How can you maintain the balance of sensitive skin and minimise redness?

Simplify your routine : opt for a few well-tolerated products rather than layering active ingredients. Avoid overstimulation : limit the use of strong exfoliants, irritating active ingredients, allergens and fragranced formulas. Limit your exposure to hot water : opt for lukewarm water and gently pat your skin dry without rubbing. Protect your skin from the sun : check the UV index, dress appropriately for protection and apply sun cream if necessary. Opt for a consistent skincare routine : choose products from the same range, formulated and tested together for sensitive skin, to ensure better overall tolerance. Less but better : consistency and gentleness in your skincare routine are the keys to soothed and lastingly strengthened skin.

How can you soothe skin prone to atopic conditions?

Skin prone to atopic conditions is weakened by a compromised skin barrier, leading to dryness, irritation and itching. Eczema, which is often associated with this condition, causes red patches, flaking and discomfort. To soothe all these signs of discomfort, a targeted routine combining hydration, nourishment and protection is essential. : soothing and restorative. Rich in natural ceramides and essential fatty acids, oat oil is a valuable ally for skin prone to atopic conditions. It strengthens the skin barrier, limits water loss and alleviates feelings of tightness. Its soothing action helps to reduce redness and itching. : a friend to skin prone to atopic conditions. Renowned for its antibacterial properties, Chaulmoogra oil helps to soothe the skin during eczema flare-ups. Its high fatty acid content helps to alleviate signs of discomfort. It is applied topically, either undiluted or diluted in a neutral skincare product, by gently massaging it into the affected areas. : Formulated for dry and atopic-prone skin, this highly nourishing balm combines oat oil with lipid-replenishing ceramides. It forms a protective film on the skin, limiting dehydration and shielding against external aggressors. Its creamy texture quickly soothes feelings of discomfort and restores the skin’s balance. It should be applied daily, after showering, to the body and can also be used on the face. Its formula is suitable for use from birth. In everyday life, certain habits can also make a difference: prioritise your sleep and take regular exercise to combat a sedentary lifestyle. Take care not to overheat your home: keep the bedroom at a maximum of 19°C. Avoid wearing woollen garments in direct contact with the skin and opt for cotton instead.

How can you soothe itching and irritation?

To soothe itching, it is essential to restore the skin’s lipid barrier. The helps to support this natural protective function through a synergy of targeted active ingredients. Ceramides, which act as intercellular ‘cement’, help to strengthen the cohesion of the epidermis, maintain hydration and improve the skin’s resistance to environmental stressors. Oat oil is renowned for its soothing, emollient and lipid-replenishing properties. In a skincare formula, it soothes feelings of discomfort, reduces redness and intensely nourishes dry or atopic-prone skin. The result? Better-protected, less reactive and visibly soothed skin, right from the very first applications.

How can you apply make-up to reactive skin to even out the complexion?

Opt for very light make-up to even out your complexion and conceal any redness without irritating the skin barrier. Choose simple, high-tolerance formulas suitable for reactive skin. Opt for skincare-infused make-up formulas that are alcohol- and fragrance-free. To neutralise redness, you can use a green concealer from time to time (which visually neutralises red). Apply your skincare products gently, without stretching the skin excessively. If necessary, to set your make-up, choose a fine compact powder enriched with moisturising active ingredients and suitable for sensitive skin, such as the , applied very lightly. Finally, avoid building up layers of make-up as much as possible, and avoid applying it too vigorously, as this stimulates microcirculation and accentuates redness.

Which ingredients should you avoid if you have reactive skin?

Reactive skin has a weakened skin barrier and a lower tolerance threshold. Certain ingredients can exacerbate inflammation or further disrupt this barrier. When choosing skincare products, be sure to avoid: Irritating surfactants : these are cleansing agents. Some, such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), can be overly irritating, disrupt the hydrolipidic film and increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL) Synthetic fragrances : as the leading causes of skin sensitisation, they can trigger redness, stinging and inflammatory reactions Alcohol (particularly denatured alcohol in high concentrations): this can weaken the skin barrier in the long term by increasing dehydration Exfoliating acids (chemical peels ): AHAs, BHAs or PHAs, particularly in high concentrations. Whilst they stimulate cell renewal, they can be too harsh for reactive skin Certain irritating preservatives known for their sensitising potential. We recommend choosing fragrance-free, denatured alcohol-free formulas that are rich in soothing active ingredients (oats, prebiotics, ceramides, vitamin B12, calendula, bisabolol), with a short and clear INCI list.

What are the factors that aggravate reactive skin?

Sensitive skin reacts excessively to external factors that are usually well tolerated: fragrances, cosmetics, household products, as well as climatic changes such as wind, cold or heat. The exact role of pollution, which is often suspected, remains difficult to establish with precision. Endogenous causes such as , strong emotions or hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle have a significant impact on skin sensitivity and, of course, the skin may react to several of these factors at once. Stress increases sebum secretion and alters the epidermis’s protective hydrolipid film. It is during prolonged or chronic stress that morning cortisol secretion decreases, and the sensory fibres of the cutaneous nervous system located in the various layers of the epidermis undergo changes. Normally, these fibres enable the fine perception of sensory stimuli ranging from simple touch to acute pain. Chronic stress alters the skin’s perception of certain stimuli—which other people’s skin might regard as insignificant—and causes increased reactivity, not only in terms of pain but also the whole range of sensations associated with discomfort (itching, burning, tightness, etc.). Sometimes, skin sensitivity is part of the clinical picture of dermatological conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea or allergies, all of which are characterised by skin redness. We advise you to consult your dermatologist to establish an accurate diagnosis and put in place a treatment plan tailored to your situation.

A Soothing Routine for Sensitive Skin, Recommended by Our Experts

By The Aroma-Zone editorial team

Published on: Thursday, December 05, 2024, Updated on: Friday, October 09, 2026

Sensitive skin has a weakened skin barrier, leading to increased water loss and excessive reactivity (redness, tightness, itching).

It therefore needs to be intensely moisturised, but also replenished with lipids and protected to limit water evaporation and strengthen its resilience.

Approved by our dermatologist, this routine works on every level: it gently cleanses, soothes, deeply moisturises and restores the skin barrier to leave skin feeling more comfortable, soothed and strengthened.

Contents

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My 4-step routine

Step 1 – Cleansing my skin

Oat & Phytosterols Make-up Remover Balm

Enriched with biomimetic active ingredients and soothing oat oil, this cleansing balm removes make-up, deeply cleanses and soothes sensitive skin prone to redness. On contact with water, its enveloping texture transforms into a milky veil to remove make-up and impurities. For skin that is perfectly clean, clear and comfortable.

Recommended use: Place a small amount of make-up remover balm in the palm of your hand and warm the product between your hands. Apply to dry skin on the face, lips and eyes, massaging gently in circular motions. Add a little water and massage again; the balm emulsifies and transforms into a milky texture.

Step 2 – Identifying my skin concern

Concentrated Vitamin B12 & Prebiotics Serum

Its prebiotic complex maintains the balance of the skin’s microbiome and strengthens the skin barrier. A synergy of Vitamin B12, NP Ceramides and Barley Polypeptides with soothing, anti-redness and restorative properties targets the main concerns of sensitive, reactive and damaged skin.

Recommended use: Apply a few drops to the face and neck before your usual cream.

Step 3 – Moisturising my skin

Hyaluronic Acid & Polyglutamic Acid Cream

A formula combining hyaluronic acid of various molecular weights and polyglutamic acid, capable of retaining 5,000 times its weight in water for intense hydration. Ideal for protecting the skin barrier of sensitive skin and providing long-lasting hydration.

Recommended use: morning and/or evening; apply to the entire face and neck.

Dietary_supplements_Probiotics_Balance_&_skin_beauty

Step 4 – Taking action from within

Probiotics: Skin Balance & Beauty

A formula specially developed to promote healthy skin balance. Thanks to its beneficial effects on the gut microbiota, it acts on the gut-skin axis and helps improve skin quality.

Recommended use: 1 capsule per day, to be swallowed with a glass of water.

The soothing evening boost

Soothing Ceramide & Phytosterol Oil Serum

The oil-based texture is ideal for use in the evening, when the skin repairs itself and absorbs lipids more effectively.

This light, silky oil, with its high-tolerance formula, has been developed to immediately soothe reactive and sensitive skin. This treatment nourishes, restores and strengthens the skin barrier whilst providing a great deal of comfort to skin prone to tightness.

Recommended use: Apply in the evening to cleansed skin, after the Vitamin B12 & Prebiotics serum. Its deeply soothing, oil-based texture leaves the skin supple and feeling very comfortable, without the need to follow up with a cream.

Discover the Soothing Ceramides & Phytosterols Oil Serum

A word from the experts

Dr Dima HAIDAR, Dermatologist

"Prebiotics boost the presence of the ‘good microbes’ naturally found on the surface of our skin. By supporting this ecosystem, they improve the skin’s natural defences and reduce inflammation and dehydration. They are therefore particularly beneficial for sensitive, reactive, redness-prone or atopic skin. They can very easily be incorporated into your routine, in the morning and/or evening, alongside a suitable moisturiser."

Dr Valerie ESPINASSE, Micronutritionist

"Essential fatty acids (omega-3, omega-6, particularly linoleic acid) are components of cell membranes and play a role in the formation of the hydrolipidic film. They contribute to the suppleness and cohesion of the skin barrier, helping to prevent dryness and dehydration."

Emilie Ondet, Naturopath and Engineer specialising in biochemistry and natural active ingredients

Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet: “Diet is a key factor in supporting skin health and providing relief for atopic skin. It has been established that a diet rich in plant-based foods, fibre, probiotics (yoghurts, fermented drinks and foods), omega-3, antioxidants and protein preserves the integrity of the gut barrier and, consequently, the skin’s barrier function. The Mediterranean diet has been the most extensively studied in this regard. Conversely, pro-inflammatory diets, based on ultra-processed foods, saturated fats and refined sugars, weaken the gut barrier, promoting systemic inflammation which in turn weakens the skin microbiome."