The best face cleansers for sensitive skin

Dry, painful, itchy – sensitive skin can be trying enough, not least when the products aimed at those of a more sensitive disposition often have more of a whiff of the medicine cabinet, than the dressing table, about them.

It can be tempting to pare a skincare regime down to the very basics, but there's a growing range of products and brands that caters specifically to such conditions. It's always trial and error with these things, so for first-timers, a discreet patch test is advisable instead of a liberal dousing...

Scent-free shower/bath gel

£9.95, greenpeople.co.uk

Made with 75 per cent certified organic ingredients, this foaming gel eschews essential oils and is a great all-rounder that is safe for all the family.

Skin relief with cooling menthol

£7.50, Aveeno, boots.com

Inflamed skin is often painfully itchy, too – the colloidal oatmeal in this rich balm will help to comfort, while cooling menthol will soothe the accompanying burn.

Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief soothing treatment lotion

£26, Dr Weil for Origins, origins.co.uk

Toners loaded with alcohol and astringents are usually a no-no for sensitive-skin sufferers, but this gentle formulation soothes redness and hydrates.

Instant skin soothing serum

£45.50, aromatherapyassociates.com

Essential oils can trigger a reaction in some skin types so exercise caution, but prebiotics will build the skin's natural barrier while arnica and camomile calm irritated, angry skin.

Barrier repair

£36.50, dermalogica.co.uk

By increasing the skin's natural barrier, this waterless moisturiser can help block irritants in the environment that lead to inflammation.