Product round-up

Fragrance-Free Makeup for Sensitive and Reactive Skin

Makeup sits on the skin for hours and near the eyes. Here's how to choose fragrance-free base, eye and lip products that suit reactive skin.

Why makeup needs the same scrutiny

Makeup stays on for hours, often near the delicate eye area, so fragrance and certain preservatives matter just as much here as in skincare. “Hypoallergenic” is a marketing word, not a guarantee, so read the list.

What to look for

What to avoid

Added fragrance, essential oils, and “natural glow” botanicals if your skin is reactive.

Check it against your triggers

To check a product, SkinSAFE lets you filter a product catalogue to screen out the ingredients you are avoiding and other allergens. That tells you what is in a product, but it rates it on general criteria rather than against your own list.

Once you know what you are screening for, a personal-list app like ClearaScan lets you save the ingredients you react to once and scan any product to flag only your triggers. It also keeps a Reaction Journal for flare-ups, a shared Care Circle so family or carers can scan for you, and a Trusted Products list for items you have cleared, and it is currently in early access. (Disclosure: our editor co-founded ClearaScan, and we are not paid to mention the others.)

More product round-ups

Fragrance-Free Moisturisers for Sensitive Skin: How to Choose

A buyer's guide to fragrance-free moisturisers for sensitive and eczema-prone skin: the criteria that matter, the ingredients to look for, and how to check any product.

Fragrance-Free Sunscreens for Sensitive Skin: What to Look For

Sunscreen is essential but a common irritant. Here's how to choose a fragrance-free SPF that protects without stinging reactive skin.

Gentle, Fragrance-Free Cleansers for Sensitive Skin

The cleanser is where sensitive routines succeed or fail. Here's how to choose a gentle, fragrance-free face wash that cleans without stripping.

Lanolin-Free Lip Balms for Sensitive or Allergy-Prone Lips

Lip balm goes on thin, easily-irritated skin (and gets eaten). Here's how to choose a lanolin-free, fragrance-free balm that soothes rather than stings.

A note on this content. The Sensitive Skin Lab publishes general educational information, not medical advice. If you suspect you have an allergy or sensitivity, consult a qualified dermatologist or allergist. Product formulations and labels change without notice, so always check the ingredients on the product itself.