Thank you for contributing to MUA! If this is your first post, please be sure to check out our rules in the subreddit sidebar. If you are on mobile, they can be viewed by tapping the ⓘ symbol.

A few quick highlights: •

• Looks, hauls, and flatlays require a product list in the comments, complete with shade names within 20 minutes of posting.

• Photos must not be edited or filtered. This includes automatic beauty and portrait modes found on many phones and newer cameras.

• Lastly, our Helpful Guides for Navigating MUA in the sidebar explains some of the basics of the community as well as commonly misinterpreted rules.

Is your post just a search away?

Before you make a post, search with Reddit's search feature or use this handy customised Google search.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

I grew up in a family with sensitive skin, and Physician's Formula, Neutrogena, and Almay did well. Tower 28 is also a clean brand for people with sensitive skin, and it's been working out for me

Are you sure it was the makeup that caused the reaction? You don't list any lip makeup but list your lips as breaking out as well. It almost sounds like more of a skincare product reaction since the irritation was on the majority of your face.

In my experience, what is irritating/sensitizing to your skin is somewhat personalized. If you have sensitive skin def stay away with things with fragrance and unnecessary ingredients, but you could also be sensitive or allergic to specific ingredients for no particular reason (eg niacinimide, pigments like carmine, preservatives, lack of preservatives/stabilizers, etc).

Clinique

clinique! all of their products are hypoallergenic, their mascara is the only one i’m not allergic to and i’ve never broken out from their eyeshadows, foundations, or lip products. if you’re having a reaction to a product you’ve used in the past no problem it’s possible it’s gone bad. this is less common with powder products like eyeshadows but they can still get moldy. if the brushes were new, it’s also possible that they were treated with chemicals during the manufacturing process that were never washed off, so if you wash them with a gentle cleanser it’s possible that could fix it too.

Your makeup is likely expired. They have expiration dates because they will start to harbor bacteria after that!

Almay, Clinique, Eucerin, cetaphil, Cerave

I’ve had good experiences with Pur and Neutrogena. I prefer to use Neutrogena’s Sheers on my face and Pur’s pot concealer sparingly in the areas I need extra coverage.

Try tower 28s new SPF foundation!

Almay

I have this problem with eyeliner too. So far, the two that worked best for me are the Nyx epic wear long lasting liquid eyeliner, and Lime Crime's venus liquid liner, which I don't think is available anymore ;(

Tarte is known to be a good brand for people with sensitive skin.

I love Surratt for foundation. Nothing irritating, doesn't dry my skin, and wears well. I've had bad experiences with many others.

I’ve been really impressed with Honest Beauty’s Calm line. I use the cleanser and moisturizer. All in the line have the NEA seal of acceptance too, if I’m not mistaken.

Drunk Elephant could work. There's a lot of ingredients in each product but they leave out 6 of the common irritants which the company dubs "the suspicious 6" I've sensitive skin and DE is sometimes all I can use (along with CeraVe) when tretinoin bitchslaps my skin barrier.

I have extremely sensitive, finicky skin with Rosacea. I’m finding Well People to not irritate my skin. I like the mascara, lip/cheek stick, Bio Tint, and foundation stick, I alternate between the tint and stick. Also Plain Jane Beauty is a black, female owned brand of makeup and she has skincare called Lotus Moon. I like the makeup a lot so far. Their customer service is great too! And recently I’ve tried RMS beauty and I like it so far.

Tower 28 was created by someone with sensitive skin and is a so-called "clean" brand. You may like some of the products on offer there, among them being a tinted SPF. (I haven't tried it myself as I don't think I have a good shade match.)

I used to use Ilia's skin tint but won't be repurchasing it. It dries down darker than it applies, and unless you want to look super glowy, it may not be the thing for you. Coverage wasn't too bad but I'd recommend their actual foundation over the skin tint if you want to try a complexion product of theirs.

Mascara-wise, are you looking for a volumizing one, a lengthening one, or something that's more "my lashes but better"?

Have you heard of the brand well people? They have a line of skincare and makeup. I enjoy their tinted moisturizer with SPF very much. They have a good mascara as well. It’s midrange pricing I’d say. You can get it from ulta or target in the US.

I would not recommend ilia skin tint if you are oily. It is a very greasy product. Something similar you might like would be the Saie beauty slip tint. It’s a tinted moisturizer with SPF and is fragrance free.

Try Clinique or Bare Minerals. Both are excellent for sensitive skin, and can be found at Sephora. And both brands have a range of foundations, with different levels of coverage, catering to a variety of concerns.

Ilia mascara is not only the best clean mascara, but the best mascara overall imo

The only makeup I can use is Colourpop. I have extremely sensitive skin and highly allergic to most makeups. Nyx and Colourpop are my safe zones.

I can’t give you advice but what I can tell you is that the “we won’t take it once you open it” thing with makeup doesn’t (at least in my experience) apply if you’ve had an allergic reaction. Get your money back!!

Well the lowest price that you haven't tried would be essence. I have not had any breakouts from that so I'm hoping it would be okay for you.

I have super sensitive, acne-prone skin too and found that vegan/cruelty-free brands are a lot gentler. For eyeliner, try Physicians Formula Eye Booster (hypoallergenic) or Ilia Clean Line, both are great for sensitive eyes. For concealer, BareMinerals Original Liquid Concealer or RMS Uncover Up are lightweight and don’t clog pores. Lipsticks: Bite Beauty or Tower 28 (allergy-tested + super creamy).

Patch test everything first! Sensitive skin loves fewer ingredients.

I would focus more on the skincare so your makeup has a good base to sit on. My go to for my dryness is Kiehls ultra facial cream. The price tag is worth every penny I love love love it. Also applying your skincare while your face is still slightly damp can help lock in the moisture post shower/face washing.

skin care, skin care, skin care.

​

I use the same makeup on every skin type, I only change the skin care. The only thing I can say about makeup is to avoid anything too matte or very opaque. Pigment grabs dry skin like mad.

Sobs in memoriam of Becca First Light Primer

You need to sort out your skincare routine. That's going to do much more for you.

🙋‍♀️did someone say dry/sensitive skin??

I love Laura Mercier. I’m sad that Becca is no longer around. I can use some of Bobbi Brown’s or Nars stuff. Mercier is my ride or die. She has rosacea and sensitive skin and definitely keeps that in mind when developing products.