Do you experience a lot of redness, sensitivity, and irritation or struggle to find low-tox products that don’t upset your skin? If so, this post is for YOU! As you may know, I am a self-proclaimed clean beauty junkie; I absolutely loveeeeeeee testing new skincare products and have tried so many over the years. However, my skin had been more finicky than usual, so I majorly scaled back my routine and focused on a simple and gentle skincare regimen. Let’s talk more about that!
This post contains affiliate links.
First, more about my skin!
Just to give more background on my skin before we begin! I have dealt with severe hormonal acne in the past, but once that healed, my skin was healthy and quite normal. I would consider it combination (meaning it tends to get oily around the t-zone).
Maybe it’s a combo hormones, diet, gut issues, getting older, or just my skin telling me to slow down from using too many products. I have always had some mild redness/rosacea on my cheeks but it had been worse than usual, and I was experiencing bouts of irritation and flushing. I felt like my skin barrier was compromised and telling me to CHILL THE EFF OUT.
I was craving simplicity and felt called to slow down with my skincare routine and go back to the basics with a “skin reset.” What you’ll see in this post are the exact products I have been using that have helped me restore my skin back to balance!
If you’re curious about what I typically do when not following a minimal protocol, read this post: “A Peek at What My Natural Skincare Routine *Actually* Looks Like”
Skincare Tips for Sensitive Skin & What to Avoid!
Before I share my step-by-step regimen, let’s go over some basic DOS and DON’TS when it comes to sensitive and irritated skin.
DOS:
✅ Consistency with a routine
✅ Washing with lukewarm water
✅ Introducing only one new product at a time
✅ Using mild exfoliants and gentle actives sparingly
✅ Consuming anti-inflammatory and gut-friendly foods
✅ Being mindful of sun exposure especially during peak hours
✅ Patch testing products on your wrist or behind your ear before use
DON’TS:
❌ Excessive sun exposure
❌ Sulfates such as SLS/SLES
❌ Rinsing or showering with HOT water
❌ Over-exfoliating with harsh exfoliants
❌ Essential oils and synthetic fragrances
❌ Trying too many new products at once
❌ Eating a lot of processed or inflammatory foods such as seed oils
❌ Having an excessive routine with lots of products (sometimes, less is more!)
❌ Using highly concentrated actives (such as retinol or aggressive forms of Vitamin C at high doses)
Related post: “5 Key Tips for Clear Skin from Within (According to a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner)”
Quick Note About Essential Oils:
You might be confused as to why essential oils are on the “don’t” list! A common misconception is that all plant-based and natural ingredients are automatically safe and better for your skin. While that’s true a lot of the time, it’s not the case with essential oils. They are potent and can actually be sensitizing, irritating, and long-term use could lead to developed allergies. In fact, The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety in the EU considers 28 components of essential oils to be contact allergens in humans.
They’re not something you need to avoid ENTIRELY, but rather, be mindful about how often you use them on your delicate face!
Clean Skincare Routine for Stressed & Sensitive Skin: The Exact Products I Use & Recommend!
Now I want to share with you the exact steps and specific products I use that have helped my stressed-out skin. Keep in mind, we all have SUCH individual skin, so what works for me won’t necessarily work for you. But I do love these products and they have made my skin SO much happier and healthier. I think it’s a great place for you to start for some ideas!
Morning Cleanser: Raw Manuka Honey 🍯
We often feel like we need to do a powerful cleanse both in the morning and at night, but I don’t think it’s necessary! And for sensitive skin, it’s good to be cognizant of over-cleansing and stripping the skin barrier.
That’s why I’m obsessed with using manuka honey as a mild morning cleanser. I just splash my face with lukewarm water then massage about a teaspoon of manuka around my face, then rinse clean. It might sound weird, but it lifts away impurities and makes my skin feel fresh without overdrying it.
You can use regular raw honey too, but manuka is a special type of honey that boasts so many more benefits (such as stronger antibacterial properties)! It can also be used as a mask which we’ll talk more about later in this post.
Nighttime Oil Cleanser: Wabi-Sabi Botanicals The Giver
At night is when I need a more powerful cleanser that will melt away makeup and grime. This one is a staple in my routine! The entire Wabi-Sabi line is formulated for sensitive skin types and doesn’t use any essential oils. I adore The Giver especially because it smells like COFFEE! ☕️
You apply 2-3 pumps to dry skin and then it emulsifies and rinses clean with water; no wiping needed and no need for a second cleanse. Oil cleansing in general is amazing for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and won’t disrupt the microbiome. The Giver effectively removes makeup but keeps your skin intact—truly incredible!
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount on your first order 🏷️
Read more: “How to Get Started with the Oil Cleansing Method for Clear Skin”
Second Shower Cleanser: Aleavia Purifying Facial Cleanser
Alright, I hope this doesn’t get confusing, but it’s kind of hard to use an oil cleanser in the shower. So if I shower at night and am wearing makeup, I will first use the Wabi-Sabi Giver to remove makeup, then will hop in the shower and use this Aleavia cleanser as a second cleanse! If I’m not wearing makeup, I’ll skip The Giver altogether and just use Aleavia.
Aleavia is an awesome brand for sensitive skin because they make prebiotic, microbiome-friendly formulas with minimal ingredients. This is a gel cleanser that uses only 7 ingredients (no essential oils or fragrances) and balances the skin’s pH levels. It lathers with water and gently removes makeup, too.
You can also get this as a smaller travel size if you want to sample it! So good for all skin types.
(One caveat is that it contains sea salt, so try not to get it in your eyes as it can sting!)
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount 🏷️
Also available here on Amazon.
Hydration Boost: Earth Harbor Tidal Rose Toner OR Osea Hyaluronic Sea Serum 💦
After cleansing, you want to add some hydration before applying your moisturizer! I either use a toner or a water-based serum. You don’t necessarily need both, as long as you’re getting some form of hydration. It depends on my mood for which one I grab!
Spritzing with toner is a quick and easy way to do so and feels really refreshing. I have been using the Earth Harbor Tidal Rose Toner which is essential oil-free and made with rosewater, white tea, seaweed, and Persian lilac. These are anti-inflammatory, healing, reduce redness, and even skin tone. So great!
Shop Earth Harbor Rose Toner Here
Otherwise, a hyaluronic acid serum is a more luxurious way to get your hydration in. If you’re not familiar, hyaluronic acid is a humectant (a substance that retains moisture) and is capable of binding over one thousand times its weight in water. The name sounds scary but it’s safe to use daily, even for the most sensitive skin.
The Osea Hyaluronic Sea Serum has been a long-time fave of mine. It’s pricey, but worth it, in my opinion! It uses two molecular weights of hyaluronic acid and seaweed, plus it’s fragrance and essential oil free. It’s non-irritating but loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. It’s a fast-drying gel consistency that’s out of this world!
You can use code BECCA10 for a discount 🏷️
Shop Osea Hyaluronic Sea Serum Here
Read more: “Hyaluronic Acid 101: Skincare Benefits, How to Use It, & The Best Clean Serums!”
Morning Moisturizer: Grass-Fed Beef Tallow Balm 🐮
Tallow…yes, as in rendered beef fat 😂 Believe me, I was skeptical too, but after hearing so many people rave about it, I just had to try it myself. Tallow is LOADED with nutrients such as Vitamins A, B12, D, E, K, and fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic, alpha-linoleic, and conjugated linoleic [CLA]) that promote skin health. It provides adequate moisture and is compatible with our skin’s natural oils.
Overall, it’s a gentle yet nourishing moisturizer and was perfect during my “skin reset” phase when I was simplifying and going back to the basics. I initially used tallow both morning and night for about 3 months, then switched to just mornings as I introduced a facial oil in the evenings which you can read about in the next section. It’s great for sensitive/irritated skin and really helped calm my skin down!
I use Sun & Moo’s tallow balms! They’re grass-fed, grass-finished, and most have no essential oils (plus, a small woman-owned business!). You can choose from a couple of different formulas, but The Healer is particularly awesome because it has organic tamanu oil which is known for being soothing and healing.
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount 🏷️
Shop Sun & Moo Tallow Balms Here
Read more: “Tallow as a Natural Face Moisturizer? I Gave it a Try & Here’s How it Went!”
Nighttime Moisturizer: Maya Chia Super Naked Face Oil
This is a splurge, but wow, it’s WONDERFUL! It’s only 4 ingredients and is free of essential oils, making it ideal for sensitive skin. The key components are organic chia oil and organic virgin plum oil which are nutrient-dense and packed with antioxidants and fatty acids. It’s very nourishing and supports barrier function.
In addition, it’s an ultra-lightweight, fast-absorbing oil so even if you use 4-6 drops, it won’t leave you looking or feeling greasy. There is almost a dry feel to it. And btw, the smell is intoxicating—it reminds me of fruity Starburst candy!
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount on your first order if you buy this at Aillea 🏷️
Shop Maya Chia Oil Here at Aillea
Related post: “Unscented vs. Fragrance Free vs. Essential Oil Free Skincare: What’s the Difference?”
Eye Cream: Agent Nateur Ageless Eye Serum
I know the price on this one is ridiculous but it’s SO DANG GOOD. Also, you don’t *need* an eye cream, but I’m in my 30s and trying to be proactive about aging gracefully so this is a must for me.
I think with sensitive skin you can be a little more liberal with eye cream-type products because they’re only going on a small portion of your skin. But this serum is still suitable for reactive or stressed skin. It’s made with cucumber extract, lavender water, and calendula oil so it’s comfortable and soothing.
The light and fresh cucumber scent is to die for, and the soft texture literally blurs and plumps fine lines. Highly recommend! (you can also use it around your lips)
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount on this at the Love Peace Organic shop 🏷️
Shop Ageless Eye Serum Here at Love Peace Organic
Mineral Sunscreen: Erin’s Faces Peptide SPF30 Lotion ☀️
If you know anything about mineral sunscreens, sometimes they can look pasty or feel thick. Not this one! It acts like a silky lotion but is packed with SPF30 using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. I also enjoy how soothing this one feels! The formula uses organic cucumber extract, blue passion flower, and organic aloe which all work to calm inflammation. This SPF is non-irritating even after using daily, plus it’s fragrance and essential oil free.
On top of that, zinc oxide has been found to lower inflammation and may further protect conditions from getting worse. Win, win!
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount on your first order 🏷️
Related post: “How to Choose Non-Toxic Mineral Sunscreens (& Common SPF Ingredients to Avoid)”
Daily: Red Light Therapy 🚨
You’ve likely heard about this trendy treatment! I’m personally a huge fan and this could be a fun bonus for you. It boasts numerous benefits but can be particularly helpful for healing conditions such as rosacea, eczema, hyperpigmentation, and redness. It decreases inflammation and supports healthy skin if used frequently.
All you do is sit 6-18 inches away from the light with exposed skin and work your way up to 10 minutes a session. You can do it early in the morning (before applying sunscreen) or after sunset. It’s such a relaxing practice!
I won’t go into all the nitty gritty details about RLT or my device, but if you want to do a deep dive, check out this post:
Read more: “How to Use Red Light Therapy at Home & Best Device [My Before/After Skin Results!]”
I use a Mito Min panel and recommend it. But Mito has lots of sizes/variations available!
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount 🏷️
Shop Mito Red Light Panels Here
Weekly: Raw Manuka Honey Mask
Hooray for multi-tasking products! Using the same raw manuka honey for a morning cleanse, you can also use it as a face mask. Just apply about a teaspoon to damp skin and leave it on for an hour or so, then rinse it off and resume your skincare regimen.
Manuka has been found to be incredibly healing with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, making it ideal for inflamed or troubled skin types. It also helps keep skin hydrated (honey is a humectant) and free of bacteria if you experience breakouts. It’s my ride-or-die and my skin looks SO much better after doing these masks regularly!
Learn more about it here: “How to Use Manuka Honey as a Face Mask for Glowing Skin (Natural Acne Remedy!)”
Weekly: Agent Nateur Holi(bright) Resurface Glass Mask 🪩
While manuka can offer a very mild enzymatic exfoliation, my skin still needs a bit more! As mentioned earlier, you want to be cautious about over-exfoliating with sensitive skin and avoid using anything too abrasive or harsh. I recommend opting for a chemical/enzymatic exfoliation instead of physical/mechanical.
This glass mask works WONDERS. It slightly tightens on your skin as it dries but thankfully doesn’t feel itchy, drying, or too stiff. It doesn’t give you any intense burning sensations, but effectively resurfaces skin, clears out pores, and dissolves dead skin cells. The coolest part is that once it dries on your skin, it literally looks like glass. After rinsing it off, your skin will feel baby soft and smooth! It’s miraculous and basically an at-home facial.
While it does use some lactic acids and Vitamin C, I only leave it on for about 15 minutes at a time and it feels quite gentle. The mask is also formulated with aloe vera and cucumber (and no essential oils) so it’s calming and can help stressed-out skin. It’s luxe, but once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount on this at the Love Peace Organic shop 🏷️
Shop Agent Nateur Glass Mask Here at Love Peace Organic
Adhering to a minimal and gentle skincare regimen has majorly calmed my skin down and it feels so much happier!TLDR: Summary of My Sensitive Skincare Routine
Here’s a quick summary of the process. Anything that’s denoted with an asterisk (*) means you can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount using the link provided!
- Morning Cleanser: Raw Manuka Honey
- Nighttime Oil Cleanser: Wabi-Sabi Botanicals The Giver*
- Second Shower Cleanser: Aleavia Purifying Facial Cleanser*
- Hydration Boost: Earth Harbor Tidal Rose Toner OR Osea Hyaluronic Sea Serum (code BECCA10 for Osea)
- Morning Moisturizer: Sun & Moo Grass-Fed Beef Tallow Balm*
- Nighttime Moisturizer: Maya Chia Super Naked Face Oil*
- Eye Cream: Agent Nateur Ageless Eye Serum*
- Mineral Sunscreen: Erin’s Faces Peptide SPF30 Lotion*
- Daily: Red Light Therapy*
- Weekly: Raw Manuka Honey Mask
- Weekly: Agent Nateur Holi(bright) Resurface Glass Mask*
Still need help finding a natural skincare routine?
If you’re still struggling with finding a non-toxic skincare routine that works for you, you can work with Becca 1:1 for a Custom Clean Beauty Consultation. You’ll receive a custom list of recommendations tailored to your unique budget, preferences, and skin type!
I totally understand that dealing with sensitive skin can be extremely frustrating and may involve some trial and error. Hopefully this post helps you find natural products that your skin will LOVE! Thanks for reading 💚
I love manuka honey and honey cleansers! I use Bubble & Bee’s Honey and Rosehip Cleanser! Ingredients are simple, straightforward and certified organic. I use it with the Bubble & Bee Facial Cream for a super simple routine. I have eczema and find less is so much more, indeed! Thanks for the rec’s…I’ll be checking them out. ☺
Thanks for sharing, Amy!
Thanks for this post Becca, I saw your other post on grad-fed tallow and this one. I also suffer from rosacea and acne. However I’m also in my upper 30s and trying to combat both the acne and the wrinkles. Which routine would you say would be most beneficial? Have you seen significant improvement in fine lines (especially in forehead and crow’s feet) with any. I’d like to revamp my whole routine.
Hi Allison! I’d say the tallow can be great for helping calm down skin and providing deep moisture, and therefore helping with fine lines. However it might also be good to incorporate something with more active/potent ingredients for targeting lines and wrinkles. You might like one of the retinol alternatives that I share in this post, specifically the One Love Organics A serum because it has some acids in it that can be helpful for blemishes too.