Great — here’s a practical guide to choosing and using makeup for sensitive skin.

Key principles

• Choose fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic products. Fragrance is the most common irritant.
• Prefer formulas with fewer ingredients (shorter ingredient lists reduce risk).
• Favor mineral-based foundations (zinc oxide / titanium dioxide) or gentle liquid/tinted moisturizers if you need coverage.
• Avoid known irritants: alcohol (denat. or SD alcohol), strong chemical sunscreens (if reactive), essential oils, sulfates, retinol (in makeup), and some preservatives (if you’ve reacted to them before).
• Patch test every new product on the inside of your wrist or behind your ear for 48–72 hours before full-face use.

Good product types to look for

• Cleanser: Very gentle, soap-free, sulfate-free (cream or micellar options).
• Moisturizer/primer: Fragrance-free, lightweight, or barrier-repair formulations (ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide if tolerated).
• Foundation/tinted moisturizer: Mineral powder foundations (pure micronized minerals) or liquid tinted moisturizers labeled “for sensitive skin” / “dermatologist tested.”
• Concealer: Simple formulas without fragrance or irritant preservatives.
• Powder: Finely milled, fragrance-free mineral powders to set makeup.
• Eye makeup: Opt for ophthalmologist-tested eyeliners/mascaras and replace them frequently (every 3 months).
• Brushes & tools: Clean often — bacteria buildup can trigger irritation. Use soft synthetic brushes or clean sponges.

Ingredients that can help

• Soothing / barrier-support: ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, niacinamide (if tolerated).
• Mineral sun filters (if the product contains SPF): zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are usually gentler than chemical filters.

Ingredients to avoid or be cautious with

• Fragrance (parfum/essential oils)
• Alcohol denat./SD alcohol (drying/irritating)
• Harsh surfactants (SLS, SLES)
• High concentrations of exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs) and retinoids in makeup products
• Certain preservatives if you’ve reacted in the past (e.g., formaldehyde releasers for some people)

Application & care tips

• Start with a clean, well-moisturized face and allow moisturizer to fully absorb before makeup.
• Use a primer designed for sensitive skin if you need it — avoid mattifying primers with many drying ingredients.
• Apply with clean hands or sanitized brushes/sponges to minimize contamination.
• Keep makeup minimal and breathable — lighter, buildable coverage reduces irritation risk.
• Remove makeup gently every evening with a mild cleanser (double-cleanse only if tolerable) and reapply barrier-repair moisturizer.
• If irritation appears (redness, itching, burning), stop the product immediately and treat with a gentle moisturizer; seek dermatology care if severe.

Brands commonly recommended for sensitive skin (good starting points)

• La Roche-Posay (Toleriane line)
• Cetaphil
• Vanicream
• BareMinerals (mineral foundations)
• Clinique (fragrance-free options)
• Physicians Formula (some hypoallergenic lines) (You don’t need to use these brands specifically—use them as examples of the types of formulations to look for.)

When to see a dermatologist

• If you have persistent redness, stinging, swelling, or recurrent reactions, consult a dermatologist for patch testing and personalized product recommendations.

If you want, I can:

• Recommend specific products (I can list current popular options), or
• Build a full sensitive-skin makeup routine (cleanser → moisturizer → base → eyes → lips) tailored to your needs (coverage level, skin type: oily/dry/combination, any known sensitivities).