I’m the self-appointed president of the Sensitive Skin Club. If there’s burning, breakouts, or stinging to be had—I’ll know it. My face is highly reactive and irritable, and while that's typically unwelcome, it does make me the perfect person to test the best moisturizers for sensitive skin.
My constant battle with redness, rashes, and itchiness doesn't exist in a vacuum. More people have sensitive skin than ever before (nearly 70 percent of people self-identify as having sensitive skin). Thankfully, there's no shortage of gentle and calming products on the market—you just have to know what to look for.
In my experience, creams trump lotions, ceramides, and squalane reign supreme, and fragrance is notoriously unwelcome. I avoid resurfacing acids and seek out redness-reducing properties, anti-inflammatory ingredients, and skin barrier-boosting actives.
I’ve learned my lessons the hard way (through a lot of trial and error), but in the end, I've been able to determine the best moisturizers for sensitive skin with the help of board-certified dermatologists Robert Finney, M.D. FAAD, and Nava Greenfield, M.D. FAAD.
To set your skin up for success, shop for the best moisturizers for sensitive skin ahead.
The Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin
- Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin Overall: Shani Darden Hydration Peptide Cream
- Best Drugstore Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
- Best Luxury Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: ReVive Sensitif Renewal Daily Cellular Protection Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30
- Best Moisturizer for Sensitive, Oily Skin: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Repair
- Best Daytime Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Sensitive
Shani Darden is single-handedly saving my dry, dull skin. Skin stays plumped and balanced with a lightweight, creamy formula focused on hydration and nourishment. Typical hydrators like peptides and squalane are at the forefront, in addition to an ingredient called hydrosella, which is clinically proven to provide 72 hours of hydration.
Key ingredients: Peptides (firming and plumping), hydrosella (72-hour hydration), squalene (locks in moisture), niacinamide (minimizes pores)
Texture: Thinner cream
Size: 2.5 oz
What We Love: Deeply hydrating; Non-comedogenic; Long-lasting
What We Don't: Might pill
Review for MC: “My skin is currently entering its extra-dry phase of life. Historically, flakes and peeling are par for the course for me, but I've stayed in the clear thanks to Shani Darden’s incredible moisturizer. I also tried out this product in the middle of a break out (I know, daunting), and overnight I found my blemishes seriously shrink up thanks to its inclusion of niacinamide. Plus, my skin gained a gorgeous glow and bounce." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Freelance Beauty Writer Emma Aerin Becker wears Shani Darden's Peptide Cream.
“My favorite cheap and easily accessible moisturizer for sensitive skin is La Roche Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream," Dr. Finney shares with MC. "It is thick and hydrating, but will not clog your pores and contribute to breakouts. It also contains ceramides, glycerin, shea butter and niacinamide, which are great for soothing skin and fighting off pigmentation.”
Key Ingredients: Prebiotic thermal water (soothing), ceramide-3 (strengthens skin barrier), shea butter (moisturizing), niacinamide (soothing)
Texture: Thick cream
Size: 13.5 oz
What We Love: Dermatologist-recommended; Affordable
What We Don't: Might pill for some
Review for MC: "Having sensitive skin can come with a high price. But after trying dozens of moisturizers on my highly-reactive, irritable skin, this $20 product has proven to be a lifesaver. The thick texture feels incredibly soothing yet doesn't clog my pores, and it gives my face a gorgeous glow. It does pill if I apply makeup over the top, but it's absolutely perfect for bare-faced days." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Freelance Beauty Writer Emma Aerin Becker wears La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizing Cream for Dry Skin.
I love ReVive’s classic Moisturizing Renewal Cream, but it contains a handful of resurfacing acids that occasionally cause some irritation. Still, I couldn’t stand the thought of parting with the moisturizer’s anti-aging, firming benefits. Then, I realized I could have the best of both worlds with a little help from their Sensitif line. This product contains all the amazing, fine-line reducing benefits, with the addition of soothing properties, SPF protection, and calming agents.
Key Ingredients: Bio-renewal peptide (anti-aging), sunflower, avocado, and olive oils (restorative), SPF (protects against UVA/UVB rays)
Texture: Lightweight cream
Size: 1.7 oz
What We Love: Anti-aging; Soothing; Slightly cooling
What We Don't: Expensive; scent
Review for MC: "I absolutely love the texture of this moisturizer. It's airy and lightweight, yet deeply moisturizing and soothing on my dry skin. The product is also perfect for every day use with its SPF and anti-aging properties. While pricey, ReVive's Sensitif Renewal Cream has so many benefits it's nearly impossible not to reach for it." — Emma Aerin Becker, Freelance Beauty Writer
Freelance Beauty Writer Emma Aerin Becker wears ReVive's Sensitif Renewal Cream.
Contrary to popular belief, not all sensitive skin is dry. SkinCeuticals' Triple Lipid Repair is your perfect match if you suffer from oily, irritable skin. The lightweight formula hydrates and nourishes skin while reducing the appearance of enlarged pores. As a moisturizer for greasy girls, it also helps balance oil production and leaves no greasy texture behind.
Key Ingredients: Algae extracts (hydrating), botanical extracts (minimize pores),
Texture: Lightweight cream
Size: 2 oz
What We Love: Lightweight; Pore shrinking
What We Don't: Not hydrating enough for dry skin types
Review for MC: “If you have oily skin that is also sensitive, allow me to direct your attention to SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Repair. It’s lightweight and non-comedogenic, has pore-shrinking properties thanks to the inclusion of carefully curated botanical extracts, and is packed with enough vitamins and nutrients to bring compromised skin to a healthy state. I truly notice that my pores and blackheads look smaller when I use this consistently.” — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Samantha Holender wears Skinceauticals Triple Lipid Repair.
The Embryolisse Lait-Crème Sensitive is simply unbeatable for anyone with reactive skin. The silky lotion is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, providing the skin with vital nutrients, helping it retain water, and protecting it from aggressions. It leaves a comfortable, soothing, silky-soft veil over even the most fragile, sensitive, and reactive skin. It's so gentle it even works on babies!
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera (soothing), soy proteins (moisturizing), shea butter (nourishing and softening), beeswax (protective)
Texture: Thick and silky
Size: 3.38 oz
What We Love: Editor-approved; perfect makeup base; glowy finish
What We Don't: Hard to get everything out of the tube
Review for MC: “This has been my morning moisturizer for the past two years, and regardless of what other formulas I try, this comes out on top. It’s a fragrance-free cream formulated to soothe reactive skin, infuse hydration, and double as a makeup base. It feels incredibly lightweight, which makes the deep hydration all the much more surprising. With a quarter-sized amount, I notice my skin looks less red (I have rosacea so that’s saying a lot), feels incredibly supple, and has a great glow. I truly can’t live without it.” — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Samantha Holender wears Embryolisse Lait-Creme Sensitif.
Other Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin We Love
This product is a Kiehl's best seller—and for good reason. The jar houses an ultra-hydrating facial cream with a unique lightweight texture and 72 hours of sustained hydration—no big deal! It's non-greasy, fragrance-free, absorbs easily into the skin, and is clinically proven to hydrate 15 layers deep for softer, smoother, and healthier-looking skin.
Key Ingredients: Squalene (softening), glacial glycoprotein (hydrating), pro-ceramides (strengthens skin barrier)
Texture: Lightweight, gel-like cream
Size: 1.7 oz
What We Love: Lightweight texture; Fragrance-free
What We Don't: None
Review for MC: “Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream is the very first cream moisturizer I ever loved and the only protective layer I let near my sensitive, doesn't-want-to-be-touched teenage skin (seriously, I couldn't stand the feeling of anything on my face besides gels and serums). Fragrance-free and extremely silky, this stuff is ultra-lightweight while still providing a level of hydration that rivals the heavier balms I learned to covet later in life.” — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Never doubt the drugstore. This product is under $20 and works like magic to hydrate the skin for 24 hours and restore your skin's moisture barrier. The lightweight formula quickly melts into your skin, and works beautifully on the face, body, and hands.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (hydrating), ceramides (strengthen skin barrier)
Texture: Lightweight lotion
Size: 16 oz
What We Love: Affordable; Dermatologist-approved
What We Don't: There are more multi-beneficial formulas
Review for MC: “I have had sensitive skin for years, and the only moisturizer that has never failed me has been the CeraVe daily moisturizing lotion. It is super lightweight but hydrating, so you can wear it in both winter and summer. If your skin is a little irritated from retinoids or dryness it also helps soothe the area, and as an extra plus it is very budget friendly.” — Sophie Cookson, E-Commerce Analyst
This product is all about your skin's bounce and glow. Powered by peptides, amino acids, ceramides, and collagen, it doubles hydration, boosts elasticity, improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and reinforces the skin’s moisture barrier within four weeks. The unique texture quickly absorbs into the skin, leaving a healthy shine throughout the entire day.
Key Ingredients: Amino acids (hydrating), peptides (conditioning), ceramides (strengthen skin barrier), collagen (firming)
Texture: Balm-to-gel
Size: 1.7 oz
What We Love: Good for redness; Works well under makeup
What We Don't: Too thick for some
Review for MC: "I've finished multiple bottles of this moisturizer. It instantly calms redness and soothes irritation (especially after I use an exfoliating mask). The texture is like icing—thick and smooth, instantly melting into my skin without leaving a residue behind. It also plays nicely with the rest of my products" — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor
I have to admit, I'm no stranger to eczema. Every winter my eyelids, ears, and neck are riddled with flaky, red skin. But this First Aid Beauty product always has my back. The lightweight moisturizer instantly relieves dry, distressed skin and eczema. Plus, it strengthens the skin barrier in seven days, ensuring calm, comfortable skin.
Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal (treats eczema), shea butter (moisturizing), allantoin (calming)
Texture: Lightweight cream
Size: 6 oz
What We Love: Very calming, great for distressed skin, doesn't sting extra-dry skin
What We Don't: Smell isn’t for everyone
Review for MC: “When I've been too ambitious with my retinol or AHAs and my sensitive skin is flaring up, I swear by First Aid Beauty's line of face moisturizers. They're the only moisturizers I've ever found (aside from Aquaphor, which doesn't really count? Does it?) that soothe my skin when it's dry and flaky and annoyed. Every other moisturizer makes my skin sting even more, at best, and at worst, makes my skin more annoyed than ever, so I immediately switch to this moisturizer when needed. I'm not sure what colloidal oatmeal is, to be honest with you, but it feels great.” – Jenny Hollander, Digital Director
Redness? No problem. The Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream's ultra-soothing active ingredients calm on contact—providing immediate comfort, reducing redness, and helping skin become more resilient.
Key Ingredients: Boerhavia diffusa root extract and tasmannia lanceolata leaf extract (reduce redness), ceramides (strengthen skin barrier), cica (firming), squalene (smoothing)
Texture: Thick cream
Size: 1.7 oz
What We Love: Good for eczema
What We Don't: Too thick for acne-prone skin
Review for MC: “With a seal from the National Eczema Association, you can be confident this fragrance and essential oil-free moisturizer is suitable for even the most irritable skin. Lipids and ceramides take center stage and work to strengthen the skin’s barrier, so it’s less likely to react. It’s the inclusion of centella asiatica (one of my favorite ingredients) that puts it on my radar. The ingredient is known to soothe redness, reduce fine lines, and plump up the complexion.” — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Dr. Barbara Sturm's Face Cream Rich is lightweight (for a rich cream), fast-absorbing, anti-aging, and super-calming. What more could you ask for? When used at night, you're sure to wake up with healthy-looking and refreshed skin that lasts 24 hours. The creamy formula also contains ingredients, including skullcap and purslane—two anti-aging powerhouses that help calm the skin and reduce visible signs of irritation.
Key Ingredients: Skullcap (anti-aging), vitamin E (smoothing), avocadin (hydrates and calms)
Texture: Lightweight cream
Size: 1.69 oz
What We Love: Great for irritated skin, anti-aging, lightweight
What We Don't: Expensive
Review for MC: "As a beauty editor, I'm very grateful that I don't have to buy many products. Testing skincare is quite literally my job. That being said: I will go to the store and spend my own money just to ensure I have a constant supply of this face cream. It's one of the only products that doesn't burn upon application, consistently hydrates my skin, and actively calms redness." — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
100 hours of moisture? Yes, please. This product isn't over-hyped, it's accurately hyped. Dr. Jart's Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream is a fast-absorbing, cushiony, dermatologist-tested product with five ceramides and panthenol to support a strong skin barrier, add moisture, and visibly boost elasticity.
Key ingredients: Ceramides (strengthens skin barrier), panthenol (reduces water loss), glycerin (moisturizes)
Texture: Gel-like cream
Size: 1.7 oz
What We Love: Deeply hydrating; Long-lasting
What We Don't: Might pill if used under makeup
Review for MC: "You know when you use one hyped-up product and realize it's worth it? That's how I felt about using this cream from Dr. Jart. It's so thick (perfect for my dry, dehydrated skin) and instantly cools down my hot-to-touch face after I use a deep-cleaning face mask for exfoliating serum. I use it day or night because it layers well under makeup or under my favorite face oil. Plus, a little goes a long way and the tube lasts forever." — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor
VioletteFR's Boum-Boum Milk and C’est La Cream are sensitive skin's dream team. Used AM and PM (and however much you want in between), Boum-Boum Milk quickly absorbs into the skin to provide deep hydration and reduce redness. Layered on top, C’est La Cream creates a soothing cocoon whenever an extra moisture boost is needed. With both products, your skin will be left feeling plump and flaunting a velvet glow.
Key Ingredients: Squalene (locks in moisture), probiotics and prebiotics (support skin barrier and microbiome)
Texture: Liquid "milk" and thick cream, 3.14 oz of C’est La Cream
Size: 100 ml of Boum-Boum Milk,
What We Love: Bundle; Reparative Cons: Expensive
What We Don't: Expensive
Review for MC: “I have rosacea, contact dermatitis, and UV damage to my skin, meaning it’s more sensitive than most and reactive to many products. This skincare duo is the first to help with my rosacea without irritating it. Boum Milk is literally a spray moisturizer that goes on first (I can also put it on my body and hair—making it a savior when I travel), then C’est La Cream is the barrier cream that protects, nourishes and “sets” my skin for the day. The dream!” — Katherine J. Igoe, Contributing Syndication Editor
SENTÉ's Dermal Repair Ultra Nourish is a lipid-replenishing cream that nourishes and smooths skin while preventing water loss. It's uniquely formulated for drier, sensitive skin types, so there's no need to worry about irritation. The product also addresses fine lines, wrinkles, and redness with patented Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA) technology and a lipid blend, which deeply hydrates and helps restore the skin's natural barrier.
Key Ingredients: HSA (rapid and deep hydration), lipid blend (mimic the skin's epidermal lipids to restore the barrier)
Texture: Thick cream
Size: 1.7 oz
What We Love: Hypo-allergenic; Non-comedogenic
What We Don't: Too heavy for some
Review from MC: “While using a great moisturizer for sensitive skin can prevent a lot of stress, there are times when the damage is already done (read: burning, stinging, redness). In those moments, this deeply reparative cream is the only option. It addresses fine lines, wrinkles, and redness but delivers instant relief to stressed-out skin. It’s not cooling per se; however, it delivers the same relaxing sensation when skin needs to be calmed down.” — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
This lightweight, alcohol-free moisturizer is made with sensitive and blemish-prone skin in mind. It uses unique antioxidants and ceramide complexes to visibly refine skin's texture and enlarged pores, reduce redness, and boost your moisture barrier. It's also completely alcohol-free and non-greasy.
Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol (refines look of texture and pores), ceramides (strengthen skin barrier), CoQ10 (reduces redness)
Texture: Lightweight cream
Size: 1.7 oz
What We Love: Non-comedogenic; Lightweight
What We Don't: Not hydrating enough for super dry skin
Review for MC: "I've been dealing with adult acne over the last couple of years and it's been tricky to find day creams that are rich enough to hydrate my skin without causing the acne to flare or get worse. This cream from Peace Out! Skincare is the one that does it all for me. The formula is light and works to repair my skin barrier, and I've noticed that my blemishes look better as I continue to use it." — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Why Trust Marie Claire
Marie Claire is an authority on sensitive skin, having tested the best mascaras for sensitive skin and researching the top ingredients to avoid if you have senstive skin. The majority of our editors‚ including the two writers for this piece (Emma Aerin Becker and Samantha Holender), have sensitive skin types, making them uniquely qualified to test moisturizers for sensitive skin.
We tapped two experts—New York-based, board-certified dermatologists—as well, to assemble a list of the best, safest moisturizers for all variations of sensitive skin.
How We Tested
Marie Claire editors were quick to volunteer their favorite moisturizers for sensitive skin. After picking 15 dermatologist-approved moisturizers for sensitive skin, our independent testers (plus a few Marie Claire staffers) tested them. They individually reviewed their given moisturizers based on ingredients, benefits, texture, experience, and results.
Do I Have Sensitive Skin?
Determining if your skin is acne-prone, oily, or dry is a little more cut and dry than determining if your skin is sensitive. “Typically, people know that they have sensitive skin when they try different products and are quick to get irritation, flaking, or sensitivity on their skin,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Robert Finney. “I always tell patients that one of the first signs that your skin is getting sensitive is that it feels tight or you get a burning, stinging sensation when you put on lotions, even those that are considered moisturizers." Use those symptoms as a caution sign that dry, flaky, red skin is around the corner.
What to Look For in a Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin
- Texture
“First off, skip lotions and look for a cream,” advises Dr. Finney. “Creams are way better at hydrating and restoring the barrier of your skin.” That means thicker is likely going to be your friends—especially in the winter.
- Ingredients
“I look for important ingredients that help to repair and hydrate, such as ceramides, glycerin, and squalene,” says Dr. Finney. “Avoid words like anti-aging, exfoliating. Those products are likely to contain potentially irritating ingredients such as alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids or retinols.”
Just as important as the ingredients you want to actively seek out, are the ingredients you want to avoid. "Look for moisturizers that avoid including any harsh ingredients and preservatives, leave out strong fragrances, alcohol, and ingredients known to cause allergic and irritant reactions," advises Dr. Greenfield.
Meet the Dermatologists
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Dr. Finney completed his undergraduate and medical degrees at Pennsylvania State University. He completed his internship and dermatology residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA where he served as chief resident during his final year. He also performed a postdoctoral research fellowship in eczema and allergic contact dermatitis at Rockefeller University in addition to an advanced fellowship in aesthetics, hair restoration, and skin surgery with renowned hair surgeon Dr. Marc Avram in New York. Dr. Finney is a clinical assistant professor at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine.
Dr. Finney is an expert in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology and is regularly asked to contribute to various media outlets, including Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire, and Women’s Health. He does not approach aesthetics from a cookie-cutter approach, rather he works closely with each patient to design a customized treatment regimen to achieve his or her desired aesthetic outcomes that appear natural and refreshed, never over-done.
Dr. Nava Greenfield is a dermatologist practicing at Schweiger Dermatology Group. Dr. Greenfield earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Queens College, City University of New York, where she graduated Cum Laude with honors in mathematics, natural sciences, chemistry and biochemistry.
Dr. Greenfield attended medical school at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University. She completed her internship at Yale-New Haven Hospital and her residency in dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Dr. Greenfield has been published in many medical journals, including The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, the Journal of Women’s Dermatology and Pediatrics. Dr. Greenfield is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Women’s Dermatologic Society and the American Medical Association.
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