Sensitive Skincare Mistakes You Need to Stop Making | Dermatologist Explains

Sensitive skin can be truly annoying. So many new patients come to me who are suffering with red, dry, irritated skin and they simply can't figure out why. I'm here to share the top sensitive skincare mistakes I see in my practice to make sure you aren't making the same mistakes too. I will also share in this video how to repair your skin if you have indeed made any of these common sensitive skincare mistakes.

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
00:34 What is "sensitive skin"?
00:59 Mistake #1 - Patch Test
03:37 Mistake #2 - Moisturizers
05:24 Mistake #3 - Product use
06:11 Mistake #4 - New products
07:22 Mistake #5 - Using too many products
08:23 Mistake #6 - Too aggressive with skincare
10:27 Mistake #7 - "Natural" or "clean" products
11:19 Mistake #8 - Shower temperature
12:05 Mistake #9 - Assumptions
13:07 How to fix your skin barrier
14:41 Subscribe!

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DISCLAIMER: The information in this video is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician. Prequel is my skincare brand. Some of the links in this description may be affiliate links (marked with *). Affiliate links help support my YouTube channel so I can continue to create educational skincare videos for you. Also, some products may have been received as PR. Thanks for watching!

[DELLRS]

I strongly recommend La Roche-posay and EltaMD for sensitive skin. I have 7 different skin allergies and when I have a question or a reaction to a product, I can call those companies and speak to an actual staff member who will address my concerns …promptly at that! Totally underrated!

[lukastemberger]

If over 70% of people have sensitive skin, it means sensitive skin is normal skin.

[lucydeboxer]

Great video, Dr. Ellis! Amen to stick with what works. The skin care/cosmetics industry is constantly pushing new products that aren't only not necessary, but for sensitive skin they can be very disruptive.

[LadyReese]

Rosacea-prone sensitive OILY person here. My core 4 are right now:
1. Avene cleanance gel
2. Revuele centella repairing face gel-cream
3. Frudia green grape solar gel sebum control spf50+ pa++++
4. Avene cicalfate+
Hope it helps someone 😊

[shaffer_sl]

I’ve had sensitive, reactive skin my whole life (had eczema as a baby) along with several random allergies. My core four are the cetaphil gentle cleanser, aveeno daily moisturizing face cream, beauty of joseon sunscreen, and CeraVe healing ointment! I can’t handle tretinoin or most exfoliants but I’ve recently had luck with the neutrogena rapid wrinkle repair retinol (fragrance free version) & the Paula’s choice 6% mandelic acid + 2% lactic acid exfoliant. Hugs and good luck to all my fellow sensi skin pals out there!🫶🏻

[db-gbxi]

Thanks for mentioning the over exfoliation. People sometimes don't realize that just washing their face with the fingers is a type of physical exfoliation.

[amandagriz]

Niacinamide seems to be touted as a great soother to the skin but I cannot tolerate it at all, in any percentage. I used Cetaphil soap for many years and couldn't figure out why my face developed a horrible case of contact dermatitis. I finally figured out that they changed their formulation and added niacinamide

[paigeme]

Thank you so much .
The whole ‘natural’ and ‘essential oils’ drives me nuts and desperately wish people would learn that such oils are the worst for skin!
Products that really helps for me is the La roche toleriane night sensitive cream- soothes & minimised my sensitivity over time. Cicaplast b5 is also great ( edit- incredibly sorry but how does the Celimax dual barrier wearable cream compare to my La Roche night cream? I saw you mention it in a video after I searched for the moisturiser. I’m interested in it ☺️)

I really absolutely can’t wait for your products to be available in Australia! I have my fingers crossed that you will get a stockist here 😊 heard only positive reviews of your skincare products!

[ArleneChernenko]

I have always had sensitive skin. But the last couple of years, it has become reactive to many products including some I have used for years. Particularly sensitive on my cheekbones. Some products that work for me are Vanicream moisturizing lotion and cream; Bioderma Micellar Water for sensitive skin; Cotz Mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin (albeit much too heavy in warmer weather); LaRoche Posay All Mineral sunscreen; and Dr. Idriss Depouffer, Hyper Serum; and Flash Mask (exfoliator).

[monikab]

I have rosacea and really sensitive skin. Love the Bioderma Sensibio, LRP Toleriane, Cerave's hidrating and Cetaphil Redness Control lines. BOJ Rice SPF is the only one not causing more irritation (tried a lot of mineral ones too, but none this good). My skin also likes the Ordinary's Buffet serum, the Klairs blue sheet mask and Cerave's resurfacing retinol serum, I use these occasionally.

[Nameless]

Why is it so hard to find products that do not contain propylene glycol? I’m allergic to this, based on patch testing with a dermatologist (I was tested for allergies to “the North American 80” aka the top 80 allergens in North America). Why do so many brands (like Cetaphil, CeraVe, Neutrogena, Vanicrean, etc) use propylene glycol in their products when it is known to be on the list of 80 most common allergens? It’s so frustrating!!!! You’d think brands like that would NOT use any of the ingredients from that list…

[SightWordMovies]

Yes to paring down the number of products! When I eliminated serums, masks and multiple moisturizers, my rosacea-prone skin got so much better. Vanicream cleanser, Prequel moisturizer, my topical rosacea prescription and an SPF is it for me. Saves time and money too.

[passionate.hippie]

41 years old and I can barely use Vanicream…. I’d give ANYTHING to have someone like you talk to me about my facial skincare routine. 🥺

[JessicaDeAnna]

The ordinary cleansers and moisturizers are great for sensitive skin. The glucoside foaming cleanser, glucolipid cream cleanser, squalene cleanser, HA moisturizer, and phytoceramide moisturizer.

[PetrichorPajamas]

Avene XeraCalm saved my life. I also use it on a cotton pad to remove my make up. It’s the only thing I use on my face, neck & chest, & I get comments on my skin regularly. My skin is so sensitive I can’t even use hair products with scent. Four Reasons is out of this world for scent-free, clean, hair products.

[anivonhunt]

I always read the ingredients even if I have been using it for years. Ingredients will change. My favorite shampoo changed the ingredients, which I had a reaction to. Always read ingredients. I really like Good Molecules because they post changes on the boxes and listen to feedback.
Vanicream for face and Beekman goat bar soap for body.
I have a great deal of Prequel products. Thank you for your products. I am using the lotion with Urea. Love the gel balm. Love vitamin c serum and the calming serum. The texture is great.
In the winter, I love the Nessaire balm for the body.
Vanicream and Paula's Choice rescue and repair face lotion is great. I also use Geek & Gorgeous retinol, which is gentle (I have the Shop app, which helps shipping cost for this specific product).
Good Molecules peptide serum and sunscreen are great.
I do use Olay sensitive sunscreen for neck only. Black Girls Sunscreen for the body plus I can use Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for this sun screen.

[hoosiermama]

I have very sensitive skin and I have found that everything in the Vanicream line is very gentle - face wash, moisturizer, shampoo and conditioner.
I have your Gleanser ordered and can't wait to receive it!

[sulakaricats]

4 years same simple routine since I saw a dermatologist, yes I get bored and longing look at other products but I’ve learned my lesson and follow derms advise of stop experimenting …..I can even tolerate retinal now which I never ever thought I would be able to use again (Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1)

[leeaskew]

what to do in the case when testing products appears fine on my arm but on my face I get reactions? I have terrible allergies and find products will affect my face totally different from my body. It is so frustrating

[lisaharr]

Thank you thank you for this amazing video !! In the last few months my neck has become so ultra sensitive so I guess I cannot use a mild retinol product at all there. I just went back to basic Cetaphil cream and it has helped a lot. I am sad that I won’t be able to use a retinol on my neck because the creepiness and lines are really getting bad since I’m in my 60’s.