In this time of social distancing, is anyone else out there noticing some rather unwelcome "guests" popping up where they weren't invited [1] — and definitely well within six feet? Yes, we're talking about the blemishes, redness, and rough patches emerging from times of increased stress (and extended time indoors in drier air [2]).
While there are spot treatments to specifically target these issues [3], you can actually soothe the area at various steps in your entire skin-care routine [4]. After all, swapping in a gentler face wash [5] or looking for calming ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, probiotics, and aloe vera in moisturisers can help, too. And whether this development stems from existing skin conditions (like rosacea, eczema, and dermatitis) or is a new reaction to protective face masks [6], there are plenty of solutions right at your fingertips.
To help you find it, we looked for the skin-care products at Sephora that had the best ratings and reviews for anyone dealing with irritated skin. Ahead, find the top serums, masks, toners, creams, and other things to give your stressed skin a helping hand.
Tatcha The Indigo Cream Soothing Skin Protectant
Tatcha The Indigo Cream Soothing Skin Protectant [7] ($85) is not only a cushiony, noncomedogenic moisturiser that softens and firms skin. There's also natural indigo extract and calming colloidal oatmeal inside to create a protective layer against anything that may cause irritation moving forward.
Sephora Collection Banana Cream Mask - Nourishing
The rinse-off, skin-soothing Sephora Collection Banana Cream Mask - Nourishing [8] ($8) takes on irritation with the power of bananas (which also add vitamins and nutrients to dry skin).
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner
The milky First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner [9] ($22) uses both wild oats and colloidal oatmeal to calm stressed skin. Hydrating honey and hyaluronic acid also help plump it up for better absorption of any other soothing products that follow.
Youth To The People Activate Your Calm Kit
If only we could speak it into existence, but the aptly named Youth To The People Activate Your Calm Kit [10] ($24) still packs together a rich cream and a moisturising mist to soothe dehydrated skin (plus earned an average 4.6 rating from other shoppers). Peptides alongside adaptogens reishi and ashwagandha also reduce redness and guard against any environmental stressors that brought about that unwanted reaction in the first place.
Herbivore Blue Tansy Fruit Enzyme Resurfacing Clarity Mask
This cooling Herbivore Blue Tansy Fruit Enzyme Resurfacing Clarity Mask [11] ($48) features anti-inflammatory blue tansy oil coupled pore-unclogging aloe leaf — and both of those ingredients also soothe skin while treating it. The gel mask also has papaya and pineapple to exfoliate dead skin cells so skin is left brighter, too.
Kate Somerville DeliKate Soothing Cleanser
Newly (or consistently) sensitive skin can easily be stripped dry by harsh cleansers but that's not the case with this Kate Somerville DeliKate Soothing Cleanser [12] ($38). Not only is it fragrance-free, it's also gentle and hydrating whether skin is tight or irritated from other treatments or other stressors.
Skinfix Eczema+ Hand Repair Cream
All that hand washing may do a number on your skin and, for people who already suffer from eczema, this can be even worse. The top-rated Skinfix Eczema+ Hand Repair Cream [13] ($18) offers itch-relieving sweet almond oil plus colloidal oatmeal that calm rashes and dermatitis on cracked hands, too.
Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb Aloe Vera
Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb Aloe Vera [14] ($38) is rich in soothing aloe vera and anti-inflammatory lady's mantle. But, perhaps the best part comes when this moisturiser is stored in the fridge and applied as a five-minute hydrating mask (after the protective one comes off).
Tower 28 Beauty SOS Save.Our.Skin Daily Rescue Facial Spray Mini
For an irritated-skin emergency, a spritz of the top-rated Tower 28 Beauty SOS Save.Our.Skin Daily Rescue Facial Spray Mini [15] ($12) does more than just offer a quick dose of cool relief. This spray includes hypochlorous acid which triggers an immune boost to soothe and heal skin. (FYI, this compound already does the same thing in your body's internal defence system, so you're getting some extra, natural help here.)
Korres Greek Yoghurt Calming + Cooling Gel
This Korres Greek Yoghurt Calming + Cooling Gel [16] ($26) can not only help soothe sensitive skin (thanks to the probiotics in its real Greek yoghurt), it's also rather nice post-workout when stocked in the fridge for a chilly solution for redness.
Briogeo B. Well Organic + Australian 100% Tea Tree Skin and Scalp Oil
The tea tree oil in this top-rated Briogeo B. Well Organic + Australian 100% Tea Tree Skin and Scalp Oil [17] ($32) can calm itchy, irritated skin on your face or your scalp, too. It also combats the oiliness that can lead to breakouts and soothe existing blemishes when diluted with water.
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
There are nearly 1,000 5-star reviews for this Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream [18] ($48-$69) which strengthens the skin's natural barrier so it's prepared to take on pretty much any environment. Even normal skin benefits from this product, but super-dry skin can get extra comfort from its blend of moisturising ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
Edible Beauty Probiotic Radiance Tonic Serum Calm and Restore
The top-rated Edible Beauty Probiotic Radiance Tonic Serum Calm and Restore [19] ($39) balances skin with probiotics — specifically, lactobacillus bulgaricus ferment — in order to restore skin's proper pH and acid mantle. It's also packed with antioxidants and hydration to plump up fine lines and fight future signs of ageing (and future breakouts), too.
Josie Maran Argan Infinity Cream Intensive Creamy Oil
Among the many moisturising uses for this popular Josie Maran Argan Infinity Cream Intensive Creamy Oil [20] ($28), several are perfect for stressed skin in particular. If parts of your face are irritated or dried out by the elements (or a protective mask), the argan oil can soothe those, and even de-puff swollen under-eyes, too.
Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defence Sunscreen SPF 30
Not only does this Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defence Sunscreen SPF 30 [21] ($54) protect against the sun (and free-radical damage), there's skin-supporting green tea and a special mushroom complex to calm already irritated, red skin at the same time.
First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Oat and Hemp Multi-Fix Salve
For skin challenges on your face and beyond, this First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Oat and Hemp Multi-Fix Salve [22] ($34) packs in oatmeal, hemp seed oil, and natural butters into its hardworking, top-rated balm. Whether you use it to relieve distressed complexions or chapped lips instead, the non-greasy, omega-rich salve has things sorted.
Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask
The top-rated Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask [23] ($48) helps stressed skin in just 10 minutes' time. Whether irritated from wind, sun, jet lag, or a protective mask, the brand's original white mushroom extract de-stresses and relieves inflammation so skin looks more even and feels better, too.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Calming Serum
Dr. Barbara Sturm Calming Serum [24] ($250) can rebalance skin experiencing any kind of stress from air conditioning to sleep loss. To do this, it uses a plant-based complex plus antioxidant purslane to soothe red, irritated skin, and support it moving forward.
Caudalie Grape Water
This Caudalie Grape Water [25] ($10-$18) comes directly from grapes in Bordeaux, adding in polysaccharides, mineral salts, and potassium — while still remaining 100 percent organic. This hydrating spray not only cools skin on the fly (or as a makeup setter), its ingredients can also calm redness from rosacea, rashes, or post-peel irritation.
Primera Gentle Comfort Gel Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
Primera Gentle Comfort Gel Cleanser for Sensitive Skin [26] ($20) uses gentle cleansing agents derived from coconuts to remove dirt, makeup, and impurities from even the most sensitive complexions. (There's also silver birch bud extract to soothe and condition stressed skin as well.)
Glow Recipe Watermelon + AHA Glow Sleeping Mask
With more than 1,200 5-star reviews, the Glow Recipe Watermelon + AHA Glow Sleeping Mask [27] ($22-$45) is popular with many for its overnight work smoothing and hydrating stressed skin with watermelon extract and hyaluronic acid. It also uses lactic and glycolic acids to eliminate dulling, dead surface cells so you can wake up refreshed and radiant.
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturiser
The top-rated Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturiser [28] ($52) supports skin's moisture barrier with probiotics, but also adds in redness-reducing ginger extract and calming red seaweed, too. It's also very hydrating and reduces the visible appearance of large pores with squalane while it also calms any irritation.
Skinfix Eczema+ Dermatitis Face Balm
Skinfix Eczema+ Dermatitis Face Balm [29] ($28) can treat any dry patches or facial dermatitis so irritation-prone skin stays protected. The colloidal oatmeal and sweet almond oil help relieve itching, and a sheer balm-like texture means it can invisibly do its job and even slip under makeup (and masks).
Amorepacific Treatment Toner
This soothing Amorepacific Treatment Toner [30] ($50) balances skin's pH while also calming it at the same time. Working hard inside are red ginseng (to revitalize), arnica (to soothe redness), and water lily extract (to purify) — plus, it makes a great pre-serum primer, too.
Kopari Coconut Melt
The multifunctional Kopari Coconut Melt [31] ($18-$28) is actually pure, unrefined coconut oil that can hydrate anywhere you need it. The fatty acids and lauric acid inside can fight inflammation and also relieve dry, eczema-prone skin.
Murad Clarifying Body Spray
For breakouts not just on your face, this quick-drying Murad Clarifying Body Spray [32] ($44) helps redness and acne anytime — and anywhere — it pops up, thanks to salicylic acid and cooling menthol.
The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm
The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm [33] ($10) is able to eliminate makeup and oil from your skin without removing necessary moisture. It uses colloidal oatmeal and oat kernel oil to support skin's moisture barrier as it soothes any irritation, too.