9 Active Ingredients Your Sensitive Skin Will Absolutely Love

If your skin reddens at the slightest thing or feels tight just from being exposed to the wind, you already know how complicated it can be to choose the right products.The good news? There are active ingredients designed exactly for this: to soothe, protect, and calm even the most sensitive reactive skin.Here you’ll find 9 ingredients that make a difference, explained in a simple, clear way backed by science. Few, effective, and zero stress.

Ectoine

WHAT IT IS: a natural molecule discovered in microorganisms that survive in extreme environments.
WHYIT’S USEFUL: protects the Skin from environmental stressors such as temperature swings, UV radiation, and pollution.
HOW IT WORKS: forms a “hydrating shield” that stabilizes cells and reduces water loss.
WHAT IT DOES FOR THE SKIN: helps the Skin maintain more stable hydration and tolerance, even in harsh external conditions.

Found in Crema Viso Cica Barrier®.

Beta-Glucan

WHAT IT IS: a natural sugar found in oats, mushrooms, and yeasts.
WHY IT’S USEFUL: soothes, hydrates, and strengthens the skin barrier.
HOW IT WORKS: creates a protective film, modulates the inflammatory response, and limits dehydration.
WHAT IT DOES FOR THE SKIN: relieves itching and tightness, leaving the Skin calmer and more protected.

Found in Soothing Booster.

Lactobionic Acid (PHA)

WHAT IT IS: an exfoliant from the polyhydroxy acid family, far gentler than classic AHAs.
WHY IT’S USEFUL: exfoliates without irritating and helps retain hydration.
HOW IT WORKS: removes dead cells and acts as an antioxidant, improving the Skin's texture.
WHAT IT DOES FOR THE SKIN: relieves itching and tightness, leaving the Skin calmer and more protected.

Found in Exfoliant for Sensitive Skin.

Neutrazen™ (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8)

WHAT IT IS: a biomimetic peptide formulated for hyper-reactive Skin.
WHY IT’S USEFUL: acts on the skin nerve endings, often overly sensitive in sensitive Skin, which amplify stinging, burning, and redness even in response to minor triggers.
HOW IT WORKS: modulates nerve signals and lowers the threshold for neurogenic reactivity.
WHAT IT DOES FOR THE SKIN: helps calm sudden reactions and keeps the Skin more stable over time.

Found in Crema Viso Cica Barrier®.

Sensityl™ (Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract)

WHAT IT IS: a biotechnological extract derived from marine microalgae.
WHY IT’S USEFUL: helps rebalance the skin microbiome and reduce sensory inflammation.
HOW IT WORKS: modulates pain receptors and lowers mediators like IL-8.
WHAT IT DOES FOR THE SKIN: evens the Skin's complexion, reduces redness, and makes the Skin less prone to fluctuations.

Found in Exfoliant for Sensitive Skin.

Madecassoside

WHAT IT IS: a plant active extracted from Centella asiatica.
WHY IT’S USEFUL: has soothing, antioxidant properties and stimulates repair.
HOW IT WORKS: reduces free radicals, calms inflammation, and promotes collagen synthesis.
WHAT IT DOES FOR THE SKIN: makes the Skin more elastic, less reactive, and visibly more calm.

Found in Crema Viso Cica Barrier®.

Ceramides

WHAT IT IS: essential lipids that make up the Skin's protective barrier.
WHY IT’S USEFUL: when these are lacking, the Skin loses moisture and becomes more vulnerable.
HOW IT WORKS: rebuild the barrier, improving firmness and hydration.
WHAT IT DOES FOR THE SKIN: restore strength to the Skin, limit dryness, and boost tolerance for active ingredients.

Found in Crema Viso Cica Barrier®.

SymRepair® 100

WHAT IT IS: a blend of biomimetic lipids that mimic those naturally found in the Skin.
WHY IT’S USEFUL: helps recompact the damaged stratum corneum.
HOW IT WORKS: strengthens the barrier and reduces water loss to the outside.
WHAT IT DOES FOR THE SKIN: boosts resistance to external aggressors and keeps the Skin more hydrated and protected.

Found in Soothing Booster.

Colloidal Oatmeal

WHAT IT IS: finely micronized oats, rich in beta-glucans and natural soothing actives.
WHY IT’S USEFUL: has a long history of use in dermatological treatments for reactive skin.
HOW IT WORKS: modulates inflammation and creates a protective film that soothes.
WHAT IT DOES FOR THE SKIN: reduces redness, tingling, and burning, providing immediate relief.

Found in Crema Viso Cica Barrier®.

⚠️ Actives to use with caution

Even some “good” ingredients can be too intense for sensitive Skin, especially at high concentrations:

• Retinoids
• Strong AHAs (e.g., glycolic >10%)
• Denatured alcohol

Best introduced gradually and only if well-tolerated.

Expert's Opinion

“When we talk about sensitive Skin, the rule is to choose just a few targeted active ingredients. It’s better to focus on ingredients that hydrate, calm, and strengthen the barrier, instead of layering too many products without any logic.”

Maria Pia Priore

Founder di SKIN FIRST®, farmacista e cosmetologa

Products in this article

Exfoliant for Sensitive Skin

€23,00

Soothing Booster

€28,00

Cica Barrier Face Cream

€28,00