If your skin tends to be on the sensitive side, putting on make-up can sometimes feel like a bit of a gamble. Redness, itching or that familiar tingle can make it tricky, but there’s no need to give up on make-up altogether.
With a little extra care and the right routine, you can still enjoy a smooth, comfortable finish that feels as good as it looks.
lRead on to learn how to apply and safely remove make-up from sensitive skin, along with our recommendations for natural make-up products your skin will love.
At a glance:
- Make-up irritation can lead to redness, itching, stinging, tingling, watery or sore eyes, dry patches, bumps and rashes
- Always patch test new make-up on a small area if you have sensitive skin
- Sensitive skin can react to make-up ingredients such as artificial fragrances, colourants, parabens, ethyl alcohol, bismuth oxychloride and harsh preservatives
- Best sensitive make-up primer: Scent Free Face & Neck Serum with Nordic Roots Marine Facial Oil
- Best sensitive eye make-up: Volumising Mascara - Black
- Best sensitive make-up remover: Scent Free Cleanser & Make-Up Remover
What are the signs my make-up is irritating my skin?
If you have sensitive skin, it will usually let you know quickly if a product isn’t right for you. Common signs of irritation include redness, itching, stinging, tingling, tightness or dry patches that usually appear soon after applying make-up.
Sometimes, small bumps or rashes might appear, or you’ll feel a burning, tingling sensation which can be a sign that your skin barrier is being disrupted. If you experience irritation, it’s best to remove the product from your skin straight away.
Always remember to patch test new products before use, as your skin’s tolerance can change over time and with the seasons. Learn how to patch test cosmetics.
What make-up ingredients should I avoid if I have sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin can react strongly to artificial fragrances, parabens, ethyl alcohol, bismuth oxychloride and harsh preservatives. Some people might also react to ingredients like gluten or lanolin in their make-up products too.
Make-up removers and wipes can also contain ingredients that can aggravate sensitive skin. These include those above, in particular drying ethyl alcohol (also called ethanol or alcohol denat.), but also sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), which is found in foaming cleansers. Read more about ingredients in skin care and allergies.
These ingredients can strip moisture, upset the natural skin microbiome, clog pores or trigger allergic reactions. That’s why we never use them - instead, we focus on natural, organic ingredients that are kind to all skin types.
How can I prep my sensitive skin before make-up?
Prepping your skin is really important, especially if you have sensitive skin. Our Scent Free range is made for ultra-sensitive skin - it’s organic, natural and unscented, with absolutely no fragrances or drying ethanol alcohol.
Start by cleansing your skin with our Scent Free Cleanser & Make-Up Remover. This gentle cleanser effectively removes impurities and make-up without stripping your skin of its natural moisture.
Scent Free Cleanser 150ml
This fragrance-free cleanser is a sensitive skin essential
£29.00
Next, calm and hydrate with our Scent Free Face & Neck Serum. Lightweight yet deeply nourishing, this fragrance-free serum helps reduce irritation and soothes delicate skin with hydrating Aloe Vera, balancing Prebiotics and soothing Marshmallow.
Scent Free Face & Neck Serum 50ml
This ultra-gentle serum is our go-to for skin-plump hydration.
£29.00
To lock in hydration and create a barrier upon which your make-up can sit, follow with a few drops of Nordic Roots Marine Facial Oil. Rich in Omega-3 and natural sea-derived ingredients like Atlantic Seaweed, this oil strengthens the skin barrier while providing a protective cushion under make-up.
Nordic Roots Marine Facial Oil 28ml
Nourish and glow with this unscented facial oil for sensitive skin
£32.00
4 make-up tips for sensitive skin
- Check ingredients. Cosmetics can contain synthetic chemicals that may trigger an allergy in sensitive skin. If you know you have an allergy to an ingredient be sure to carefully read the label to check for allergens like artificial fragrances, bismuth oxychloride, ethyl alcohol, silicone and parabens.
- Patch test. Our skin changes with age and with the seasons so new allergies may develop when you least expect it. To help avoid an unexpected reaction, try organic mineral make-up for sensitive skin and always patch test new products before applying them to the skin.
- Be quick to remove. If your skin experiences a reaction to a cosmetic you should stop using the product immediately. For further advice on what to do if your skin experiences a reaction be sure to read our guide to managing allergies in sensitive skin.
- Clean your brushes and replace old make-up. Keeping your make-up brushes and tools clean is also important, as dirt and bacteria can build up on them after use. It’s also important to keep an eye on the expiry dates of your make-up to make sure they’re still safe to use on your skin.
Are there any gentle make-up products I should try?
If you have sensitive skin, swap heavy foundations and skin-clogging ingredients for something lighter, natural and organic. Our Age Defy+ Tinted DD Moisturiser SPF 15 protects, hydrates and smooths, providing sheer coverage and helping to boost your skin’s natural collagen production.
Age Defy+ Tinted DD Moisturiser SPF 15 – Light 30ml
Hydrate, glow and protect with this ‘light’ tinted moisturiser with SPF.
£45.00
Also available in ‘medium’ shade.
For your eyes, our 98% natural, long-lasting mascara is water-repellent while still being suitable for sensitive eyes. It’s buildable, nourishing and coats lashes without clumping, but is still easy to remove without irritation.
Volumising Mascara - Black 7ml
Get gorgeous lashes day or night with this natural mascara in black. Great for sensitive eyes!
£22.50
What is the gentlest make-up remover for sensitive skin?
Taking your make-up off gently is important for sensitive skin. Dragging, pulling or picking at your skin to remove make-up can make it feel irritated, red and sore.
Face wipes and harsh make-up removers often contain alcohol and drying ingredients that can leave the skin feeling stripped and sore. Instead, choose our Scent Free Cleanser & Make-Up Remover to gently sweep away the day’s make-up.
Scent Free Cleanser 150ml
This fragrance-free cleanser is a sensitive skin essential
£29.00
Would you like help choosing the right make-up for sensitive skin? Our friendly UK customer care team is happy to help with any questions about ingredients and can be contacted on 01403 740350. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us on social @GreenPeopleUK.
If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to 'Sensitive skin and make-up: tips, tricks and safe products.' Please do not use an affiliate link.
REVIEWED BY CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
