Products for sensitive skin in Kenya: gentle picks that calm

Sensitive skin stings, turns red, itches or comes up in bumps when it meets the wrong product. In Kenya it often flares in the dry season, after a harsh soap, or when you try three new things in one week. Here are the gentle products we recommend, how to bring them in safely, and when eczema-prone skin needs a doctor rather than a new cream.

What sensitive skin usually means

Sensitive is a description, not a diagnosis. For some people it means skin that stings with almost everything. For others it is redness that comes and goes, or dry, itchy patches that may be eczema. Gentle, simple care helps all of these. A true eczema flare needs medical advice, which we cover below.

What to look for

• Short ingredient lists and, where possible, no added fragrance.
• Soap-free cleansers that do not leave skin tight.
• Barrier ingredients such as ceramides, panthenol, oat and centella.
• Alcohol-free toners, if you use a toner at all.
• Calming sunscreens that do not sting around the eyes.
• Fewer actives. Put strong acids, scrubs and high-strength serums aside until your skin is calm.

Our picks

Gentle cleanser: Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant

Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant is a soap-free foaming gel made for sensitive skin. It cleans without that squeaky feeling and suits sensitive skin that is also a little oily. The 500ml bottle lasts a long time.

Alcohol-free toner: Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Toner

Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Toner is alcohol-free and low cost. Toner is optional for sensitive skin, but if you like one, this is a gentle place to start.

Barrier cream: Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream

Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream combines ceramides with hyaluronic acid. It is a good everyday cream for skin that feels tight, stings easily or turns red. If you want a bigger tub, Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream is a calming panthenol cream for dry, sensitive skin.

For dry, irritated patches: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ is a soothing repair balm with panthenol and centella. Use a thin layer on dry, rough patches, around the nose during a cold, or as the last step at night when your skin feels raw.

Sunscreen: COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream

COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream is a moisturising SPF50 with aloe vera. It is a gentle choice for skin that feels hot or irritated.

For the body: Aveeno Moisturizing Cream

Aveeno Moisturizing Cream 500ml is an oat-rich, fragrance-free daily cream for dry, sensitive skin on the body. Apply it within a few minutes of bathing, while skin is still a little damp. For little ones, Aveeno Baby Daily Care Gentle Bath and Wash is a gentle daily wash for dry, sensitive baby skin.

These cost roughly KSh 950 to KSh 2,850, and the cleanser and body cream are large sizes that last.

How to try a new product safely

Patch test first. Apply a small amount to the side of your jaw or behind your ear once a day for three to five days. If there is no itching, burning or bumps, use it on your face. Add one product at a time and wait about two weeks before the next one, so you know exactly what your skin likes.

A calm daily routine

Morning

1. Rinse with lukewarm water, or a small amount of Sensibio if you feel oily.
2. Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream.
3. COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream.

Night

1. Wash with Bioderma Sensibio.
2. Toner, if you use one.
3. Barrier cream, with Cicaplast on any dry or irritated patches.

Keep water lukewarm, not hot, and pat skin dry with a soft towel. The dry season is hard on sensitive skin, so read our dry season skin barrier guide when the cold, dusty months arrive.

Questions we get asked

What is the best moisturiser for sensitive skin in Kenya?

Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream is our first choice for the face. On a budget, Simple Kind to Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser is a gentle option. For the body, Aveeno Moisturizing Cream is oat-rich and fragrance-free.

Which soap is good for sensitive skin?

For the face, skip bar soap and use a soap-free wash like Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant. For the body, a mild bar such as Dove Original is gentler than most ordinary bath soaps.

Is Aveeno good for eczema?

Aveeno Moisturizing Cream is a fragrance-free, oat-rich daily cream that many people with eczema-prone skin use between flares. It is not a treatment for a flare, so see a doctor if skin is cracked, weeping or very itchy.

Can I use Korean skincare on sensitive skin?

Yes. Many Korean products are built around calming ingredients like centella, heartleaf and panthenol. Patch test first and add one product at a time.

How do I know if I have sensitive skin?

If your skin often stings, burns, itches or turns red after products, or reacts to sun, heat and wind, it is likely sensitive. Long-lasting rashes or patches should be checked by a doctor.

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Shop everything gentle on our sensitive skin page, or see the full Aveeno range. You may also like our guides to the best face moisturiser in Kenya, the best sunscreen in Kenya and the best toner in Kenya. Pay on delivery with M-Pesa or cash, with same-day delivery in Nairobi before 5pm.