Riyaz says people with sensitive skin might reach for creamy cleansers, oils, or balms that contain mineral oil or petroleum to relieve any itchiness or flakiness. "Mineral oil will clog pores,
disrupt the barrier function of the skin, inhibit oxygenation and detoxification, and over time, make the skin dependent on it," he says.
And you'll also want to stay away from ingredients that are way too harsh. "Avoid sulfate (sodium lauryl sulfate), as this is one of the foaming ingredients in a face wash that can be quite irritating or sensitizing," says Anthony Rossi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who has a skincare line launching in 2022. "Also avoid microbeads or other physical exfoliators, as these would be too harsh for sensitive skin types. Avoid benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid washes."