Sensitive skin: calming a reactive complexion in the heat
If new products sting, your cheeks flush in the heat and your skin seems to react to everything, start here. Sensitive skin usually needs less — fewer products, fewer actives, more patience.
Sensitive skin often has a compromised barrier — the outer layer that keeps water in and irritants out. Sun exposure, sweating, over-cleansing and strong actives can all weaken it further, while heat dilates blood vessels so redness shows more easily.
The fix is to simplify. Strip your routine back to a gentle cleanser, a calming moisturiser and a sunscreen, give your skin a few weeks to settle, and then add one thing at a time.
The routine
A routine for sensitive skin
Morning
1
Rinse
Lukewarm water only, or a very gentle cream cleanser.
2
Calm
A centella or panthenol serum.
3
Moisturise
A fragrance-free moisturiser with ceramides.
4
Protect
A fragrance-free sunscreen. Mineral filters are often better tolerated.
Evening
1
Cleanse
A gentle balm or milk to remove sunscreen, rinsed with lukewarm water.
Introduce one at a time, a week or two apart, and patch-test first.
Hot showers
Hot water on the face can trigger redness. Keep it lukewarm.
Fragrance and essential oils
Common triggers. Fragrance-free is the safer default.
Exfoliating to 'fix' flakes
Flaking from a damaged barrier needs moisture, not scrubbing.
When to see a dermatologist. Persistent redness, flushing, bumps or burning can be signs of conditions like rosacea or dermatitis. If your skin doesn't settle with a simple routine, a dermatologist can help.
From the edit
Product types for sensitive skin
Message us to check what's on the shelf this weekend.
SPF 50, PA++++, milk vs gel, chemical vs mineral — what the labels on Asian sunscreens mean, and how to pick one that feels good enough to reapply.
Read the guide
FAQ
Sensitive skin: questions
Apply a small amount behind the ear or along the jawline once or twice a day for several days. If there's no redness, itching or stinging, try it on the rest of your face.
Not necessarily. Plant extracts and essential oils are common triggers. What matters is a short, fragrance-free ingredient list, not whether something is 'natural'.
Cica is short for centella asiatica, a plant used in calming skincare. Korean 'cica' products are some of the most popular we stock for red, reactive skin.
This guide is general skincare information, not medical advice. If you have a skin condition that worries you, please see a doctor or dermatologist.
Not sure where to start? Just ask.
Message us with your skin type and what you're looking for. We'll tell you what's on the shelf this weekend and help you choose — then pick up at Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Skincare Routines
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