7 Essential Tips for Sensitive Skin: Ingredients, Foods & Chemicals to Avoid

7 Essential Tips for Sensitive Skin: Ingredients, Foods & Chemicals to Avoid

If you struggle with redness, irritation, dryness, or stinging after using skincare products, chances are your skin is sensitive—or your routine simply isn’t supporting your skin barrier. The good news? With the right ingredients and daily habits, sensitive skin can become calm, balanced, and naturally radiant.

Here are the top tips to care for sensitive skin, including the best ingredients to look for, harmful chemicals to avoid, and the foods and vitamins that help heal your skin from within.

Choose Gentle, Hydrating Ingredients That Strengthen the Skin Barrier

Sensitive skin needs moisture and barrier support, not aggressive actives. Look for naturally soothing botanicals that deliver hydration without irritation.

Best ingredients for sensitive skin:

• Goat Milk — rich in fatty acids & vitamins that support the barrier

• Botanical Hyaluronic Acid — deep hydration without heaviness

• Aloe Vera — calms inflammation & cools irritated skin

• Jojoba Oil — similar to skin’s natural oils; helps balance moisture

• Green Tea & Gotu Kola — antioxidants that reduce redness

• Witch Hazel (alcohol-free) — calms and tones skin gently

These ingredients are found in many ZOE Skincare products because they hydrate while reducing reactivity.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals That Trigger Irritation

Many sensitive skin flare-ups are caused by hidden irritants in everyday products. If you see these on labels, skip them:
❌ Parabens
❌ Sulfates (SLS, SLES)
❌ Alcohol (denatured, SD alcohol)
❌ Silicones (dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane)
❌ Synthetic fragrance + dyes
❌ Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM, Diazolidinyl Urea)

Choosing products that are fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and clean-formulated can dramatically reduce sensitivity over time.

Keep Your Routine Simple

Sensitive skin reacts to overload.
✔ Stick to 3–5 products max
✔ Avoid layering too many active ingredients
✔ Introduce new products slowly—one at a time
A simple routine helps your skin stay balanced and reduces confusion about what triggers reactions.

Support Skin Health With Nutrient-Rich Foods

Your skin barrier is heavily influenced by nutrition and inflammation levels. A gentle diet helps sensitive skin stay calm.

Best foods for soothing and protecting skin:

• Avocado, olive oil, nuts — healthy fats to rebuild cells

• Leafy greens, berries — antioxidants to fight inflammation

• Salmon, sardines, chia seeds — omega-3s for barrier strength

• Bone broth & collagen — supports elasticity and healing

• Probiotic foods — improves gut-skin connection

Avoid processed foods, seed oils, excess sugar, and dairy if you notice flare-ups after eating them.

 Add Skin-Loving Vitamins & Minerals

Nutrients that help reduce sensitivity and support skin repair:

• Vitamin C — brightens and reduces inflammation

• Vitamin E — protects the barrier and enhances healing

• Zinc — supports collagen and immune response

• Omega-3 fatty acids — reduce redness and dryness

• Vitamin A (retinol alternatives) — try bakuchiol if retinol is too strong

 Patch Test New Products

Sensitive skin reacts quickly—always test first.
Apply a small amount behind your ear or inside wrist and  wait 24–48 hours
If no redness or burning occurs, use as normal.

Moisturize Morning & Night

Hydration is the foundation of calm skin. A nourishing moisturizer locks in water and prevents irritation.
Look for moisturizers with:

• Goat milk

• Aloe

• Jojoba

• Shea or coconut

• Ceramide-supporting oils

Which is why the ZOE Skincare is ideal for dry and sensitive skin types.