The best moisturiser for sensitive skin is one that provides lasting hydration, supports the skin barrier and avoids ingredients you already know trigger irritation.
Look for moisturising ingredients such as glycerin, urea and hyaluronic acid, alongside ingredients such as dimethicone that help reduce moisture loss. If your skin reacts easily, a simple formula and patch testing can also make choosing a moisturiser easier.
Sensitive skin can feel dry, tight, itchy or uncomfortable and may react more noticeably to skincare products, weather changes and environmental irritants. Because everyone’s triggers are different, there isn’t one moisturiser that will suit every sensitive skin type.
The key is understanding what your skin needs, which ingredients can help support it and which potential triggers may be worth limiting.
What is sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin is generally used to describe skin that reacts more readily than normal skin to products, environmental conditions or other triggers. Common signs can include:
- Redness or visible irritation
- Dryness and flaking
- Itching
- Tightness
- Stinging or burning after applying certain products
- Small bumps or rashes
- Increased sensitivity to heat, cold or weather changes
One of the main factors associated with sensitive skin is a weakened or compromised skin barrier. The skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin and helps retain moisture while protecting the layers underneath from external irritants.
When this barrier isn’t functioning effectively, moisture can escape more easily and potential irritants can have a greater effect on the skin. This is why sensitivity and dryness so often occur together.
You can learn more about the common signs and causes on our sensitive skin guide.
What should you look for in a moisturiser for sensitive skin?
A good moisturiser for sensitive skin should do more than make the surface of your skin temporarily feel softer. Ideally, it should help replenish moisture and support the skin’s protective barrier.
Some useful ingredient types to look for include:
Glycerin
Glycerin is a humectant, which means it helps attract and retain water in the skin. It is widely used in moisturisers to improve hydration and can be particularly useful when dryness and sensitivity occur together.
Urea
Urea is another moisturising ingredient that helps the skin retain water and soften rough, dry areas. It can be particularly useful in products designed for very dry hands, feet and body skin.
For a more detailed explanation, read our guide to urea skin benefits and the best urea creams.
Dimethicone
Dimethicone forms a lightweight protective layer over the surface of the skin. This can help reduce moisture loss while helping shield dry or compromised skin from external exposure.
It is especially useful in hand creams because hands are frequently exposed to water, soaps, cleaning products and changing environmental conditions.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is commonly included in moisturisers for its antioxidant and conditioning properties. When combined with hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients, it can help keep dry skin feeling softer and more comfortable.
Learn more about Vitamin E in skincare and how it is used in moisturisers.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that can help attract water to the skin. It is often found in hydrating products because it can support moisture levels without requiring a particularly heavy texture.
The best formula will depend on where you are using it, how dry your skin is and which ingredients your skin personally tolerates.
What ingredients should sensitive skin be careful with?
Sensitive skin doesn’t follow one universal set of rules. An ingredient that causes irritation for one person may be completely comfortable for someone else.
However, if your skin is already dry or reactive, it can be useful to pay attention to:
Added fragrance
Fragrance can be a trigger for some people with reactive skin. If you know your skin reacts to fragranced products, choosing fragrance-free skincare can make it easier to minimise unnecessary exposure.
Fragrance-free does not automatically mean a product will suit everyone, so patch testing is still worthwhile.
Drying alcohols
Certain alcohols, such as ethanol and isopropyl alcohol, can feel drying on already compromised skin when used at higher concentrations.
Not every ingredient containing the word “alcohol” is the same, however. Fatty alcohols such as cetearyl alcohol are commonly used in moisturising formulations and perform a different function.
Strong exfoliants and scrubs
Exfoliation can be helpful for some skin types, but over-exfoliating sensitive skin can increase dryness, tightness and discomfort.
If you exfoliate, introduce products gradually and avoid combining several exfoliating products at once. Read our guide on how often you should exfoliate for more information.
Too many new products at once
When your skin is reactive, a complicated routine can make it difficult to identify what is causing a problem.
Introducing one new product at a time gives you a better chance of determining how your skin responds.
Is fragrance-free moisturiser better for sensitive skin?
Not necessarily for everyone, but it can be a useful choice if fragrance is one of your known triggers.
“Sensitive skin” and “fragrance-free” do not mean exactly the same thing. Some moisturisers designed for dry or sensitive skin may still contain fragrance, while other products are specifically formulated without it.
If you know fragrance causes redness, itching or discomfort, look specifically for a product labelled fragrance-free rather than assuming every sensitive-skin moisturiser will be fragrance-free.
For example, DU’IT Tough Hands Fragrance Free is specifically formulated without added fragrance for dry, rough and sensitive hands.
How should you patch test a new moisturiser?
Patch testing can be helpful if your skin is particularly reactive or you are introducing an unfamiliar product.
Apply a small amount to a limited area of intact skin rather than immediately applying it across your face or body. Monitor the area for signs of irritation before using the product more widely.
If you experience persistent burning, swelling, a significant rash or another concerning reaction, discontinue the product and seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Can changing weather make sensitive skin worse?
Yes. Sensitive skin can feel different throughout the year because temperature, humidity and your daily environment all influence how quickly the skin loses moisture.
In winter
Cold air, wind, indoor heating and lower humidity can contribute to moisture loss, leaving skin feeling dry, tight or irritated.
In spring
Warmer temperatures, changing humidity and increased exposure to pollen and other environmental allergens can make some people’s skin feel more reactive or itchy.
In summer
Heat, sun exposure, air conditioning, swimming and more frequent showering can all affect the skin barrier.
Rather than completely changing your skincare routine every season, pay attention to how your skin feels. You may simply need to adjust the amount or frequency of moisturiser you use.
If seasonal dryness is a recurring issue, our guide to keeping skin moisturised in winter has additional practical advice.
A simple skincare routine for sensitive skin
Sensitive skin often benefits from keeping things simple.
1. Cleanse gently
Avoid excessively hot water and aggressive scrubbing. Lukewarm water is generally more comfortable for dry or reactive skin.
2. Apply moisturiser consistently
Moisturising regularly is more effective than waiting until your skin becomes extremely dry.
Applying moisturiser after cleansing or showering can help replenish moisture when the skin needs it most.
If you’re unsure how frequently to apply it, read our guide to how often you should moisturise.
3. Protect your skin from the sun
Use broad-spectrum sunscreen and other sun protection such as shade, hats and protective clothing when outdoors.
If your skin is particularly reactive, you may need to try different sunscreen formulations to find one that feels comfortable.
4. Don’t overload irritated skin
If your skin suddenly becomes sensitive, this may not be the best time to introduce several new active ingredients.
A straightforward routine centred around gentle cleansing, moisturising and sun protection can make it easier to work out what your skin tolerates.
Which DU’IT moisturiser is best for sensitive skin?
The right product depends on where your skin needs extra moisture.
For sensitive or very dry facial skin
DU’IT VE+ Vitamin E Face Cream is a rich facial moisturiser containing 12% Vitamin E alongside glycerin and dimethicone. It is designed to hydrate dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin while helping the skin retain moisture.
Because the formula does contain fragrance, people who know they are sensitive to fragrance should patch test before applying it more widely.
You can also explore the full DU’IT face care range.
For dry and sensitive hands
Hands can be particularly prone to irritation because of frequent washing, sanitising, cleaning products, work and exposure to the weather.
DU’IT Tough Hands Fragrance Free contains 10% urea, Vitamin E and dimethicone and is specifically formulated without added fragrance for dry, rough, cracked or sensitive hands.
If hand sensitivity is linked to eczema or recurring irritation, you may also find our guides to choosing a hand cream for eczema and eczema causes and treatment useful.
For dry, itchy or sensitive body skin
DU’IT Tough Body is a lightweight daily body moisturiser formulated for dry, dull, itchy and sensitive skin. Its formula includes moisturising ingredients such as glycerin and urea alongside niacinamide.
For more general advice on body dryness, see our guide to the best full body lotion for dry skin.
What if sensitive skin is also extremely dry or itchy?
Dryness and sensitivity frequently overlap because a weakened skin barrier allows moisture to escape more easily.
If your skin feels persistently tight, flaky or itchy, focus on restoring hydration and reducing unnecessary irritation. Regular moisturising, gentler cleansing and avoiding excessive heat can all help support the skin barrier.
Our guides on dry skin causes and treatments and how to fix dry skin explore this in more detail.
Persistent itching, significant inflammation, broken skin or recurring rashes may be signs of an underlying skin condition rather than simple sensitivity. Speak with a doctor or dermatologist if symptoms are severe, persistent or difficult to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best moisturiser for sensitive skin?
The best moisturiser for sensitive skin is one that provides lasting hydration, supports the skin barrier and suits your individual triggers. Ingredients such as glycerin, urea, hyaluronic acid and dimethicone can help support hydration and reduce moisture loss.
Should sensitive skin use moisturiser every day?
For most people with dry or sensitive skin, regular moisturising can help maintain hydration and support the skin barrier. How often you need to apply it depends on your skin type, environment and the part of the body you are treating.
Is fragrance-free moisturiser best for sensitive skin?
Fragrance-free products can be helpful if fragrance is a known trigger for your skin. However, not everyone with sensitive skin reacts to fragrance, and fragrance-free products can still contain other ingredients that don’t suit every person.
Why is my skin suddenly sensitive?
Changes in weather, over-cleansing, introducing new skincare products, sun exposure or disruption to the skin barrier can all contribute to temporary sensitivity. Persistent or severe symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Can sensitive skin also be dry?
Yes. Dry and sensitive skin commonly occur together. When the skin barrier is compromised, the skin can lose moisture more easily and become more vulnerable to external irritants.
Should I stop exfoliating if my skin is sensitive?
If your skin is currently irritated, reducing or temporarily stopping exfoliation may help avoid further stress to the skin barrier. When reintroducing exfoliation, start gradually and monitor how your skin responds.
Finding the right moisturiser for your sensitive skin
There is no single moisturiser that works for every sensitive skin type. The most useful approach is to choose a formula designed for the area you are treating, look for ingredients that support hydration and barrier function, avoid your known triggers and introduce new products gradually.
If your skin is frequently dry, irritated or reactive, consistency matters. A simple routine built around gentle cleansing, regular moisturising and sun protection can help keep the skin barrier supported throughout changing seasons and everyday exposure.
Explore DU’IT’s sensitive skin solutions or browse our face care, hand care and body care ranges to find a moisturiser suited to your needs.
DU’IT Tough Hands Fragrance Free 150g
DU’IT Tough Hands Fragrance Free intensive hand cream is a clinically proven, intensive strength hand cream for dry hands that works to seal cracks, replace lost oils, condition the skin and form a protective barrier to keep hands in top condition. It repairs dry, rough, cracked, irritated and calloused hands, with visible effects in 1 day. Especially designed for sensitive skin, it contains no nasties and is Australian made and owned.
