The Best Skincare Products for Sensitive Skin? Here’s the Science

Is your sensitive skin getting in the way of your skincare goals? You want brighter, clearer skin but you’re scared to put anything new on your face? The good news is that science is on your side. Thanks to new developments in biotechnology, choosing the best skincare products for sensitive skin doesn’t have to be hard.

Why Your Sensitive Skin Needs Biotech

The secret to healthy skin is science, and current advances in biotechnology are taking sensitive skincare to a new level. That means ingredients that target specific skin concerns like dull skin, wrinkles, sun damage, and hyperpigmentation with pinpoint accuracy. 

The Biotechnology beauty revolution is fueled by scientific techniques that harness the power of biological (naturally occurring) processes and microorganisms to create skincare products. Biotech is how Mother Science was able to introduce their breakthrough active ingredient Malassezin to the market.

Mother Science products all contain Malassezin, an innovative molecule that’s a true breakthrough for sensitive skin. The good news is that you can achieve great results while still being kind to your sensitive skin. The Biotechnology behind innovative hero ingredients like Malassezin is opening up ways to address key beauty issues like fine lines, wrinkles, skin aging, and dark spots without causing skin reactivity. 

Shop Our Best-Selling Skincare Powered by Malassezin:

Molecular Hero Serum

Retinol Synergist

Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer

The 5 Major Signs You Have Sensitive Skin

Whether your skin type is dry, oily, or acne-prone, you can still experience skin reactivity. If your skin often reacts negatively to topical skincare products, or even environmental factors like heat, cold, and sunshine, it may mean you have sensitive skin. 

These are the main signs you may have sensitive skin:

▪️Redness and irritation 

▪️Dry and tight-feeling skin

▪️Flaking and peeling

▪️Stinging or burning sensations

▪️Heightened sun sensitivity

If you have sensitive skin it doesn’t mean that all skincare actives like antioxidants and retinoids are out of bounds. Here’s how to figure out which skincare products can work for your sensitive skin:

Can Sensitive Skin Use Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is a common hero ingredient in skincare aimed at brightening and evening skin tone. But, if you have sensitive skin, it can cause irritation, redness, and even skin purging. 

Purging looks a lot like breaking out and can be triggered on sensitive skin by actives like vitamin C, and retinoids that increase the rate of skin cell turnover. For powerful skincare results without the downside, Molecular Hero Serum offers an alternative to vitamin C – plus it repairs your skin’s protective layer (skin barrier).

Molecular Hero Serum

Can Sensitive Skin Use Retinol?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that is a line-smoothing, dark spot-reducing favorite in skincare because of its ability to speed your skin cell turnover. For many people with sensitive skin, retinol's coveted results can feel out of reach – dermatologists recommend avoiding retinol altogether if you have sensitive skin or using it with caution.

If you have sensitive skin, retinol can cause irritation from a process known as retinization. Retinization is the irritation, peeling, redness, and purging that can occur while your skin adjusts. Many of these effects are a result of damage caused to your skin barrier. The Malassezin in Retinol Synergist works synergistically with retinol to calm and support your skin barrier so that even sensitive skin types report almost no irritation.

Retinol Synergist

Sensitive Skin Needs a Healthy Skin Barrier

Your skin barrier is your skin’s protective layer that locks in moisture. A healthy skin barrier is key to smooth, hydrated, glowing skin. When you have sensitive skin, your skin barrier is often compromised, especially when you are using active skincare ingredients.

Here’s how Molecular Genesis moisturizer protects and repairs your skin barrier:

▪️Strengthens barrier cells at a molecular level

▪️Boosts lipid production for superior water retention

▪️Activates the skin's antioxidant defenses against the most damaging free radicals related to skin barrier breakdown

Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer is clinically proven to improve the skin barrier, and moisturize, smooth, and firm your skin in 4 weeks.

Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer

Molecular Discovery Set

The Best 4-Step Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin 

Finding an easy-to-follow skincare routine that you can be consistent with is always the best way to care for your sensitive skin. Everyone’s sensitive skin is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution out there, but here are some of the main things to consider when choosing skincare products.

Here’s why less-is-more is the best way to care for your sensitive skin:

▪️Keep it simple: using fewer products means less opportunity for your skin to react to any active ingredients. 

▪️Keep it safe: be sure to patch test any new product before introducing it into your skincare routine. Watch out for potential irritants like fragrances.

▪️Keep it gentle: use products that hydrate, balance, and support your skin barrier. 

It can be frustrating trying new products when you have sensitive skin, but a little patience can deliver big results. Just remember to only introduce one new product at a time to minimize any potential reactions.  

If you have sensitive skin, these are the four dermatologist-recommended steps you need in your daily skincare routine:

Step 1: Cleanse

The best cleansers for sensitive skin are mild and made without harsh chemicals, exfoliants, or fragrances that can cause dryness and irritation. 

✔️ Look for cream or gel cleansers for a good clean that won’t strip your skin's natural oils, causing dryness, or irritating reactive skin. 

✔️ Always rinse with lukewarm water as too hot water strips moisture from your skin and can weaken your skin barrier.

After cleansing, don’t rub your face dry with a towel. This can cause unnecessary irritation and friction. Gently pat dry instead.

Step 2: Apply Serum

Many serums utilize powerful active ingredients like retinol or salicylic acid at levels that can be too aggressive for sensitive skin. That’s why Mother Science uses Malassezin to create serums that address your particular skin goals while also being gentle. 

✔️ Look for effective but gentle ingredients like Malassezin in Molecular Hero Serum to address your concerns around brightness, tone, dark spots, or hyperpigmentation in a safe, non-irritating way. 

✔️ Start slowly and be consistent. With serums containing active ingredients to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage like Retinol Synergist, start with 2-3 times a week to give your skin time to get used to the product. 

Apply your serum on clean dry skin, avoiding your delicate eye area, and leave it for a few moments to absorb fully before moisturizing.

Step 3: Moisturize

An effective moisturizer is a vital step in your sensitive skincare routine because it helps lock in moisture. Plus it can strengthen and repair your skin's natural protective barrier. 

✔️ Look for ingredients that lock in moisture like squalane, hyaluronic acid, and Malassezin which support the natural moisturizing processes in your skin barrier.

✔️ Support your skin barrier with lipid-rich formulas that promote moisture retention and boost your skin’s natural protective layer. 

Combine your moisturizer with a blood-flow-boosting facial massage. Use your fingertips to massage your moisturizer with gentle circular motions until it is all absorbed.

Step 4: Apply Sun Protection

The final step in your daily skincare routine for sensitive skin should be a broad-spectrum sunscreen. 

✔️ Use a high-factor sunscreen (at least SPF 30) that has been patch-tested and does not irritate your sensitive skin. 

✔️ Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours and stock up on stylish sun hats to keep signs of sun damage at bay.

In general, people with sensitive skin should patch test for ingredients that may be irritating to sensitive skin.

 

Skin Renewal Set

Molecular Discovery Set

Achieving the Best Results for Sensitive Skin

We know consistent use delivers the best results from Mother Science Products. That’s why we offer curated skincare bundles and 10% off all subscription orders. We want the very best for you and your skin.

At Mother Science, we strive to make revolutionary products validated by science and clinical trials. We believe in our products, and we’re confident that you will love them too, but if you’re not completely satisfied, we offer free returns within 30 days of receiving your products.

Questions? Take a look at our FAQ page or reach out to us at hello@motherscience.com.