Sensitive skin can be a challenging canvas to work with, especially when aiming for a flawless makeup look. Many who struggle with sensitive, combination skin often experience breakouts, redness, and irritation, making it hard to find products that truly work. But don’t worry, because with the right routine and products, you can achieve a glowing, healthy complexion without compromising your skin’s health.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through a complete skincare routine for sensitive skin and offer you a step-by-step guide to creating the perfect soft glam look. Inspired by insights from a top makeup expert, Sydney Sweeney, this routine is perfect for those who have struggled with sensitive skin, ensuring a makeup look that lasts all day without irritation.
Understanding Sensitive Skin: The Basics
Sensitive skin is characterized by its tendency to react negatively to external factors, including skincare products, environmental conditions, and makeup. Common symptoms include redness, dryness, rashes, and breakouts. Combination skin, which can be oily in some areas and dry in others, adds another layer of complexity. Finding the right balance between hydration and oil control is crucial.
Sydney Sweeney, known for her sensitive combination skin, shares her years-long journey to finding products that work. “Growing up, my skin was all over the place,” she says. Like many people with sensitive skin, she struggled with cystic acne and was self-conscious about her complexion. After years of trial and error, she finally found the right balance between skincare and makeup, resulting in a flawless soft glam look.
Step 1: A Gentle, Balanced Cleansing Routine
One of the most important steps in any skincare routine is cleansing. For sensitive skin, harsh cleansers can strip away natural oils, causing irritation and redness. On the flip side, failing to cleanse properly can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
Sydney found success by mixing an exfoliant with a gel cleanser, a unique technique that worked for her combination skin. By exfoliating gently and using a gel-based cleanser, she maintains a clean, refreshed face without over-drying it. “If I don’t mix an exfoliant and a gel cleanser, my skin doesn’t let makeup sit on my face,” she explains.
Here’s a breakdown of what to look for in your cleansers:
- Exfoliator: Use a gentle exfoliant that won’t irritate the skin. Look for products that contain natural, non-abrasive ingredients like lactic acid or fruit enzymes.
- Gel Cleanser: A gel-based cleanser works wonders for combination skin as it cleans thoroughly without leaving the skin dry.
Step 2: Nourish Your Skin with Serums
After cleansing, the skin needs hydration and protection before makeup application. Serums are great for this step, providing a concentrated dose of nutrients and moisture.
Sydney swears by the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, a vitamin C-rich formula that hydrates and protects the skin from environmental damage. This serum helps to prepare the skin before makeup, ensuring a smooth and healthy base. “I always put a serum on that kind of helps soak in all of the skincare products before I put on my makeup to protect my skin from the makeup,” she notes.
Look for a serum that:
- Contains Vitamin C: It brightens the skin and provides antioxidants that protect against free radicals.
- Has calming ingredients: Sensitive skin benefits from soothing ingredients like niacinamide, which reduces inflammation and redness.
Step 3: Eye Cream for Bright, Refreshed Eyes
Eye cream is essential for addressing dryness and puffiness under the eyes, two common concerns for those with sensitive skin. Sydney mentions that she recently started using eye cream and has seen a noticeable difference.
The delicate skin around the eyes is prone to irritation, so choose a lightweight, fragrance-free formula designed specifically for sensitive skin. Ingredients like caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and peptides can help reduce puffiness, hydrate, and smooth fine lines.
Sydney also shares a personal anecdote about skincare mishaps during her teenage years: “When I was in 10th grade, I tried to put toothpaste all over my face because I read somewhere that if you put toothpaste on your face, it would make your acne go away, and I had the worst reaction you could possibly have.” This story highlights the importance of choosing the right products for sensitive skin!
Step 4: Moisturize to Lock in Hydration
The next crucial step is moisturizing, and for sensitive, combination skin, finding the right product is essential. Sydney uses a face cream that helps her skin retain makeup throughout the day. “I like using a nice, generous dab,” she says. Moisturizing ensures that the skin stays hydrated without becoming overly greasy, and it creates a smooth surface for makeup application.
Key points to consider when choosing a moisturizer:
- Hydrating but non-greasy: Look for moisturizers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which hydrates without adding oil.
- Fragrance-free: Added fragrances can irritate sensitive skin, so always opt for products without them.
- Lightweight yet rich: Sensitive skin needs moisture, but a heavy cream can cause breakouts. A balance between hydration and oil control is key.
Step 5: Sunscreen is a Must!
Sunscreen is often overlooked, especially for those with sensitive skin who may have had bad experiences with breakouts or irritation from SPF products. However, skipping sunscreen is not an option, as sun damage can exacerbate sensitivity, cause premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Sydney admits she avoided sunscreen for years because it would break her out, but she eventually found a product that works for her. “This is the only sunscreen that I have found that doesn’t break me out,” she shares. Sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays and keeping it healthy in the long run.
Here’s what to look for in a sunscreen for sensitive skin:
- Mineral-based formulas: These tend to be less irritating than chemical sunscreens and sit on top of the skin, reflecting UV rays.
- Non-comedogenic: This ensures that the sunscreen won’t clog your pores and lead to breakouts.
- SPF 30 or higher: Ensure you’re getting adequate protection.
Step 6: Soft Glam Makeup for Sensitive Skin
Now that your skincare routine is set, let’s move on to the fun part—makeup! A soft glam look is perfect for those with sensitive skin, as it focuses on enhancing your natural beauty with a light, glowing finish. Sydney walks us through her soft glam routine, starting with a mattifying primer, and we’ll break down the steps below.
Primer for a Flawless Base
Sensitive skin can become oily throughout the day, so starting with a primer helps to keep the makeup in place. Sydney prefers the Tart Poreless Primer, which is mattifying and helps control shine. “I tend to use a lot of mattifying products,” she explains.
A mattifying primer:
- Controls oil: Keeps your makeup from sliding off throughout the day.
- Minimizes pores: Gives you a smooth base, especially for combination skin.
- Avoids adding extra shine: Ideal for those who want a matte finish.
Foundation: Buildable Coverage
For foundation, Sydney uses IL Makiage, which she applies lightly with a beauty blender to control the coverage. “I start from the bottom and build up,” she says. This technique allows you to achieve your desired coverage without applying too much product at once.
For sensitive skin, look for a foundation that is:
- Non-comedogenic: This prevents clogging pores and causing breakouts.
- Buildable: Allows you to adjust the coverage to your liking.
- Hypoallergenic: Reduces the chances of irritation.
Concealer: Brightening and Spot Coverage
Sydney uses two concealers—Glossier Stretch Concealer for under the eyes and NARS Concealer for covering redness or spots. She applies a brightening eye cream before concealer to prevent it from turning gray, a common issue when covering dark circles.
The goal is to brighten the under-eye area and cover blemishes without irritating the skin.
Blush and Contour: Natural and Glowy
For a soft, sun-kissed glow, Sydney uses Glossier Cloud Paint, focusing on her cheeks, nose, and forehead. She loves how natural it looks and how it adds color without looking overdone. A soft contour using Charlotte Tilbury’s contour and highlight palette enhances the cheekbones and adds definition.
Key blush and contour tips for sensitive skin:
- Cream blush: It blends seamlessly without drying out the skin.
- Contour lightly: Avoid heavy contouring, especially if you have sensitive skin, as too many products can clog pores.
Finishing Touches: Eyes and Lips
For her eyes, Sydney uses a brown eyeliner for a softer look and finishes with Maybelline Sky High Mascara for long, fluttery lashes. She loves keeping her makeup simple and fresh.
On her lips, Sydney mixes Charlotte Tilbury lip liner with Clarins lip oil for a fuller, natural lip look. This combination is perfect for sensitive lips, as it provides hydration while enhancing the lips’ natural shape.
Final Thoughts: Confidence and Consistency
At the end of the day, skincare and makeup are personal journeys. Sydney emphasizes the importance of self-love and confidence, stating, “I wish that I could tell my 16, self-conscious self that it’s just a journey, and just love yourself more than what your skin tells you.”
Achieving the perfect skincare routine and soft glam look requires consistency, but with patience and the right products, sensitive skin can be transformed into a radiant, healthy canvas. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to glowing, beautiful skin that looks and feels its best!