10 Best Products for Sensitive Skin in 2022

Having sensitive skin can be a tiresome, perennial issue for people affected by it. But now with products available on the market that use sophisticated solutions and nourishing ingredients, consumers can keep skin issues like blemishes, itchiness, redness, and dryness at bay.

In this article, we will look at the at-home skincare trend that is influencing the skincare industry. We will then explore the global skincare products market, analyzing market size, segment distribution, and prospects for future market growth. The article will then focus on the best products recommended for sensitive skin that retailers should stock in 2022.

Table of Contents
How at-home skincare is transforming the skincare industry
Overview of the global skincare products market
Popular skincare products for sensitive skin in 2022
Have more skin in the game

How at-home skincare is transforming the skincare industry

Lockdowns and the strengthening of work-from-home or hybrid-office revolutions have led to a transformation in consumer behavior across many industries, including skincare. With more time being spent at home, consumers are looking for product solutions that they can easily apply at home with limited complexity.

Social media and YouTube have also led to the proliferation of at-home skincare routines, with social media influencers or celebrities sharing their favorite skin regimens and recommending products.

For retailers, this means that products need to be both easily accessible and “applicable” for at-home users. There is a growing market for treatments that consumers would have typically gone to dermatologists or skin clinics for to have their at-home product alternatives, such as chemical peels, dermaplaning, and cryotherapy.

Another factor to be aware of within this trend is that consumers are also seeking out natural or organic treatments for their skincare. Retailers should stock products that use natural solutions, avoiding artificial elements such as fragrances, sulfates, dyes, and alcohol. These are also ingredients that tend to have negative effects on sensitive skin.

Overview of the global skincare products market

Precedence Research reports that the global skincare products market size was estimated to be valued at US$ 135.85 billion in 2021. It is projected that this market size will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% to reach US$ 204.62 billion by the end of the 2021-2030 forecast period.

Statista reports that several factors are driving the growth of the market, including:

A shift in consumer demand from older consumers to younger ones
Increasing demand for natural and organic products
The growing popularity of anti-aging products (particularly in the US market)
Increased demand for hand sanitizers and cleaning agents

Skincare has long been gendered with female consumers making up most of the consumer base, but times are changing and this is reflected in the projected 5% CAGR the male segment is expected to register from 2022 to 2030. The major driver of this growth is increased awareness regarding personal hygiene and regular grooming among males, as well as celebrity endorsements.

In terms of product distribution, face creams and moisturizers are estimated to hold the largest revenue share, having generated over 40% of the revenue in 2021. Geographically, Asia Pacific holds the largest revenue share at 35%, with China, Japan, and South Korea making significant contributions not only to the regional but global market.

Popular skincare products for sensitive skin in 2022

1. Calming face creams

Woman with acne applying face cream

Calming face creams are typically non-greasy creams that can provide immediate and lasting moisturization benefits for dry skin. Their solutions serve to calm sensitive skin and help with reducing redness and irritation.

These face creams aid with the repair and replenishment of the natural and essential protective barrier of the skin. The best formulations come fortified with anti-irritants and skin comforters like aloe that calm the skin while hydrating it.

2. Soothing body washes

Sensitive skin treatments can also be applied during the normal body washing process in the form of body washes that are designed to have soothing effects. Soothing body washes offer the skin a healing layer that helps to calm redness and reverse tightness.

While also removing dirt, oil, and bacteria, soothing body washes provide dry and itchy skin with relief. They can be formulated from natural soothers, such as oat extract and aloe, which help to nourish the skin. Fragrance-free or dye-free versions are also popular among consumers.

3. Micellar cleansing water

Person holding bottle of micellar cleansing water

Micellar cleansing water is composed of purified water, hydrating ingredients like glycerin, and low concentrations of mild surface-active agents. The combined formula acts like magnets by attracting makeup, trapped debris, and oils, thus helping in the skin-cleansing process.

Good cleansing waters are effective at helping to draw impurities from the skin without having to scrub or rinse it. They also typically do not contain alcohol and work great for acne-prone skin types.

4. Dry skin body lotions

Lotions are an essential part of maintaining healthy skin, and those specifically formulated for dry skin are capable of providing hydration through fast-absorbing formulas.

Dry-skin lotions will also make the skin more supple while soothing dry limbs and rough hands without leaving greasiness. Consumers also seek out fragrance- and alcohol-free options.

5. Skin repair balms or salves

Skin repair balms or salves are popular among consumers looking to restore the condition of their skin and repair sunburn, stretch marks, or acne marks.

These balms contain anti-inflammatory ingredients and nutrient-rich botanicals that soothe and hydrate the skin. Natural ingredients such as glycerin and tea tree are popular in formulations for these products.

6. Roughness relief spot treatments

Person applying skin treatment with a nozzle

Roughness relief spot treatments provide targeted treatment to specific regions of the skin using a precise nozzle. Rough and scaly patches can be dissolved with powerful emollients and gentle exfoliators.

These spot treatments work best for problem areas such as hands, elbows, heels, and knees. Consumers seek out versions with replenishing natural ingredients such as rice essence, chamomile, and shea butter.

7. Soothing serums

Soothing serums help to restore moisture to skin that is dry, tight, or irritated. They use hyaluronic acid, which supports the skin’s moisture retention.

These serums are ideal for soothing sun-damaged, post-waxed, or post-procedure skin. The best soothing serums contain powerful ceramides or hydrating ingredients such as chamomile, algae, shea butter, or jojoba oil.

8. Foaming facial cleansers

Young woman applying foaming facial cleanser

Foaming facial cleansers offer deep-cleaning benefits for consumers with oily or acne-prone skin. The best products help to remove excess debris and oil from the skin without harming the skin barrier.

These cleansers should have moisture-replenishing properties using formulations that include ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. Natural ingredients such as oat extracts, white and green tea extracts, aloe, and honey help to restore sensitive and irritated skin.

9. Color-correcting treatments

Person applying color-correcting concealer to a scarred area

For consumers who suffer from redness, discoloration, or hyperpigmentation, color-correcting treatments help to even out the skin tone. They provide a balanced complexion by either concealing, blending, or neutralizing problem areas.

These color-correcting treatments can come in the form of powders, creams, or serums. The different products can range from under-eye correctors and concealers to brightening serums and blenders.

10. Pore-minimizing toners

Enlarged pores are a common skincare issue, leading to dry and dead skin. Pore-minimizing toners help to alleviate this by decongesting pores and tightening them.

Consumers are typically looking for multi-tasking products that minimize pores while either brightening the skin, plumping it, or helping it detoxify and exfoliate.

Have more skin in the game

The global skincare market is expected to expand over the next few years. While the work-from-home revolution has negatively affected a number of industries, when it comes to the skincare industry, a large proportion of consumers have switched from seeking in-clinic to at-home skincare treatments.

This means that there is a significant consumer base, particularly those with sensitive skin that are seeking out treatment alternatives that they can apply at home to keep their skin healthy. The following are the best sensitive skin products beauty retailers should consider stocking in 2022: