5 Ingredients to watch for in skincare products for sensitive skin.
1. Drying alcohols – Alcohol Denat., Ethanol, SD Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol
These fast-evaporating alcohols can be drying and may sting when applied to already inflamed or cracked skin. They can potentially worsen irritation when the skin barrier is compromised.
Worth noting: not all alcohols are problematic — cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols commonly used to soften and moisturise skin.
2. Fragrance & essential oils – Parfum/Fragrance, Lavender, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Citrus oils etc.
Fragrance is a common source of irritation and contact allergy in sensitive skin. Essential oils may sound like the more “natural” option, but they contain naturally occurring fragrance compounds that can still irritate or sensitise eczema-prone skin.
3. Urea
Urea is actually an effective moisturising ingredient and can be very useful for extremely dry or thickened skin. However, urea-containing creams can sting when applied to inflamed, scratched or broken skin, making them less comfortable for some children during an eczema flare. Lower concentrations may be better tolerated.
4. Harsh surfactants – particularly Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Surfactants are the ingredients that help cleansers foam and remove oils and dirt. Stronger surfactants such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) can also remove some of the skin’s protective lipids, increasing dryness and irritation in an already compromised eczema barrier. Look for gentle, soap-free and fragrance-free cleansers instead.
Important distinction:Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is generally considered milder than SLS, so I wouldn’t group every “sulfate” together.
5. Certain preservatives – particularly Methylisothiazolinone (MI/MIT) & Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI/CMIT)
Preservatives are necessary in water-based skincare to prevent microbial growth, so preservatives themselves aren’t inherently bad. However, MI and MCI are well-recognised contact allergens and can be problematic for eczema-prone or sensitised skin. They’re particularly worth checking for in rinse-off products.
Eczema-prone skin has a weakened skin barrier, which means ingredients that are well tolerated by most people may sting or irritate your child’s skin. “Natural,” “gentle” and “for sensitive skin” on the front of the bottle don’t necessarily mean a product will suit every child — the ingredient list matters.