Collection: Calm and repair sensitive skin with gentle, effective products

If your skin flares up easily, you need more than just “gentle” skincare — you need ingredients that actively soothe and strengthen.

Activist's carefully-formulated products are intentionally made with effective active ingredients that restore your skin barrier, while remaining free from unnecessary fillers, synthetic fragrances, and known irritants, so your skin gets exactly what it needs — nothing more, nothing less.

Calm and repair sensitive skin with gentle, effective products

What causes sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin isn’t just a skin type—it’s a sign that your skin barrier is compromised or reacting to external stressors. Some people are naturally more sensitive due to genetics, while others develop it over time from exposure to irritating products.

Harsh ingredients, environmental pollution, over-exfoliation, and even stress can weaken your skin’s defenses, making it more prone to redness, irritation, and discomfort.

Here's how to manage sensitivity:

  1. Avoid harsh cleansers, exfoliants and acidic products that damage your skin barrier. Instead, use a gentle, oil-based cleanser and only exfoliate occasionally.
  2. Strengthen your skin barrier with hydrating, soothing, and antioxidant-rich products that help it stay resilient and balanced. See our recommendations below.

Our 4-step routine for sensitive skin

With a gentle, nourishing approach, you can calm your skin's reactivity and restore balance. This routine avoids essential oils and irritants while replenishing your skin's barrier to reduce sensitivity.

  • Deep Moisture Cleansing Balm

    Restores rich moisture as it gently cleanses

    Regular price From $37.00
    Regular price Sale price From $37.00
    Deep Moisture Cleansing Balm
  • Healing Water Toning Mist

    Refreshes and hydrates all skin types

    Regular price From $28.00
    Regular price Sale price From $28.00
    Healing Water Toning Mist
  • Calming Force Clear Skin Serum

    Hydrates while reducing irritation, breakouts, redness and sensitivity

    Regular price From $57.00
    Regular price Sale price From $57.00
    Anti-acne serum for blemish prone skin, pimples, clogged pores, redness and inflammation in low waste / zero waste refillable bottles from Activist Skincare
  • Precious Oils Active Infusion

    Moisturizes for soft, glowy skin + UV/pollution antioxidant defense

    Regular price From $57.00
    Regular price Sale price From $57.00
    Precious Oils Active Infusion

Sensitivity vs. allergies: what’s the difference?

Skin sensitivity and allergies may look similar, but they have different origins.

Sensitivity usually happens when the skin's lipid barrier is compromised or overstimulated. The trigger may be fragrance, harsh cleansers/detergents or exposure to sun or wind. The reaction may look like redness, stinging, or irritation.

Allergies are immune system responses that trigger inflammation, swelling, itching, or even hives.

While sensitive skin can benefit from gentle, nourishing botanical ingredients (for example, chamomile and lavender), allergies require complete avoidance of whatever your trigger is — which may even include a gentle botanical like chamomile or lavender. You should do a skin patch test if you tend to have allergies. This will help you identify and avoid products that are allergenic for you.

Need help choosing products?

Answer a few quick questions and we'll recommend the products that will work best for your skin type and concerns.

TAKE THE SKIN QUIZ