Sensitive Skin Saviours: A Calming Skincare Routine

If you have sensitive skin, you’ll know how tricky it can be to find skincare that truly feels good. Caring for sensitive skin isn’t always straightforward; one wrong ingredient or overly harsh formula, and your skin lets you know about it. Whether you suffer from redness, dryness or irritation, unexpected flare-ups can turn even the simplest skincare routines into a daily challenge. With so many products on the shelves, it can be tough to know what will truly soothe and support your skin without causing further discomfort. 

Here at Planet Organic, we believe skincare should be simple, soothing, and kind to your complexion, with gentle, natural ingredients that work in harmony with your skin. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a calming skincare routine specially designed for sensitive skin. From soothing cleansers to hydrating serums and protective moisturisers, discover our top tips on how to build a routine that restores balance and leaves your skin feeling calm, comforted, and cared for.

What is a good skincare routine for sensitive skin?

A good skincare routine for sensitive skin is all about keeping things simple, soothing, and supportive, focusing on calming, fragrance-free formulations that nourish your skin’s barrier without causing irritation. The key is to avoid harsh scrubs, alcohol-based toners, and heavily fragranced products that could cause irritation - make sure that you patch test any new products prior to regular use so you can ensure they don’t react badly to your skin. Keep your routine minimal, as the fewer products you use, the less chance of irritation. All you need is a simple morning and evening routine to keep your skin healthy.

Morning skincare routine for sensitive skin

To jumpstart your skincare routine in the morning, it’s important to keep things simple and lightweight so as not to clog your pores or irritate any skin issues you may have. A gentle cleanse, light moisturiser and a protective SPF is a great place to start. Below are a few simple steps to get your sensitive skin on track at the start of the day

Cleanse

A mild, non-foaming cleanser should be used in the morning to gently remove overnight impurities without stripping natural oils. Look for a cream or milk cleanser with calming ingredients like chamomile, calendula and aloe vera.

Apply a toner

This step is optional, however, if you like using a toner, we suggest choosing an alcohol-free, hydrating one with soothing botanical ingredients like rose water or witch hazel to balance your skin without irritation.

Apply a serum
Serums in the morning are not a necessary step, however, applying a brightening serum like vitamin c or niacinamide to calm inflammation can help to strengthen your skin barrier. 

Moisturise
Use a fragrance-free, gentle moisturiser designed for sensitive skin that is lightweight to avoid clogging your pores. Look for a moisturiser with ingredients like shea butter, oat extract, or ceramides to lock in moisture and protect the skin’s natural barrier.

Protect with SPF
Using an SPF daily is necessary for all skin types to protect against harmful sun rays. Always use a broad-spectrum SPF to effectively protect against UV damage. A mineral-based sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) is typically less irritating than chemical sunscreens.

Evening skincare routine for sensitive skin

Your night-time skincare routine should at the very least involve a deep cleanse and a nourishing moisturiser. Below we have outlined a simple evening skincare routine to follow to help cleanse and hydrate your sensitive skin.

Cleanse

To begin your evening routine, use a gentle, oil-based cleanser to help remove any make-up and SPF from the day. Follow up with a cream or water-based cleanser to cleanse away daily impurities for a deeper cleanse.

Apply a serum 

Again, this step is optional, however, a hyaluronic acid serum can help to soothe and hydrate your skin, locking in and replenishing moisture overnight.

Exfoliate

This step is optional. It is important if you have sensitive skin to avoid exfoliators that are too harsh. You should also only exfoliate 2-3 times per week to avoid overexfoliation that can lead to a damaged skin barrier. Avoid alcohol-based formulas and mechanical scrubs; instead, opt for a chemical exfoliant like glycolic or mandelic acid, or enzymatic exfoliants to naturally loosen dead skin cells.

Moisturise

In the evening, we suggest opting for a richer moisturiser to add hydration to the skin and help to repair your skin barrier overnight, especially if your sensitive skin feels particularly tight, irritated or dry.

Apply a treatment (if needed)

If you experience redness or flare-ups with your sensitive skin, you can use a targeted soothing balm, oil or cream to help soothe the skin. 

What is the most calming ingredient for skin?

When it comes to achieving and maintaining healthy skin, there are certain ingredients within skincare products that we should look out for that indicate whether it will be effective at calming and soothing the skin. Skin-soothing ingredients work to visibly calm signs of irritation or sensitivity and are often derived from plants. Whether you suffer from skin irritations like eczema, acne or rosacea, there are certain soothing ingredients that can work to diminish signs of irritation.

Some of the most calming ingredients for sensitive skin include:

• Aloe vera - Aloe vera is a plant known for its soothing and hydrating properties, making it a great option for calming mild irritations such as sunburns, cuts, and breakouts. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties also help speed up healing processes whilst hydrating the skin.

• Chamomile - Chamomile is often used to ease itching, swelling, and redness, and is frequently incorporated into skincare products due to its soothing and calming effects. 

• Colloidal oatmeal - Colloidal oatmeal, which is made from finely ground oats, is a beloved, natural ingredient known for its ability to soothe irritation. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help reduce skin irritation. 

Is organic skincare good for sensitive skin?

Yes, organic skincare can be a fantastic choice for those with more sensitive skin as these products typically avoid harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances and parabens which are common culprits behind irritation and skin flare-ups in those with sensitive complexions. The organic nature of these products ensures that they meet strict standards that exclude the use of pesticides, GMOs, or other harmful substances, making them perfect for those who want to protect sensitive skin while embracing a more eco-friendly approach. 

Organic skincare relies on using gentle, plant-based ingredients that work in harmony with your skin’s natural barrier to effectively cleanse and nourish the skin in the most calming way. The gentle composition of these organic formulas helps to significantly reduce the risk of irritation and allergic reactions, offering optimal tolerance for sensitive skin.

It's important to note however, that just because a product is labelled ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ this doesn't automatically mean it is irritation-free. Some sensitive skin types may react to natural essential oils or botanical extracts in a negative way, which is why it is always a good idea to opt for fragrance-free skincare products to prevent triggering any reactions. If you have highly sensitive skin, it is always a good idea to patch test new formulas before applying them to your skin fully in order to reduce unwanted reactions.

Best products for sensitive skin

Here at Planet Organic, we offer a wide range of natural, organic and calming skincare products suitable for all skin types, but especially sensitive skin that aim to cleanse, nourish and protect your skin’s barrier, giving you a radiant complexion.

Evolve Gentle Cleansing Melt With Baobab & Vanilla and Dr.Hauschka Cleansing Cream 

When it comes to the best cleansers for sensitive skin, this Evolve Gentle Cleansing Melt is great for taking off make-up as the first step of your evening routine. Containing nourishing organic coconut and baobab oil that soothes and hydrates, the natural sugar extracts combine with water to turn into a creamy milk that gently rinses away impurities, leaving skin clean, calm and hydrated. Another great cleanser for sensitive skin is the Dr.Hauschka Cleansing Cream, which is a simple cleanser made with calming chamomile and calendula, as well as a sweet almond meal that gently exfoliates, making this a great choice for your second cleanse. The natural ingredients in this cleanser can also help to balance and refine your complexion.

Antipodes Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream and Weleda Skin Food Nourishing Day Cream

For moisturiser, you should invest in a rich night-time cream such as the Antipodes Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream. Containing good bacteria, plant-based hyaluronic acid and water-rich New Zealand extracts, this evening moisturiser is made to calm, clear and hydrate your skin overnight. With Kalibiome AGE Probiotic, a high-performing innovative compound, this moisturiser helps to strengthen the skin barrier and contribute to increased skin elasticity and hydration, while simultaneously reducing roughness and redness.

During the day, a lightweight moisturiser that will lie well under your SPF and any make-up is ideal. This Weleda Skin Food Nourishing Day Cream is specially formulated to intensively nourish dry skin and restore radiance. Made with expertly blended botanical extracts of viola tricolour, organic calendula, chamomile and antioxidant-rich olive leaf extract, this moisturiser is known for its protective skin-soothing properties, making it perfect for sensitive skin. 

Alteya Organics Rose Otto Bio Damascena Face Sunscreen SPF 25 and Q+A Glycolic Acid Daily Toner 

For an everyday SPF, the Alteya Organics Sunscreen provides reliable sun protection with excellent anti-ageing benefits that leave your skin moist and glowing. Containing rosehip oil, aloe vera and other antioxidant-rich ingredients, this sunscreen provides broad spectrum SPF 25 and is free of harmful chemicals to keep your skin looking and feeling its best.

If you’re looking for an exfoliating toner that is suitable for sensitive skin, this Q+A Glycolic Acid Daily Toner contains a blend of super hydrating and brightening ingredients that help to balance moisture levels and renew your complexion. Containing glycolic acid, which is a naturally derived AHA, this toner provides gentle exfoliation to help remove impurities from the skin without damaging your skin barrier or causing irritation.

Nourish your skin with Planet Organic

Ready to give your sensitive skin the care it deserves? Explore our collection of organic, skin-loving products designed to soothe, nourish, and protect. Whether you’re updating your entire routine or looking for a single calming treatment, you’ll find everything you need to make your skin look and feel its best. Remember, when caring for sensitive skin, it’s best to introduce new products slowly into your routine, gradually working towards your desired regimen so that your skin has time to get used to each new ingredient, limiting potential damage to your barrier.