What Not to Use on Sensitive Skin.
The general rule is to be gentle. Treat your poor, sensitive skin kindly and with TLC.
That’s because if your skin is sensitive, it doesn’t have its usual self-healing powers as the outer protective layer is weak and impaired.
According to Dr McDonald, certain ingredients in skincare are prone to causing irritation no matter your skin type, so they can be especially problematic in sensitive skin.
“The main problem ingredients are fragrances, preservatives, some sunscreens and many botanical ingredients,” she says.
“Those with sensitive skin also tend to have difficulty using actives and anti-aging ingredients such at retinols, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and Vitamin C, as they can’t tolerate what other people may experience as slight tingling or dryness.”
What is the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Serum?
Back to this very special serum for sensitive skin.
Small but mighty, the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Serum is designed to be a daily, soothing serum for sensitive skin.
(Side note, I’ve found La Roche-Posay’s sensitive skin range generally among the best so it’s no surprise this is amongst the best serums for sensitive skin.)


If you have ultra-sensitive or allergy-prone skin, you’re going to want to get this on your face, stat. Its main purpose is to reduce skin discomfort and help strengthen the skin barrier.
It also contains the brand’s highest concentration of Neurosensine™, a soothing and caring active ingredient. (If your mum was a serum, it would be this one.)
Neurosensine is a dipeptide found naturally in the skin. What’s a dipeptide? A peptide derived from two amino acids, its main function is to maintain the pH of your cells and act as antioxidants.
Containing 0 per cent preservatives, fragrance and alcohol, this serum promises to hydrate for up to 48 hours, and help to strengthen your skin barrier after just one hour.