What Ingredients Should I Avoid With Sensitive Skin?

What Ingredients Should I Avoid With Sensitive Skin?

Sensitive skin can be challenging — it reacts easily, flushes often, and feels irritated by products that others use without issue. If you’ve ever felt stinging, burning, or redness after applying skincare, you’re not alone. The good news is that your skin can thrive beautifully when you learn which ingredients to avoid and which to embrace.

At Good Intent, we believe that healthy, glowing skin starts with pure, gentle ingredients. Our dermatologist-approved, COSMOS-certified skincare is designed for even the most delicate complexions — free from toxins, synthetic fragrances, and harsh chemicals that disrupt your skin’s natural balance.

1. Avoid Synthetic Fragrance and Parfum

One of the biggest irritants for sensitive skin is synthetic fragrance — often labeled simply as “parfum” or “fragrance.”
These can contain dozens of undisclosed chemicals that trigger allergic reactions, redness, or dermatitis.

Why avoid it:
Fragrance molecules penetrate the skin barrier and can inflame already-reactive skin, making sensitivity worse over time.

Look for instead:
Products labeled fragrance-free or those that use natural essential oils in minimal concentrations, like Good Intent’s vegan formulas — always gentle, never overpowering.

2. Say No to Alcohol (Denatured or SD Alcohol)

Alcohol can make a product feel lightweight, but it often strips your skin of moisture and damages your barrier — especially in toners, serums, and gels.

Why avoid it:
It increases trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), leading to dryness, flakiness, and more sensitivity.

Better alternative:
Hydrating ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera, or hyaluronic acid — all naturally soothing and found in Good Intent Clean Beauty products.

3. Stay Away from Sulfates (SLS and SLES)

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are common foaming agents in cleansers and shampoos.
While they create that satisfying lather, they also strip your skin of natural oils.

Why avoid it:
They disrupt your microbiome and can cause irritation, especially on dry or eczema-prone skin.

Gentle option:
Look for sulfate-free cleansers that maintain your skin’s pH balance, such as Good Intent’s botanical-based formulas powered by organic plant surfactants.

4. Avoid Harsh Preservatives (Parabens, Formaldehyde Releasers)

Parabens and formaldehyde-releasing agents (like DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea) are often used to extend shelf life but can sensitize the skin.

Why avoid it:
They’re linked to allergic contact dermatitis and hormonal disruption.

Clean beauty standard:
Good Intent uses COSMOS-approved natural preservatives, ensuring safety without irritation or toxicity.

5. Skip Essential Oils in High Concentrations

Even natural ingredients can be problematic when overused. Essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, or citrus oils can sting or cause redness in sensitive skin types.

Why avoid it:
These oils contain volatile compounds that can trigger irritation or allergic reactions.

Look for balance:
Good Intent formulations use plant extracts and non-reactive oils in skin-friendly concentrations for a soothing, aromatic experience without the flare-ups.

6. Avoid Artificial Dyes and Colorants

Artificial colorants (listed as FD&C or CI numbers) add visual appeal but serve no skin benefit.

Why avoid it:
They can clog pores and lead to inflammation, especially in rosacea or reactive skin.

Good Intent’s choice:
Our minimalist formulas are color-free and non-comedogenic, letting your natural radiance shine.

7. Watch Out for Retinol and Strong Acids

While powerful, ingredients like retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid can be too aggressive for sensitive skin.

Why avoid it:
They increase skin cell turnover but can cause peeling, redness, and burning sensations.

Gentle alternative:
Opt for bakuchiol — a plant-based retinol alternative — and mild exfoliants like lactic acid from natural sources, which support renewal without irritation.

🌿 The Clean Beauty Approach for Sensitive Skin

At Good Intent, we formulate with intention and integrity — no hidden ingredients, no greenwashing.
Our products are:

  • COSMOS Eco-Certified

  • Vegan and cruelty-free

  • Free from toxins, synthetic fragrance, and parabens

  • Packaged sustainably in recyclable PET bottles

Your skin deserves care that’s kind, conscious, and clean.
If you have sensitive or allergy-prone skin, choose products that work with your skin’s natural defenses — not against them.

💧 Final Thought: Listen to Your Skin

Every sensitive skin journey is unique. When in doubt, simplify your routine, patch test new products, and choose trusted clean beauty brands like Good Intent that prioritize skin health over harsh results.

Discover our range of dermatologist-tested, toxin-free skincare at Good Intent Clean Beauty. www.goodintent.shop  Stop guessing, choose clean.

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