I have to admit, I've learned a few beauty lessons the hard way. Don't cut your own hair (I cringe just thinking about my failed side bangs); don't apply pure coconut oil to your face (it's comedogenic AF); and just because a product is expensive doesn't mean that it's more effective. Case in point: I recently received a luxuriously packaged, beautifully fragrant serum. Fragrance is usually a no-no for my sensitive complexion, but I put my skepticism aside and smoothed it on anyway, thinking the $500+ formula would give me an angelic, otherworldly glow. But it did me so wrong! I was instead met with irritation and bumps after only a couple of days.
I've accepted that trial and error is part of being a sensitive-skin girlie, and thankfully, I can always reach for Cetaphil when I need to soothe irritation, quench my dry skin, or just keep my pores in check. I've been using this brand since I was a kid, so I have a lot of favorite products, but right now, I love using the new Advanced Defense Serum ($20) in the morning and Repair & Renew Serum ($20) at night. This cute little duo not only calmed my skin after my expensive mistake, but it also gave me a much-needed hit of hydration and radiance, and basically deleted my pores too. Keep scrolling to shop my top picks to create your own sensitive-skin regimen.
Step 1: Cleanse
IMO, there's nothing better than a rich oil cleanser to remove makeup and SPF. I follow it up with the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($12) to get a clean, soft canvas for the rest of my routine. If you have acne-prone skin, I recommend the Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser ($13).
Step 2: Target
Time for my favorite part! These targeted serums will be the most transformative step in your routine. The Advanced Defense Serum includes hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, niacinamide for that glassy poreless effect, and a powerful antioxidant complex called Gallic‑AOX. This is a winning combo of gallic acid and vitamin E that helps protect against free radicals and oxidative stress. The Repair and Renew Serum has the same hyaluronic acid and Gallic‑AOX formulation, but with the addition of soothing centella asiatica and vitamin B5 to strengthen the skin barrier and repair the skin overnight.
Step 3: Moisturize
A hydrating moisturizer locks in all the benefits of your serums. I've been using the Daily Facial Moisturizer ($15) for years. After I shower, I smooth the Moisturizing Lotion ($13) and Moisturizing Cream ($16) all over my body—they make my skin feel softer than any other product I've used!
