Sensitive skin can be frustrating—it reacts when it shouldn’t, flares up for no clear reason, and often feels like a mystery to decode.
The truth is, sensitive skin doesn’t need complicated routines. It needs consistency, care, and clean ingredients that support your skin’s natural barrier instead of stripping it down.
At Mary Louise Cosmetics, we believe in skincare that’s gentle, non-toxic, and minimalist. If you're looking to create a clean skincare routine for sensitive skin, here’s where to start—and what to skip.
1. Stick to a Simple, Consistent Routine
Sensitive skin thrives on simplicity. Overloading your skin with too many products (even “clean” ones) can cause more harm than good. A gentle cleanser, a soothing moisturizer, and SPF during the day are more than enough to start.
2. Use a Non-Stripping, Fragrance-Free Cleanser
Cleansers can either set your skin up for success, or totally derail it. Look for a cleanser that doesn’t contain sulfates, artificial fragrances, or drying alcohols.
Try: Green Tea Facial Cleanser
Formulated with calming green tea extract, this cleanser gently removes dirt and oil without disrupting your skin’s natural moisture barrier. It’s ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types who need a clean rinse, not a tight, squeaky feeling.
3. Moisturize with Gentle, Barrier-Supporting Creams
Sensitive skin is often linked to a compromised skin barrier. That means you need to lock in hydration and nourish the skin with ingredients that help repair and protect.
Try: Olive Renewal Facial Cream
This antioxidant-rich moisturizer is packed with olive-derived squalane, which mimics your skin’s natural oils and helps replenish moisture without clogging pores or causing irritation.
4. Avoid Common Irritants in “Natural” Products
Even some clean or natural products can include ingredients that irritate sensitive skin, like essential oils, citrus extracts, or heavy fragrances. Always check the ingredient list, and when in doubt, patch test first.
5. Hydrate and Soothe Beyond the Face
If your skin is sensitive all over (not just on your face), body care matters too. Skip harsh body washes and opt for fragrance-free or naturally scented moisturizers with a short, nourishing ingredient list.
Try: Lilac Body Butter
Made with shea butter, aloe, and soothing lilac extract, this ultra-nourishing body butter calms and hydrates without heavy perfumes or fillers.
Stick With It—and Be Gentle
The biggest gift you can give sensitive skin is consistency. Clean skincare doesn’t mean doing the most—it means using high-quality, non-toxic ingredients that support your skin’s natural balance.
If you’ve been overwhelmed by all the steps, actives, and opinions out there, consider this your permission to simplify. Your skin will thank you.
