As a beauty editor, I know firsthand how tricky it can be to find products that work with sensitive skin. You see, I have always had eczema-prone skin that is particularly reactive around this time of year (hello, hayfever season) as well as rosacea. So I’m always looking for products to help soothe and conceal skin redness when my complexion flares.
Clinique is one brand I’ve long trusted for my reactive skin. All of the formulas are 100% fragrance free and allergy tested, thanks to rigorous clinical and consumer testing. "Every single product is tested on 1700 people. If there's one allergic reaction, it has to be reformulated to be a Clinique product," says Marie Troughton, medical community manager and clinical services and advanced diagnostic manager for the brand. So whether I’m using its skincare or makeup, I can put my full trust in it and recommend it to those with even the most sensitive skin.
Growing up, it was one of the first beauty brands I trusted. My mum is allergic to most lipsticks and eye shadows, so Clinique has long been a firm favourite in our makeup bags and skincare routines for our sensitive complexions. According to research from Clinique, 71% of adults are affected by sensitive skin, whether due to genetics*, allergies, hormonal changes, lifestyle, environment or overuse of skincare actives. So, more than ever, many of us require skincare products that work on sensitive skin.
Right now, my skin has been more reactive than usual, and whether it's sensitised from testing too many products, overdoing it with harsh actives or just experiencing an occasional flare-up, I like to keep my products streamlined, and I've made space for Clinique's new Daily Calm skincare and makeup range, which has been specially designed for the most sensitive of skin. Scroll on for the routine I follow when my complexion requires extra care.
This concise edit of four products—including a cleanser, moisturiser, foundation and cheek and lip balm—has been created with the most sensitive of skin in mind. Clinique developed the line in accordance with the Burden of Sensitive Skin (BoSS) Survey (a globally recognised survey used by clinicians which assesses the impact of chronically sensitive skin on an individual's quality of life), meaning that each product is safe to use on even clinically assessed very sensitive skin types. Plus, everything in the line contains Uniflavon™, an expert blend containing flavonoid known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties is unique to Clinique, praised for its ability to immediately calm the skin and soothe prolonged irritation by repairing the skin barrier. So, you get both immediate and long-term results, making it a really hard-working ingredient in your routine.
Any dermatologist will tell you that when your skin is sensitised or reactive, the best thing you can do is to pare back your entire skincare routine. Clinique’s Daily Calm range makes it easy, with two skincare products designed to calm a compromised skin barrier. The first step in my routine is the Daily Calm Cleanser. This cream cleanser has a luxurious, melting texture that feels like a sigh of relief for your skin after a long day. It's immediately calming and soothing on contact.
As well as the signature Uniflavon™ blend, it also contains magnolia extract, hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Helping skin feel instantly soothed, calm and deeply moisturised. What I love is that this cleanser doesn't need to be rinsed away. You can tissue (or cotton pad) it off, so your face never feels stripped from rinsing with water, and it leaves your skin feeling softened and soothed. It also doesn't irritate or sting my sensitive eyes, either. Come evening, I'll use this as my second cleanse after removing my makeup, which leaves my skin feeling much calmer and less red.
After cleansing, I'll then apply Clinique's Daily Calm Soothing Repair Cream. Anyone with sensitive skin knows that most products for our skin type feel very clinical, but this is a moisturiser I want on my face. As with the cleanser, you'll find Uniflavon™ and magnolia extract in the moisturiser too, alongside hydrating hyaluronic acid and a trio of lipids, including ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol. Together, they calm and strengthen the skin barrier, helping to prevent future sensitivity too. A clinical test showed that Daily Calm Soothing Repair Cream repaired the skin barrier, reduced irritation and improved redness, radiance and texture after just one use. And when you have sensitive skin, that instant relief is very much welcome.
I've tried tonnes of moisturisers over my decade as a beauty editor, but few are as buttery and sumptuous as this one. This rich texture melts into the skin and instantly feels comforting when my face is inflamed, leaving my complexion feeling coccooned and comfortable with a healthy glow. (This is especially appreciated as I'm often testing in-clinic treatments, so I love that the range can also be used the day after procedures such as IPL.) However, despite its rich texture, it also sinks in fast into a non-greasy finish, so I can happily follow up with my SPF and makeup after a minute or two. This moisturiser works really well as an eye cream alternative too, as it's ophthalmologist-tested. safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
When you have sensitive skin, you’ll know exactly how tricky it can be to find makeup that doesn’t aggravate your skin further or latch onto and exacerbate dry patches. Thankfully, Clinique created the Daily Calm Foundation Balm with sensitive skin in mind, so you can still wear makeup even when your complexion is irritated. Coming in eight sheer, "stretchable" shades, this silky balm melts into the skin to disguise redness without feeling mask-like. It has the sheer yet buildable consistency of a skin tint, so you can layer it just where it's needed, and you're left with a naturally radiant glow that never looks or feels heavy. It works magically with your fingertips, which I love, as sometimes even makeup brushes can feel prickly on sensitised skin.
At the moment, I have a couple of patches of eczema on my cheek, and this lightweight balm effortlessly glides over the dryness without highlighting it further. However, it also works seamlessly over the oilier areas of my skin and is non-comedogenic, making it great for breakout-prone complexions, too. And, yep, you'll find the same Uniflavon™ and magnolia-extract blend as in the skincare, so you can reap the calming benefits whilst wearing makeup. Can we take a moment for the chic pebble packaging? I'm keeping it out on my bathroom shelf.
Lastly, I reach for the Daily Calm Lip & Cheek Balm to add a hint of colour. This multi-use balm can be used on the cheeks as a blush tint, and also on the lips as a gloss, so it's a great one to throw in your bag for touch-ups on the go. The Uniflavon™ blend and magnolia extract are in here too, making it nourishing and soothing on dry lips and cheeks. It melts in beautifully on top of the Foundation Balm, and it's easily layered up for more pigment. I love how dewy it leaves my cheeks.
There are four shades (from sheer pink to rich berry) to choose from, all of which are great for adding a touch of colour, even on days when my skin is flaring or when I want to go for a "no makeup" makeup look. My personal favourites are Sweet Nectar and Soft Berry (which I'm wearing above), and you'll now always find them in my makeup bag in place of my lip balm and blusher (we love a space-saver!). I've previously felt the need to avoid makeup during skin flares, but I love that this range allows me to add a touch of dewy coverage and colour without compromising my skin, so I can face the day feeling calm and collected.
*Based on a survey of approximately 7,000 adults who self-report as having sensitive skin or related concerns across seven countries (United States, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, China, Japan, and Australia), conducted December 2025-January 2026. Results weighted to account for the population size of each country.
