How to Treat Sensitive Skin: The Best Dos and Don’ts to Relieve Irritation
How to treat sensitive skin: Sensitive skin can feel like a never-ending guessing game. One minute it’s calm, the next it’s red, itchy, or burning — often without warning. If you’ve ever stood in the skincare aisle confused about what not to put on your face, you’re not alone.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how to treat sensitive skin — starting with the do’s and don’ts you need to know, along with expert-backed reasons behind each one. We’ve also included helpful images to guide you and explained how snail mucin, a gentle and powerful ingredient, can play a big role in soothing and protecting your skin.
🟢 DO: Use gentle, fragrance-free products
Fragrance might make your cream smell nice, but it’s one of the top irritants for sensitive skin.
Why this matters:
Fragrance and essential oils can trigger allergic reactions and inflammation. Even “natural” scents like lavender or citrus can cause burning and redness. Instead, go for fragrance-free labels and hypoallergenic formulas designed specifically for sensitive skin.
💡Look for: “Fragrance-free,” “non-comedogenic,” “allergy-tested,” or “dermatologist recommended.”
🟢 DO: Moisturise regularly (and immediately after cleansing)
Your skin barrier needs hydration to function well.
Why this matters:
When the skin barrier is compromised, it’s more likely to let irritants in and moisture out. This leads to dryness, flakiness, and itchiness. Applying a gentle moisturiser directly after washing locks in hydration and protects the skin.
🧴Best moisturisers for sensitive skin include ingredients like:
- Ceramides
- Snail mucin – which helps retain moisture, boosts collagen, and soothes irritation
- Hyaluronic acid
- Colloidal oatmeal
🟢 DO: Apply sunscreen daily – even when it’s cloudy
UV rays don’t take a day off, and neither should your sun protection.
Why this matters:
Sensitive skin is more vulnerable to UV damage. Sun exposure not only triggers flare-ups but can lead to long-term issues like hyperpigmentation or rosacea. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and reapply every 2 hours when outdoors.
🧴Pro tip: Use a mineral (physical) sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. It’s gentler than chemical filters.
🟢 DO: Patch test every new product
Your skin’s reaction may not be immediate — and that’s the risk.
Why this matters:
Patch testing allows you to catch potential allergens or irritants before applying them all over your face or body. Dab a small amount on the inside of your elbow or behind your ear. Wait 24–48 hours before assessing the area.
🟢 DO: Use soothing ingredients like snail mucin, aloe, and chamomile
Sensitive skin responds well to calming ingredients that reduce inflammation.
Why this matters:
Snail mucin is rich in glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants, making it an excellent choice for hydration and repair without the sting. It’s especially good for those with eczema-prone or rosacea-sensitive skin.
✨Other helpful ingredients:
- Aloe vera: Anti-inflammatory and cooling
- Chamomile extract: Reduces redness
- Panthenol (Vitamin B5): Supports barrier repair
🧴Try Bragan Skincare’s Atopic Cream, designed specifically for delicate and reactive skin, using snail mucin to hydrate and heal.
🟢 DO: Choose lukewarm water when washing your face
Hot water strips your skin. Full stop.
Why this matters:
High temperatures weaken the lipid barrier and increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL). That dry, tight feeling after a hot shower? That’s your skin barrier crying for help. Stick to lukewarm water and pat — don’t rub — your face dry with a soft towel.
📸 Image idea: A close-up of a face being gently patted with a clean towel.
🟢 DO: Keep your skincare routine simple
Less really is more for sensitive skin.
Why this matters:
Using too many products — or changing them too often — overwhelms the skin. Stick to a basic routine:
- Gentle cleanser
- Moisturiser (with soothing actives like snail mucin)
- Sunscreen (AM only)
Once your skin is calm, you can slowly introduce extras if needed.
🚫 DON’T: Use products with alcohol, artificial colours, or exfoliating acids daily
Many popular skincare ingredients can actually make sensitive skin worse.
Why this matters:
Alcohol (especially denatured alcohol), artificial colours, and strong acids (like glycolic or salicylic acid) can irritate and dehydrate the skin. Avoid these unless recommended by a professional.
👎 Watch out for:
- Ethanol or SD alcohol
- Fragrance/parfum
- Brightly coloured products (often synthetic dyes)
- Harsh toners and peels
🚫 DON’T: Over-exfoliate
Scrubs, acids, and enzymes can do more harm than good.
Why this matters:
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, but overdoing it can strip your protective layer. For sensitive skin, limit exfoliation to once a week and choose gentle options.
👍 Instead, try:
- Lactic acid (low concentration)
- A soft konjac sponge
- Enzyme masks (like papaya or pumpkin)
🧴Or skip exfoliation altogether during flare-ups and just focus on moisturising.
🚫 DON’T: Sleep in your makeup
Even “skin-safe” makeup needs to come off before bed.
Why this matters:
Makeup clogs pores and prevents skin from breathing or repairing itself overnight. Use a fragrance-free micellar water or an oil cleanser followed by a gentle face wash.
📸 Image idea: A hand holding reusable cotton rounds with a gentle micellar water bottle.
🚫 DON’T: Ignore persistent irritation
If your symptoms don’t improve — it’s time to ask for help.
Why this matters:
Chronic irritation could signal contact dermatitis, eczema, or rosacea. You may need a patch test or medicated cream. Ignoring these signs can worsen inflammation and lead to long-term skin sensitivity.
👩⚕️See a dermatologist if:
- Redness or stinging lasts more than a week
- You develop flaky, itchy patches
- Over-the-counter products don’t help
🚫 DON’T: Let stress rule your skin
Sensitive skin and stress go hand in hand.
Why this matters:
Stress triggers hormonal responses that can weaken your skin barrier, increase inflammation, and slow healing. Incorporate stress-relieving habits into your routine.
🧘♀️Try:
- Short daily walks
- Mindfulness or breathing exercises
- A calming skincare ritual at night
🌿 Bragan Skincare Tip: Build a Skin-Soothing Ritual
How to treat sensitive skin: Sensitive skin thrives on calm, consistent care. Try this soothing evening routine:
- Cleanse with a non-foaming gentle cleanser
- Apply Bragan Skincare’s Atopic Cream — rich in snail mucin and perfect for dry, irritated patches
- Mist with thermal water or aloe-based toner
- Finish with a hydrating barrier balm if needed
✅ Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
| DO | DON’T |
|---|---|
| Use fragrance-free products | Use harsh exfoliants or acids daily |
| Moisturise morning and night | Rub skin with towels or loofahs |
| Wear mineral SPF 30+ | Expose skin to direct sun without protection |
| Try snail mucin and aloe | Apply new products without a patch test |
| Patch test new items | Sleep in makeup |
| Stick to a basic 3-step routine | Use hot water |
| Choose lukewarm, short showers | Keep using products that sting or burn |
📸 Final Image Suggestion
🔚 Final Thoughts: Treating Sensitive Skin is About Consistency, Not Complexity
If you’re wondering how to treat sensitive skin, the answer lies in gentle routines, smart ingredients like snail mucin, and avoiding common triggers. With time, patience, and the right products, you can calm the irritation, rebuild your skin’s defences, and feel confident in your skin again.
For more skin-soothing inspiration, check out Bragan Skincare’s full collection of gentle, fragrance-free products.
