensitive-friendly ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, squalane, aloe vera, and colloidal oatmeal. Products with heavy fragrances, alcohols, sulfates, or dyes were avoided.
• Tolerability: Products were tested for stinging, redness, breakouts, and overall irritation.
• Texture & Feel: We looked for lightweight, non-sticky, non-greasy formulas that absorb quickly and layer well under other products or makeup.
• Labels & Claims: Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic products were prioritized, but only if they lived up to those claims.

Our final list is divided into 10 key categories of face care, helping you build a complete routine without the stress of trial and error.

Cleansers

Cleansers are the first step in protecting sensitive skin. Gentle, non-foaming formulas that remove dirt and makeup without stripping are ideal.

• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser – Foaming yet soothing, perfect for rebalancing reactive skin.
• Etude SoonJung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser – Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and ideal for double cleansing.
• CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser – Accessible, effective, and gentle for everyday use.
• Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar – Simple, no-frills bar cleanser that keeps skin clean without irritation.
• Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water – Light, gentle, and perfect for removing makeup without residue.

Other notable cleansers: Cetaphil Face Wash, Glowbar Expert Cleanser, Augustinus Bader Cream Cleansing Gel.

Cleansing Balms & Oils

For makeup removal or heavier cleansing, balms and oils are indispensable.

• Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm – Gentle, hydrating, and effective on heavy makeup.
• Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil – Lightweight, non-greasy, great for oily or acne-prone skin.
• Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm – Melts makeup effortlessly without causing breakouts.
• Glossier Milky Jelly Cleansing Balm – Mild, eczema-friendly, and perfect for sensitive skin.

Other options: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Oil, True Botanicals Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm.

Toners

Toners for sensitive skin focus on hydration, calming irritation, and preparing the skin for serum or moisturizer.

• I’m from Rice Toner Milky Toner – Hydrating and brightening without stickiness or irritation.
• Byoma Hydrating Milky Toner – Soothes cold-weather sensitive skin.
• Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner for Sensitive Skin – Lightweight, alcohol-free, and gentle.
• Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – Mild chemical exfoliant suitable for sensitive skin prone to texture.

Other toners: Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Toner, Cosrx The 6 Peptide Booster Serum, Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel.

Exfoliants

Exfoliation is tricky for sensitive skin. We prioritized chemical or gentle enzymatic exfoliants over harsh scrubs.

• Peace Out AHA Pore & Blackhead Exfoliator Stick – Dual-purpose chemical and physical exfoliant.
• Dr. Dennis Gross Mini Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads – Two-step exfoliation with soothing ingredients.
• Medicube Toner Pads Zero Pore Pad Mild 2.0 – Gentle enough for nightly use even on dry, rosacea-prone skin.
• Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant Exfoliator – Powder-to-paste exfoliant that calms redness and smooths skin.
• Dr. Loretta Resurfacing Enzyme Polish – Enzymatic polish designed for sensitive and mature skin.

Other options: First Aid Beauty Radiance Pads, Kiehl’s Gentle Exfoliating Milk-Peel Toner, The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10%.

Serums

Serums provide targeted hydration, repair, and calming benefits for sensitive skin.

• Aveeno Calm + Restore Triple Oat Serum – Hypoallergenic, soothing, and oat-infused.
• The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 – Lightweight hydration, layering well with other products.
• Mixsoon Bean Essence – Gentle AHA exfoliant and serum in one.
• Dr. Jart Cicapair Sensitive Skin Serum – Calms redness and protects reactive skin.
• Hanyul Red Rice Hydrating Serum – Hydrating with ceramides, squalane, and panthenol.
• Glossier Futuredew – Dewy facial oil for long-lasting hydration.

Other serums: Herbivore Lapis Facial Oil, True Botanicals Phyto-Retinol Serum, Kiyomi Niacinamide Serum.

Moisturizers

Moisturizers are the backbone of a sensitive skin routine, offering hydration and barrier protection.

• Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream – Lightweight yet hydrating, perfect under makeup or at night.
• Aestura Atobarrier365 Cream – Rich, comforting cream ideal for eczema or rosacea flare-ups.
• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer – Gentle, ceramide- and niacinamide-rich formula.
• Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer – Affordable, lightweight, and non-irritating.
• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream – Thick, soothing cream for extra-dry or reactive skin.

Other notable options: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré.