Integrating a serum into your daily routine can offer various benefits for your skin, like lessening the signs of aging or adding moisture. However, for sensitive skin, it's important to read the label and select a serum with gentle ingredients. Even ingredients derived from nature like essential oils might trigger allergic reactions, so take caution!
If you're not sure of what ingredients to look for or avoid, take a look at our buying guide! We also combed through reviews on Amazon to bring you the top 10 serums that are safe and effective for sensitive skin, including our top pick from Cosmedica Skincare, the Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum.
Quick List - Top Serums For Sensitive Skin
La Roche-Posay
Powerful Hydration and Skin Repair for All Skin Types
Dr. Levy is a board certified dermatologist practicing in NYC and Westport, Connecticut. She has expertise in treating inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. She has an interest in skincare and takes a personalized approach to all of her patients.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
In order to help you choose a serum that is safe for your sensitive skin, we compiled a list of crucial points to keep in mind. Just make sure that the product contains ingredients that nourish your skin without triggering any irritation.
Strong active ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids are useful in removing dead skin cells, but they might be too harsh on your skin and can actually lead to skin inflammation. Some chemicals might trigger skin irritation as well, so try to stay away from them!
Alcohols, such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, are used in cosmetics to help ingredients like retinol and vitamins penetrate into the skin more quickly. Alcohols also act as a preservative to prevent microbial growth.
However, those with sensitive skin should take caution when using a product containing alcohol. A high concentration of alcohol might break down your skin's natural protective barrier and lead to moisture loss, extreme dryness, and irritation.
Alcohol might also promote oil production and cause breakouts. If you do end up choosing a serum with alcohol, you might want to do a patch test first.
If you have rosacea or are prone to flushing and burning skin, then avoid serums with alcohol. Alcohol, while great at drying up oily skin, can be very irritating and cause major flares of rosacea in those who are prone.
Those with eczema or atopic dermatitis should also be careful with alcohol since maintaining a hydrated skin barrier is important in preventing outbreaks of eczema.
Whether the fragrance in your product is artificial or derived from natural extracts, it might still lead to skin irritation and redness. In fact, dermatologists stress that fragrance is the main reason behind cosmetic contact dermatitis.
While natural fragrance is generally considered to be safe, many people actually have allergic reactions due to naturally occurring ingredients, such as essential oils. So opt for a fragrance-free product or do a patch test before application!
If your skin is easily irritated, you shouldn't choose a serum with abrasive exfoliants like glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHAs). Despite being effective, they might be too strong for your skin to handle and might end up causing irritation.
Still, it's essential to eliminate all skin debris to get that glowing look! You might want to opt for gentle versions of exfoliants, like poly-hydroxy acids (PHAs). They provide the same benefits as AHAs, but work more slowly and are less likely to irritate the skin.
Serums with acids like glycolic acid may be too harsh for those with rosacea, eczema, or those on anti-aging or acne treatments like retinols or retinoids. This combination can lead to dry and irritated skin.
You may want to alternate the exfoliating serum with your retinol or retinoid. Another trick to prevent dryness is to use the exfoliating serum only a few times a week.
Parabens, such as methylparabens and propylparabens, are artificial preservatives used in cosmetics to prevent bacteria growth and to extend the shelf life of a product. However, for those with sensitive skin, eczema, or psoriasis, parabens might cause skin irritation.
Parabens might even lead to contact dermatitis, a type of skin inflammation that can cause your skin to become blistered and cracked. Sensitive skin is already prone to inflammation, so it's usually a good idea to steer clear of parabens unless you know your skin is okay with them!
Your sensitive skin needs a serum formulated with gentle ingredients that can supply nourishment without causing any irritation. So look out for soothing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamins, or aloe vera!
A strong, protective skin barrier is the key to glowing skin. However, irritated skin is often prone to moisture loss, causing the skin barrier to tense up and become dry or damaged.
Therefore, moisturizing regularly is one of the must-do things to help strengthen and restore your skin's protective barrier. Some of the best moisturizing ingredients that won't suffocate your skin include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and squalene.
On the other hand, be aware of comedogenic ingredients such as coconut oil! This well-loved moisturizer is packed with fatty acids and antioxidants to improve your complexion. Yet, it might block your pores, cause acne breakouts, or trigger skin inflammation.
Instead, you can opt for jojoba oil, an ultra-hydrating option that actually resembles our own natural sebum and is compatible with all skin types. Aloe vera and chamomile are two other natural ingredients that can keep your skin hydrated throughout the day without causing inflammation.
A hyaluronic acid-based serum is one of my favorites for all skin types, especially those with dry or sensitive skin. These serums are gentle enough to be used daily and can provide extra hydration.
I like to combine them with an emollient-based moisturizer to really accelerate skin hydration, especially in the summer months. Moisturizing serums are a great way to keep your skin hydrated in the summer or humid months since they are often lighter than thicker creams.
If you are suffering from redness, itchiness, or skin inflammation, look for ingredients with strong anti-inflammatory properties. Good examples include chamomile oil, aloe vera, green tea extract, and licorice extract. Those ingredients all contain components that can restrain inflammation and soothe your skin while calming irritation or redness.
Serums with niacinamide and vitamin C are great for helping with rosacea and skin inflammation. You can add these serums to any prescription acne or rosacea medication that you may be using.
Antioxidants are necessary to enhance the protection of sensitive skin against free radical damage. Plus, they help make wrinkles, fine lines, or acne scars less visible. Furthermore, sensitive skin is particularly prone to inflammation, a process that can hinder the natural rejuvenation process of the skin.
By integrating antioxidants into your skincare routine, you're facilitating the natural skin repairing process. Some antioxidants that can reduce inflammation while allowing skin to rejuvenate itself include vitamin C, retinol, vitamin E, or coenzyme Q10.
These ingredients are effective in stimulating collagen production, improving the elasticity and texture of your skin as well.
Antioxidant serums are very important in the skincare routine and should be used in the morning. Many of them are gentle enough to be used every day. Vitamin C serum can be used daily and can help with fine lines and wrinkles and provide extra UV protection from the sun (when combined with daily SPF, of course). Serums with Vitamin C can also help with hyperpigmentation or discoloration.
When you have sensitive skin, it's a struggle to find a product that works. Particularly, the various scientific terms in the ingredient list might be confusing. What are they? Will they irritate your sensitive skin?
In that case, picking a product labeled "hypoallergenic" might help. Although the FDA has not established a clear definition for the term, hypoallergenic products are often formulated with fewer allergens and without sulfates, alcohols, or fragrances. So they are generally safer for sensitive skin!
To be extra careful with hypoallergenic products, you could also look for those labeled as "dermatologist-recommended for sensitive skin." Products bearing that label are usually studied and tested to be safe and effective for your skin. However, there's no easy, one-size-fits-all solution for sensitive skin. It's always good to take extra caution when choosing a product!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cosmedica Skincare Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum | ![]() | Hydrating and Anti-Aging Serum for All Skin Types | |
2 | InstaNatural Niacinamide Serum | ![]() | Niacinamide Serum to Fight Breakouts and Hyperpigmentation | |
3 | La Roche-Posay La Roche Posay|Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum | ![]() | Powerful Hydration and Skin Repair for All Skin Types | |
4 | CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum | ![]() | Brighten Your Complexion with Potent Antioxidant Power | |
5 | Vichy Laboratoires Mineral 89 | ![]() | Dermatologist-Tested Formula Suitable for Extremely Sensitive Skin | |
6 | Physicians Formula Rosé All Day Serum | ![]() | Hypoallergenic, Oil-Free Serum Infused With Soothing Rose Water | |
7 | Tree to Tub Ginseng Green Tea Night Power Repair Serum | ![]() | Organic Healing Botanicals Are Gentle on Sensitive Skin | |
8 | Candid Essentials Vitamin C Serum | ![]() | Organic, Concentrated Serum That Repairs the Effects of Sun Damage | |
9 | Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% | ![]() | A Simple Formula With Skin-Safe Ingredients | |
10 | Dr. Wade's Organics 5-in-1 Acne Rosacea Serum | ![]() | 100% Natural Ingredients to Eliminate Redness and Calm Irritation |
Cosmedica Skincare Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a versatile and effective serum designed to provide deep hydration and anti-aging benefits for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin. Utilizing sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid, this serum retains moisture to keep skin plump, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and enhance elasticity. It also includes benzyl alcohol DHA as a preservative to ensure product stability and longevity. This serum is unscented, vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free, aligning with clean and ethical beauty standards.
The lightweight formula absorbs quickly, making it suitable for use both morning and night as part of your skincare routine. It helps to improve skin texture, reduce roughness, and even out skin tone while strengthening the skin barrier to protect against environmental damage. Clinically tested and dermatologist-reviewed, it is hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin. Ideal for layering with other skincare products, it enhances the skin's moisture balance, revealing a brighter and healthier complexion.
Infused with vitamin B5, this serum is loaded with natural, soothing properties that reduce irritation and redness. The addition of vitamin E, avocado oil, and rosemary extract further nourishes your skin.
This product also contains only clean ingredients without any harmful chemicals or unsafe preservatives! Reviewers with sensitive skin and those who suffer from issues such as breakouts, irritation, redness, or hyperpigmentation were impressed that the product truly improved the condition of their skin.
On the other hand, some reviewers said that the product felt quite sticky during application. Still others said that the serum absorbed quickly into their skin.
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum combines concentrated hyaluronic acid, madecassoside, and vitamin B5 to provide intense hydration and plumpness to the skin while repairing the natural moisture barrier. This formula is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and helps to address fine lines, loss of volume, elasticity, and dehydration. The serum's rich texture absorbs easily, leaving the skin feeling supple and hydrated, without any greasy residue.
The serum includes two types of hyaluronic acid: high molecular weight to moisturize the skin's surface and low molecular weight to penetrate deeper layers, enhancing plumpness and smoothness. Madecassoside, derived from Centella Asiatica, aids in skin repair and soothing, while vitamin B5 supports hydration and skin barrier function. Allergy-tested and non-comedogenic, this serum can be used alone or as a booster to a moisturizer, making it a versatile addition to any skincare routine.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum is a dermatologist-developed formula designed to brighten and even out skin tone. The serum features 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), a potent antioxidant that helps defend against free radicals, improve the appearance of fine lines, dark spots, and uneven skin tone, and deliver visible skin-brightening benefits. Suitable for all skin types, this lightweight and non-comedogenic serum also includes three essential ceramides that help restore the skin's natural barrier, ensuring hydration and protection from external irritants.
In addition to vitamin C, the serum is formulated with hyaluronic acid to enhance skin hydration and vitamin B5 to soothe the skin. The inclusion of CeraVe's patented MVE technology ensures a continuous release of moisturizing ingredients for all-day hydration. Fragrance-free and paraben-free, this gentle serum is designed to be non-irritating, even for sensitive skin, and comes in protective packaging to prevent oxidation and maintain its effectiveness.
Enriched with volcanic water, this serum contains 15 essential minerals that help defend the skin from environmental aggressors and strengthen its protective barrier. This serum is also allergy tested to ensure safety and effectiveness for all types of skin, including sensitive skin.
Some reviewers complained that the serum felt a bit sticky during application. Some also noted that this serum might not provide enough moisturizing effects for extremely dry skin.
On the other hand, those with sensitive skin loved that the serum doesn't contain harsh chemicals. It actually made their skin look smoother and feel hydrated! Many reviewers further commented that the product had a lightweight texture that absorbed quickly into the skin.
This hypoallergenic, oil-free serum is infused with rose water to help soothe and keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. Furthermore, it's enriched with antioxidant-rich goji berry and kakadu plum to help tighten and brighten your skin for a glowing look!
Some reviewers complained that the dropper didn't work well, so getting the serum out was quite tough. Meanwhile, many reviewers commented that the product was fast-absorbing and left their skin feeling soft and smooth after application.
Reviewers also loved that the product didn't trigger any irritation and brightened their skin effectively.
Sensitive skin is hard to please! However, this serum is crafted with organic healing botanicals and contains no irritants or harsh chemicals. It can actually reduce blemishes while being gentle on the skin!
It's also formulated with new retinol which can promote cell turnover and rejuvenate your skin without causing irritation. The addition of ginseng and green tea extract brightens your skin's complexion and calms inflammation.
Many reviewers complimented that the product did not lead to any irritation and was able to make their skin look healthier and feel more hydrated. Reviewers also loved that the product contained sustainably-sourced and fairly-traded ingredients. Others further noted that the product absorbed quickly into the skin without leaving any greasy residue behind.
This serum is powered with vitamin C to help improve the elasticity of your skin, retain moisture, and promote collagen production. The formula also helps neutralize the effects of free radicals and repair cell damage to give you healthy, bright, and radiant skin!
Some reviewers were disappointed that the product had a watery consistency and didn't absorb well into the skin. Meanwhile, many reviewers said that the product helped to tighten and rejuvenate their skin. Many others added that the product reduced their fine lines and gave their skin a natural glow.
This anti-aging face serum is made with pure 12% niacinamide and 2% zinc to even out your skin tone, shrink pores, and improve your overall skin condition. The concentrated formula also helps balance the moisture and oil levels in your skin.
Plus, the formula has a balanced pH level, ranging from 5 to 5.6, to improve the health of your skin and ensure the potency of the product. Furthermore, the product is made without parabens, fragrance, and non-toxic ingredients.
Some reviewers complained that the applicator didn't work well and that it left behind a sticky residue. On the other hand, many reviewers liked that the serum helped fight the aging process and gave their skin a smooth, glowing look. Also, those with skin issues, such as breakouts or rosacea, said that the product didn't harm their skin and actually calmed their skin irritation.
Containing 100% natural ingredients, such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E, this serum helps repair the skin's protective barrier and soothe redness or irritation. The addition of tea tree and tamanu oil helps remove dead skin cells and eliminate inflamed acne.
Many reviewers mentioned that the serum was effective in soothing skin irritation and reducing acne or dark spots. Those with sensitive skin also said that the product kept their skin hydrated without causing allergic reactions. Plus, they liked that it absorbs quickly!
Dr. Levy says, "Many patients with sensitive skin have trouble tolerating the very important anti-aging ingredient retinol. Retinol serums seem to be well-tolerated for those with dry or irritated skin because they are more hydrating.
Try using a retinol serum a few times a week to start and slowly increasing to nightly use if you still want the antiaging benefits of a retinol but are sensitive to creams or other formulations. You can use a moisturizer on top of the serum as well to help with any dryness or irritation."
No matter what skin type you have, there are plenty of face masks out there to help nourish and improve the condition of your skin. So check out our suggestions and treat yourself to some more skincare!
No. 1: Cosmedica Skincare|Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
No. 2: InstaNatural|Niacinamide Serum
No. 3: La Roche-Posay|La Roche Posay|Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
No. 4: CeraVe |Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
No. 5: Vichy Laboratoires |Mineral 89
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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