9 best moisturisers for sensitive skin, starting from just £5

Score: 83/100

Our joint winning moisturiser is a weightless gel that turns to liquid on your face for quick absorption. Packaged in an easy-to-use tube with a natural lavender scent that doesn't irritate, it left testers with non-sticky, non-greasy skin that felt smoother and more hydrated.

It scored highest for immediate hydration in the lab, and most testers enjoyed a long-lasting improvement in the condition of their skin. By the end of the trial, over half the panel said their complexion was less sensitive than before, with almost all testers agreeing that any irritation felt soothed. Though pricey, a little went a long way.

Score: 83/100

Even those with ultra-sensitive skin should find solace in this mild, fragrance-free cream. The hygienic pump packaging made it easy to dispense without mess or wastage, and our testers found its soft, lightweight texture gentle to slather on.

No one experienced any adverse reaction and it curbed sensitivity for everybody, including more severe cases. It instantly calmed burning and tingling too and performed best for long-lasting hydration in the lab.

Score: 83/100

Our final joint winner was the panel’s favourite – they awarded it full marks for consistency and ease of application. Not at all greasy or sticky, it scored highly overall, coming out on top for reducing redness, smoothing dry patches and providing relief from sensitivity — both immediately and long term.

It didn't perform quite as well in the lab, with a third of testers seeing a reduction in their sensitivity classification level. However, some saw improvements in the appearance of pores and wrinkles.

Score: 82/100

If your skin feels tight and fragile, try using this moisturiser either daily or as a rescue treatment. It is fragranced (a subtle lemony, cucumber scent), but it offers immediate relief from irritation, sufficiently soothing and softening skin.

It has a velvety texture that sinks in quickly, providing a radiant, plumped complexion that instantly felt more hydrated — and it even helped with fine lines.

Score: 80/100

Those with normal-to-dry skin should consider using this serum-like lotion to keep sensitivity at bay. Our testers liked its silky formulation, featuring soothing and strengthening hyaluronic acid and ceramides, and its faff-free pump packaging.

It’s unscented and spreads easily, with the majority of our panel enjoying an immediate calming sensation. Despite its lightweight texture, it left skin softer, with more glowing complexions.

Score: 80/100

This pump cream claims to visibly reduce redness overnight while also soothing discomfort for sensitive skin. Our testers appreciated how well it sunk in, without any trace of stickiness or greasiness.

They also loved the positive effect it had on their skin’s texture, with some noticing a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The hydrating results were long-lasting, with the majority of testers saying it relieved the feeling of tightness, too.

Score: 79/100

This high-end cream is packed with replenishing peptides and ceramides to strengthen the skin. Our testers found its packaging attractive but found the glass pot too heavy for travelling and wished there was a spatula for more hygienic dispensing.

That aside, they praised its soft, non-greasy texture, with the vast majority agreeing that it immediately improved the appearance of dry patches and redness. It left skin looking brighter and healthier overall, and several testers said they planned to use it as a primer for makeup, thanks to its smoothing, hydrating effect.

Score: 78/100

This fragrance-free moisturiser claims to instantly calm and rebalance stressed skin by harnessing the power of organic hemp seed oil. It raised eyebrows at first, with testers finding it difficult to dispense the cream from the bottle.

But, despite a watery consistency, our panel found it lightweight and refreshing to apply. It melted into their skin without leaving a sticky residue, making it a good choice for layering under other skincare products.

Several testers noticed a visible reduction in the appearance of fine lines around their eyes, while one commented on their smaller pores. It failed to nourish their driest areas deeply enough but left skin looking smooth and healthy overall.

Score: 72/100

French pharmacy skincare is famously effective and loved by beauty insiders. Brands like La Roche-Posay reign supreme over the mid-budget, sensitive-skin-friendly category, and the brand’s Effaclar Duo is a cult classic for its mattifying-yet-hydrating effect.

Combining a spot cream and a moisturiser, it’s perfect for blemish-prone skin that's on the sensitive side. This is a new and improved version, with the ‘+M’ in the name denoting a microbiome-balancing ingredient that helps strengthen the skin barrier.

One tester told us it was one of the best moisturisers they’d ever used, while others praised the smell and lack of greasiness, saying their skin looked healthier even after a few days. Almost everyone said it diminished the appearance of their breakouts, living up to La Roche’s trusted reputation.