Sensitive skin saviours: A round-up of our favourite gentle skincare products
When your skincare routine needs to be simple yet effective.
Perhaps the hormones associated with pregnancy and new motherhood have caused your skin to be more sensitive than it was prior to having children, or maybe you’ve always been prone to dry skin or redness?
If your skin needs some gentle care, there’s a whole range of products that will hydrate and moisturise without causing irritation.
And if, like most mums, you no longer have the luxury you once had of a long step-by-step skincare routine, you are going to want some key products that are not only easy to apply but effective too.
You’ll also want to be filling your bathroom with products that are safe for the whole family to use, including those that are formulated especially for your baby’s delicate skin.
Our favourite family-friendly products for sensitive skin
SunSense Comfort SPF 50+, RRP $14.99
Help protect your skin with this lightweight, non-greasy broad spectrum sunscreen. Great for everyday use, SunSense Comfort SPF 50+ has a dry touch finish and contains moisturising Vitamin B3 (Nicotinamide). Australian made and owned, this product has been dermatologically tested on sensitive skin.
SOOV Cream, RRP $9.99
SOOV Cream is your go-to for instant relief. This soothing antiseptic cream tackles pain and keeps cuts, grazes, minor burns, scalds, and sunburn in check while helping to prevent infections. Plus, it’s free from lanolin and parabens, so it’s super gentle on your skin. Perfect for both kids and adults!
SunSense Lip Balm SPF 50+, RRP $5.95
Keep your lips safe and protected with SunSense Lip Balm SPF 50+. This balm offers UVA and UVB protection, is perfect for all skin types, and stays effective for up to 4 hours in the water. Infused with moisturising Vitamin E and cocoa butter, it glides on smoothly for even coverage.
Plus, it’s free from preservatives and lanolin, dermatologically tested, and proudly Australian made.
DermaGen by Botanical Chemist Manuka Oil Balm, RRP $29.95
Blending antiseptic and soothing oils, this balm is gentle yet effective on open or broken skin. Unlike Manuka Honey, our balm offers superior absorption, delivering concentrated healing directly to affected areas without stickiness or risk of allergies.
Ideal for various skin conditions like eczema, acne, and sun damage, it’s suitable for all ages – even pets! Whether it’s dryness, irritation, or minor wounds, Manuka Oil Balm provides advanced repair and rejuvenation.
Natralus Australia My Little One Comforting Touch Massage Oil, RRP $16.95
Infused with love and natural ingredients, this nourishing oil is designed to provide gentle care and relaxation for your precious little one.
Enriched with paw paw, Rosehip oil, Jojoba oil, and Calendula, Natralus Australia My Little One Comforting Massage Oil fosters a loving bond while promoting relaxation and healthier skin.
It’s also perfect for pre and post-pregnancy massages to help prevent stretch marks and maintain skin health.
Dermal Therapy Little Bodies Eczema Relief Cream, RRP $14.99
Looking for the perfect solution to soothe your little one’s eczema? Dermal Therapy Little Bodies Eczema Relief Cream is specifically formulated for baby and children’s delicate skin.
With its 5% colloidal oatmeal, this Australian-made gem is gentle yet effective, relieving itching and irritation associated with mild eczema.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, RRP $21.99
Recommended by dermatologists as a daily gentle cleanser for even the most sensitive skin. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is formulated without the use of any soaps and is fragrance free, whilst still effectively cleansing your skin and removing makeup.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser has been conveniently formulated so it can be used with or without water. If applying with water, start with damp skin. Using the handy pump lid, apply a pea-sized amount of Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser to your hand and gently massage into your skin.
Speially formulated for your little one’s delicate skin is Cetaphil Baby Moisturising Bath and Wash. This gentle, soap-free formula with soothing Aloe Vera rinses easily, leaving their skin feeling clean with a soft scent.
Childs Farm 3 In 1 Swim Strawberry & Organic Mint 250ml, $10
Childs Farm 3-in-1 shampoo, conditioner, and body wash combines a lovely strawberry scent with organic mint. Ideal for post-swim use, it rinses away chlorine, leaving both skin and hair clean.
Safe for newborns and up, this product is approved by dermatologists and paediatricians for sensitive skin and is also suitable for those prone to eczema.
DermaGen by Botanical Chemist Skin Recovery Lotion, RRP $36.95
DermaGen by Botanical Chemist Skin Recovery Lotion is a lotion meticulously crafted for those battling eczema, dermatitis, acne, or the effects of radiation.
This Recovery Lotion contains hydrolysed Marine Collagen to stimulate the synthesis of collagen, critical for healthy and softer skin. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast braving the sun’s UV rays or undergoing radiation treatment, this Australian-made lotion is your ally in skin repair and renewal.
(Image: DermaGen by Botanical Chemist)
QV Gentle Wash, 1kg, RRP $30
QV Gentle Wash is a gentle, moisturising soap-free wash is perfect for dry and sensitive skin and ideal for hand, face and body.
After bath time, QV Baby Skin Lotion is a soothing, light moisturiser that helps relieve your little ones dry skin. QV Baby Skin Lotion is suitable for use every day and with sensitive skin or dry skin conditions.
ManukaRx Pro-Aging Ritual skincare set, RRP $192.75
Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, ManukaRx’s range of Pro-Aging skincare has been bundled up in the Pro-Aging Ritual set.
Made with the powerful and synergistic blend of New Zealand East Cape mānuka oil and rosehip oil, these key ingredients, rich with anti-aging, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant properties work effortlessly to boost collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, naturally.
The Pro-Aging Ritual includes:
50ml x Pro-Aging Day Cream;
Pro-Aging Night Cream
20ml x Pro-Aging Skin Oil; Pro-Aging Eye Cream
120ml x Pro-Aging Cream Cleanser
GAIA Skin Naturals Skin Oil, $24.95
Enriched with organic Camellia oil, a source of essential fatty acids to help hydrate and alleviate dry skin and itchiness. Organic Jojoba & Rosehip oils help to smooth the skin and improve the overall appearance of new and existing stretch marks.
Lightweight and non-greasy, the GAIA Naturals Skin Oil is naturally and subtly scented with a signature blend of Pink Grapefruit and Bergamot oils. Suitable for all skin types.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Balm, RRP $24.95
Ideal for sensitive skin, La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast Baume B5 Balm has a rich, moisturising texture that is easy to apply and suitable for the whole family.
Dermatologically tested, it’s also fragrance and lanolin free and can be used to soothe dry or rough patches of skin and to reduce redness.
Natralus Australia My Little One Gentle Cleanse Shampoo & Body Wash, RRP $14.90
Gently cleanse your baby’s sensitive skin and delicate hair with the Natralus Australia My Little One Gentle Cleanse Shampoo & Body Wash. The soap-free formula is made with fresh fermented paw paw and is gentle and suitable for eczema-prone skin.
It’s also free from artificial fragrance, certified toxic-free, mineral oil-free, sulfate-free, and paraben-free.
Dermal Therapy Little Bodies Eczema Wash & Shampoo, RRP $12.99
Dermal Therapy Little Bodies Eczema Wash & Shampoo is a gentle moisturiwing formula, clinically proven to be non-irritating. It contains colloidal oatmeal to help manage itching, irritation, redness, and flaking skin associated with eczema. This product is soap-free, sulfate-free, pH balanced, and hypoallergenic.
For use in between your baby’s nappy changes, Dermal Therapy Little Bodies Nappy Balm offers both protection and repair for your baby’s delicate skin between nappy changes.
Luk Beautifood, Instant Glow Skin Tinted Complexion Balm, RRP $45
This nourishing skin tint instantly revives tired, dull and stressed skin, restoring radiance and balancing skin tone by seamlessly blending, blurring and smoothing for a natural no-makeup finish and healthy glow.
Instant Glow Skin Tint is lightweight, breathable and perfect for all skin types, even the most sensitive, mature and acne-prone. Non-greasy non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic.
Lucas’ Papaw Ointment gift pack, RRP $75.99
This iconic healing product was created in Brisbane in 1910 by Dr T.P Lucas and now has a cult following around the world.
The thick, amber ointment can be used as all-purpose beauty balm for its ability to heal and gloss lips, smooth fly-away brows and add a dewy highlight along the brow line or cheeks.
The healing enzymes in papaw work to reduce and relieve symptoms of minor skin wounds and help soothe inflamed, chapped, or broken skin.
Lucas’ Papaw Remedies is available in four sizes from supermarkets, pharmacies and online. The gift pack (pictured) is available online at Lucas Pawpaw.
Scholl Expert Care Exfoliating Heel Peel, RRP $16
The Scholl Expert Care Exfoliating Heel Peel is an exfoliating heel peel that leaves you with visibly softer and smoother skin after just one application. Containing AHAs to help gently remove dead skin, the Heel Peel requires no filing and scrubbing with results lasting up to four weeks.
John Plunkett’s Superfade Face Treatment Cream, RRP $29.99
SuperFade Face Treatment Cream is a medicated, pharmacy strength skin treatment to help fade pigmentation, such as brown skin blemishes including freckles and age spots on the face.
It contains a powerful active ingredient Hydroquinone (2%), for fighting pigmentation at the source.
You should see effective results in 6 weeks.
Trilogy Very Gentle Calming Serum, $31.46
A dermatologically tested, calming, fragrance-free SOS serum delivering immediate hydration and comfort from irritation while gently smoothing your skin’s appearance.
Antioxidant rich maqui berry and green tea provide soothing and hydrating relief whilst helping to fight free radical damage.
QV Face Nurturing Night Cream, RRP $24.99
Containing safflower oil, QV’s night cream replenishes lost moisture, visibly improving your skin’s elasticity and helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Used nightly, you can wake up to visibly firmer, smoother and more radiant looking skin.
Contains vitamin B3 complex, which helps reduce skin sensitivity. Provides a protective barrier to help reduce moisture loss during the night. This night cream is also pH-balanced, low irritant formulation, free from fragrance, colour, lanolin and propylene glycol.
GAIA SKIN + BODY Nipple Balm, $12.95
GAIA Nipple Balm is a nourishing balm to moisturise, soothe and protect sore cracked nipples.
Apply it during pregnancy to prepare your nipples for the demands of breastfeeding and, once your little bundle of joy has arrived, you can use it after each feed to make sure the nipple area is in a good condition for them to latch onto.
The GAIA SKIN + BODY Nipple Balm is made from organic sunflower oil, organic avocado oil, organic jojoba oil and organic calendula oil and is completely free from lanolin, petrochemicals and mineral oil.
These natural ingredients mean that there is no need to rinse before feeding.
GAIA SKIN + BODY Belly Butter, RRP $18
Deeply moisturising and nourishing, it contains cocoa butter and organic shea butter, both well known for replenishing skin’s vital moisture, maintaining suppleness and reducing the possibility and appearance of stretchmarks. It also contains wheat germ and organic rosehip, both rich sources of vitamins good for dry and itchy skin to help support skin elasticity.
Lightly and naturally scented with GAIA’s unique blend of essential oils recommended for use during pregnancy (mandarin, tangerine and frankincense), this butter helps to smooth lines and scars, improving the overall appearance of the skin.
Weleda Calendula Body Lotion, RRP $28.95
Weleda Calendula Body Lotion is a body moisturiser for delicate skin. The fast-absorbing lotion has a milky texture, and contains calendula and chamomile extracts to protect skin from the drying effects of the environment. It is NATRUE certified organic and free from synthetic ingredients.
Free from synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colourants or raw materials derived from mineral oils, Weleda Calendula Body Lotion is dermatologically proven to be very skin-friendly, even on sensitive skin.
