Ingredients Sensitive Skin Should Avoid, and How to Spot Them
"My skin just feels irritated for no reason." "This new product stings." If you have sensitive skin, a handful of specific ingredients are often the culprit. They don't bother everyone, but knowing the usual suspects gives you a head start when choosing products. Here's a rundown, along with how to spot them on a label.
Ingredients that commonly trigger reactions
- Fragrance: Fragrance / Parfum, and essential oils. One of the most common causes of irritation and allergic reactions in sensitive skin. Even "fragrance-free" products can contain scent compounds from plant extracts.
- Sulfate cleansers: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) / Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) / Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate. Strong cleansing agents that can strip away needed moisture and leave skin feeling tight.
- Drying alcohols: Alcohol Denat. / SD Alcohol / Ethanol. Give a refreshing feel but can lead to dryness and stinging (fatty alcohols like cetyl alcohol are a different category and actually moisturize).
- Harsh preservatives: Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) / Methylchloroisothiazolinone. Frequently linked to contact dermatitis.
- High-concentration acids: High strengths of Glycolic Acid / Salicylic Acid. Effective for exfoliation, but easily irritating when skin is already reactive.
Patch-test tip: Apply a small amount of a new product to the inside of your arm and wait 24–48 hours before using it on your face. Introduce one new product at a time so you can pinpoint the cause if something reacts.
Why check the label even on "for sensitive skin" products
Claims like "for sensitive skin" or "gentle" aren't standardized, and products bearing them can still contain the ingredients above. Checking the actual INCI (ingredient list) rather than trusting the logo or marketing copy is the reliable approach — and it works the same way even for imported or Korean beauty products where the label language differs.
See at a glance which ingredients irritate your skin
Pure Decode Skin scans your ingredient label with your camera. Set your skin type and it names the ingredients that are likely to trigger sensitive skin.
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