Sensitive skin? Here's how to keep your skincare routine calm and effective

Skin that quickly becomes red, stings, feels tight, or reacts to new products: it’s more common than you might think. Research shows that a large proportion of adults report having sensitive skin to varying degrees. In a large meta-analysis, approximately 71% reported some degree of skin sensitivity, while about 40% described their skin as moderately to very sensitive. For Europe, another study found approximately 38% with sensitive or very sensitive skin.

But what exactly do we mean by sensitive skin? And more importantly: how do you put together a routine without unnecessarily burdening your skin?

 

What is sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin is not simply one fixed skin type. In dermatological literature, sensitive skin is associated with unpleasant sensations such as stinging, burning, itching, tingling, and a tight feeling. Visible signs of irritation are not always present.

Furthermore, sensitive skin can occur in people with normal skin, but can also coincide with a disrupted skin barrier or skin conditions such as rosacea and atopic dermatitis.

That is why we find it important not to immediately label every bit of redness as a specific skin problem.

Why can your skin become more sensitive?

There isn't one single cause. Various factors can play a role.

For example, a dry or vulnerable skin barrier, weather influences, the use of irritating products, or a routine that uses too many active ingredients simultaneously. Fragrance can also cause irritation or an allergic reaction in some people. The American Academy of Dermatology therefore advises, for sensitive skin, among other things, mild cleansing and, where possible, fragrance-free products.

The starting point does not have to be:

The more products, the better.

In fact, a simple routine can be pleasant when your skin reacts quickly.

 

Step 1 — Start with a mild cleanse

Even with sensitive skin, you want to remove SPF, makeup, sebum, and dirt. At the same time, you want to prevent cleansing from making your skin unnecessarily dry or tight.

That's why, with sensitive skin, we don't just look at whether you cleanse, but especially at with what and how often.

Beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Oil

For the first cleansing step, the Beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Oil 200 ml is an interesting option.

Beplain specifically positions this cleansing oil as suitable for sensitive skin. According to the brand, the formula is:

• free of fragrance and essential oils;
• formulated with mung bean complex, panthenol, and allantoin, among others;
• non-comedogenic tested;
• developed to emulsify into a milky texture that can then be rinsed off with lukewarm water.

That makes it particularly interesting if you are looking for a cleansing oil to, for example, remove makeup and SPF as a first cleansing step.

Apply the oil to a dry face, massage gently, then add a little water. The oil will then turn into a milky emulsion. Then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. This is also the method of use prescribed by Beplain itself.

Shanichell-tip: vigorous rubbing is not necessary. For sensitive skin, gentle cleansing is more important than feeling that your skin must be completely "degreased" afterward.

Then: Beplain Mung Bean pH-Balanced Cleansing Foam

If you want to double cleanse, you can follow the cleansing oil with the Beplain Mung Bean pH-Balanced Cleansing Foam.

We deliberately keep the first two steps simple and within the same Mung Bean line.

Do you have very dry or sensitive skin and rarely wear makeup or SPF? Then an extensive double cleanse may not always be necessary. The American Academy of Dermatology, for example, notes that for dry or sensitive skin, cleansing once a day in the evening may be sufficient for some people.

 

Step 2 — Give sensitive skin peace of mind

After cleansing, there's no need to immediately follow with a long series of serums, acids, and other active ingredients.

A simple routine with a suitable moisturizer can be particularly pleasant.

That's where Dr.Jart+ Cicapair and Ceramidin products come in.

Dr.Jart+ Cicapair: when redness is prominent

The Cicapair line is interesting when your skin appears red or sensitive quickly.

For our selection, we can refer to, for example:

Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream

and, for those who also want to optically correct redness:

Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Soothing Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30.

Important: we would not present Cicapair in the blog as a treatment for rosacea, eczema, or another skin condition. Cosmetic skincare can care for the skin but does not replace a medical diagnosis or treatment.

 

Step 3 — Consider the skin barrier

Does your skin feel particularly dry, tight, or vulnerable? Then it makes sense to emphasize hydration and support for the skin barrier.

The Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin line fits well into this routine for that purpose.

In the blog, we could, for example, refer to:

Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream

or the lighter:

Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Milky Lotion.

Here I would make the distinction very simply:

Cicapair → particularly interesting when sensitivity and visible redness are prominent.

Ceramidin → particularly interesting when dryness and a vulnerable or tight skin feeling are prominent.

So it doesn't necessarily have to be both.

 

Less can sometimes be more

When your skin reacts sensitively, it's tempting to keep adding new products. But that can make it harder to find out what your skin is reacting to.

A simple routine can, for example, consist of:

Evening:
Beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Oil → optionally Beplain Mung Bean pH-Balanced Cleansing Foam → Cicapair or Ceramidin moisturizer.

Morning:
Simple care → SPF.

Preferably introduce new products one by one. Those who react quickly to cosmetics can also first test a new product on a small area of skin. The American Academy of Dermatology advises a patch test on a small area for 7–10 days before using the product more widely.

When is skincare not enough?

Sensitive skin is not automatically a medical problem. However, persistent or severe redness, swelling, itching, pain, burning, or a rash can also have another cause.

If symptoms persist, worsen, or you don't know what your skin is reacting to, it's wise to contact your general practitioner or dermatologist instead of constantly trying new skincare. A dermatologist can, for example, consider additional tests such as patch tests for suspected contact allergies.

 

Peace starts with a routine that suits your skin

Sensitive skin does not automatically need more skincare. Often, it's precisely pleasant to make conscious choices: gentle cleansing, not too many different active ingredients at once, and sufficient attention to hydration and the skin barrier.

With Beplain for a mild cleansing routine and Dr.Jart+ Cicapair or Ceramidin for the care step, we can put together a clear routine without promising that one product is the ultimate solution for every sensitive skin.