Which daily cream should you use for sensitive skin?

What should you look for in a daily cream?

Start with fragrance free rather than scented skincare. Scented products are common triggers for sensitive skin, and moisturizing often is part of managing it. A suitable cream should help with dryness without provoking your usual symptoms. There is no single cream to choose from a product name alone: finding a suitable emollient can take a few attempts. An emollient is a moisturizing treatment that covers the skin with a protective film to hold moisture in.12

Is a cream better than a lotion or ointment?

Creams sit between lotions and ointments for richness, which is a useful distinction even without a dramatic product name. The main difference is how much oil they contain, so choose the texture for the area you need to moisturize.3

You can use a cream during the day and an ointment at night rather than asking one texture to do everything. Ointments usually contain no preservatives and can suit sensitive skin, but that does not make them appropriate for every area. For discoid eczema, creams and lotions tend to suit inflamed areas, while ointments suit dry areas that are not inflamed. You can also use different emollients on your face, hands and body.23

How do you apply a daily cream?

1. 1Wash gently with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser without dyes or perfumes. Avoid washing more often than necessary.
2. 2Pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it. Leave the skin slightly moist.
3. 3Apply your emollient promptly after washing. For dry skin treated with an emollient, use a generous amount rather than rubbing in a tiny dab.
4. 4Smooth the cream gently in the direction your hair grows. Do not scrub or vigorously rub it into the skin.
5. 5Reapply when dryness or tightness returns. Keep a small tube at home, school or work if you need regular applications.

How often should you use it?

Daily use does not have to mean one application. For dry skin managed with emollients, aim for at least three or four applications a day, particularly after washing. Hands and faces need regular attention because they are more exposed. If you have discoid eczema, continue your emollient even when symptoms are absent; very dry skin can need application every two to three hours. Use the frequency that addresses the dryness rather than treating morning and evening as a limit.35

What should you wash with?

Gentle cleansing matters because soaps, detergents and lengthy or frequent bathing can contribute to dryness. For dry or itchy skin, an emollient soap substitute is an option instead of ordinary soap. An emollient wash does not need foam to clean skin, even if bubbles have appointed themselves the visual proof. Use a product suitable for washing, rinse it off and pat dry. Daily sensitive skin care also includes sunscreen or limiting sun exposure; moisturizer is not the whole routine.145

What should you expect from moisturizer?

An emollient soothes and hydrates skin while helping it retain moisture. Sensitive skin also needs its triggers removed: a cream cannot replace avoiding a product that keeps causing irritation. Symptoms usually settle after the irritant goes away and the skin has time to calm down. Burning or itching can occur without a visible rash, so judge comfort as well as appearance. If home care has not helped after about a week, speak to a healthcare provider rather than repeatedly switching creams.15

What if your sensitive skin is eczema?

Texture advice changes with the condition. For dyshidrotic eczema, which affects hands or feet, choose a fragrance free cream or ointment rather than a lotion. Apply it after washing and whenever the skin feels dry. Remove rings before washing your hands, applying moisturizer or sleeping, because rings can irritate affected skin. A dermatologist can recommend a barrier repair cream containing dimethicone to help protect against irritation.6

Can you use cream with prescription skin treatment?

If you use a steroid cream or another skin treatment, separate it from your emollient by 20 to 30 minutes and ask your doctor which should go first. This prevents diluting the treatment or spreading it to skin that does not need it. For discoid eczema, unless your doctor directs otherwise, apply the emollient first and ideally wait around 30 minutes before the prescribed topical corticosteroid, a medicine applied to reduce inflammation. Moisturizer supports care but does not replace prescribed treatment for a flare.35

When should you stop or get help?

Stop an emollient that causes a skin reaction and ask a pharmacist or doctor about an alternative. Emollients can cause persistent burning or stinging, inflamed hair follicles or facial rashes that worsen acne. Get medical advice for bothersome symptoms, new symptoms or care that has stopped working. If eczema patches become excessively weepy or tender, see a doctor because these can be signs of infection. Keep a record of products and other things that touched your skin before symptoms appeared; it can help identify a trigger.135

How should you handle an emollient safely?

Use a clean spoon or spatula to take cream from a tub, and do not share emollients. Keep emollients and fabrics that have absorbed them away from flames and cigarettes. Both paraffin containing and paraffin free products can make clothing, bedding and dressings catch fire easily; washing does not remove the buildup completely. Watch for slippery surfaces after using emollients in a bath or shower.35