Which ingredients are best for sensitive skin?
Understand which ingredients are most likely to trigger reactions in sensitive skin, and which are well-tolerated. Evidence-backed ingredient profiles with concern scores and regulatory context.
Common questions
- What ingredients should sensitive skin avoid?
- Fragrance (parfum), alcohol denat, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and chemical exfoliants at high concentrations are common triggers for sensitive skin. Patch testing is always recommended.
- Is niacinamide good for sensitive skin?
- Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is generally well-tolerated by sensitive skin and can help strengthen the skin barrier. At concentrations above 10%, some users report flushing. Start lower and build up.
- What does fragrance-free mean on a product label?
- Fragrance-free means no fragrance compounds have been added. "Unscented" products may still contain masking fragrances. Look for fragrance-free if you have contact dermatitis or reactive skin.
Ingredients in this guide
Butylphenyl methylpropional
Critical concernCritical concern based on regulatory listings.
Limonene, (+)-
High concernHigh concern based on regulatory listings.
Linalool
High concernHigh concern based on regulatory listings.
Geraniol
High concernHigh concern based on regulatory listings.
Eugenol
High concernHigh concern based on regulatory listings.
Coumarin
High concernHigh concern based on regulatory listings.
Phenoxyethanol
Minor concernMinor concern based on regulatory listings.
DMDM hydantoin
Minor concernMinor concern based on regulatory listings.
Fragrance
Not assessedIn the catalog, but no published hazard evidence yet.
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