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Dry, painful, itchy – sensitive skin can be trying enough, not least when the products aimed at those of a more sensitive disposition often have more of a whiff of the medicine cabinet, than the dressing table, about them.
It can be tempting to pare a skincare regime down to the very basics, but there's a growing range of products and brands that caters specifically to such conditions. It's always trial and error with these things, so for first-timers, a discreet patch test is advisable instead of a liberal dousing...
Scent-free shower/bath gel
£9.95, greenpeople.co.uk
Made with 75 per cent certified organic ingredients, this foaming gel eschews essential oils and is a great all-rounder that is safe for all the family.
Skin relief with cooling menthol
£7.50, Aveeno, boots.com
Inflamed skin is often painfully itchy, too – the colloidal oatmeal in this rich balm will help to comfort, while cooling menthol will soothe the accompanying burn.
The best face cleansers
Show all 5Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief soothing treatment lotion
£26, Dr Weil for Origins, origins.co.uk
Toners loaded with alcohol and astringents are usually a no-no for sensitive-skin sufferers, but this gentle formulation soothes redness and hydrates.
Instant skin soothing serum
£45.50, aromatherapyassociates.com
Essential oils can trigger a reaction in some skin types so exercise caution, but prebiotics will build the skin's natural barrier while arnica and camomile calm irritated, angry skin.
Barrier repair
£36.50, dermalogica.co.uk
By increasing the skin's natural barrier, this waterless moisturiser can help block irritants in the environment that lead to inflammation.
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