Sensitive skin is one of the most common concerns I treat at Emirates Dermatology & Cosmetology Center (EDCC), Abu Dhabi. Many patients come in feeling lost because even basic pharmacy products trigger redness, burning, or stinging. The good news? With the right ingredients and dermatologist-approved brands, sensitive skin can become calm, hydrated, and steady again.

As a consultant dermatologist practicing since 2006—with advanced training from McGill University, Canada—I’ve treated thousands of sensitive-skin cases. This guide highlights the safest pharmacy (صيدلية) products for reactive skin, featuring Eucerin, Avène, and Matis, along with ingredient insights that truly make a difference.

Why Sensitive Skin Reacts So Easily (بشرة حساسة)

 

Most patients with sensitive skin struggle due to:

• A weakened or damaged skin barrier

• Moisture loss

• Reactions to fragrance, harsh surfactants, or preservatives

• Conditions like eczema (إكزيما), rosacea (الوردية), or dermatitis

• Over-exfoliation

• Post-laser or cosmetic procedures

When the barrier becomes fragile, the skin loses its natural defense. So the first step in my treatment approach is always barrier repair + hydration + reducing irritants.

1. Eucerin: Dermatologist-Trusted for Barrier Repair (صيدلية يوسيرين)

Eucerin is one of the most reliable pharmacy brands for sensitive and eczema-prone skin. Based on clinical results and patient outcomes, these are my top picks:

✔ Eucerin pH5 Range

Best for: very reactive skin, burning, stinging, dryness
Includes: pH5 Lotion, Shower Oil, Intimate Care

Why it works:

• pH5 Citrate Buffer maintains the skin’s natural acidity

• Panthenol (B5) enhances healing

• Very gentle surfactants cleanse without stripping

Ideal for patients whose skin reacts to almost everything.

✔ Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Range

Best for: barrier repair, post-procedure care, eczema patches, chafing
Includes: Aquaphor Balm, Spray, SOS Lip Balm

Benefits:

• 41% petrolatum creates a healing shield

• Glycerin and Panthenol restore moisture

• Bisabolol reduces inflammation

I prescribe this frequently after laser treatments or during barrier breakdown.

✔ Eucerin Urea Repair (5–10%)

Best for: dry, flaky, rough-textured skin
Includes: Lotions, Hand Cream, Smoothing Face Cream

Key ingredients:

• Urea softens rough patches

• Ceramide NP strengthens the barrier

• NMF Complex boosts hydration

Perfect for rough areas and chronic dryness.

✔ Eucerin AtopiControl

Best for: atopic dermatitis, redness, itching (حكة), chronic irritation
Includes: Acute Cream, Body Lotion, Cleansing Oil

Why dermatologists recommend it:

• Licochalcone A calms inflammation

• Omega-6 lipids rebuild barrier function

• Ceramides support eczema-prone skin

One of the most effective long-term eczema ranges.

✔ Eucerin Dermatoclean

Best for: ultra-sensitive skin that reacts to most cleansers
Highlights:

• APG complex ensures gentle cleansing

• Hyaluronic acid preserves hydration

A safe everyday cleanser for sensitive (حساسة) skin.

✔ Eucerin AQUAporin Active

Best for: dehydrated sensitive skin
Includes: Light, Rich, Rich UV

Deep but gentle hydration ideal for both UAE weather and reactive skin.

2. Avène: The Gold Standard for Reactive & Redness-Prone Skin (أفين)

Avène is widely trusted for conditions like rosacea, eczema, allergy-prone skin, and post-procedure sensitivity.

✔ Avène Thermal Spring Water (مياه الينابيع الحرارية)

Best for: calming redness, irritation, post-procedure care
A simple yet powerful soothing mist that instantly cools and reduces inflammation.

✔ Avène Skin Recovery & Tolerance Range

Best for: burning, stinging, allergy-prone skin (حساسية الجلد)
Includes: Skin Recovery Cream, Tolerance Lotion, Eye Cream

Why it works:

• D-Sensinose calms hypersensitivity

• Sterile packaging removes preservative risks

Perfect for contact dermatitis and highly reactive skin types.

✔ Avène Cicalfate Repair Range

Best for: eczema flares, barrier damage, irritation, chapped skin
Includes: Cream, Balm, Spray, Post-Procedure Emulsion

Power ingredients:

• C+ Restore promotes repair

• Copper-Zinc reduces bacteria & inflammation

• Sucralfate protects wounded areas

Strong and reliable after procedures or irritation.

✔ Avène Xeracalm A.D

Best for: itchy, very dry, eczema-prone skin
Contains:

• I-modulia® to reduce itching

• Cer-Omega to restore the barrier

A long-term eczema management favorite.

✔ Avène TriXera Nutrition

Best for: dry sensitive skin in babies, children, and adults
Gentle, nourishing, and non-irritating — suitable for the entire family.

✔ Avène Anti-Redness (Anti-Rougeurs)

Best for: facial redness, flushing, rosacea (الوردية)
Helps reduce visible vessels and calm chronic redness.

✔ Avène Hydrance

Best for: dehydrated or tired sensitive skin
Hydrates deeply and suits UAE’s dry climate.

✔ Avène Sunscreen (واقي الشمس للبشرة الحساسة)

Best for: sun-sensitive or post-procedure skin
Broad UVA/UVB protection with minimal irritation.

3. Matis: Gentle French Formulas for Delicate Skin (ماتيس)

✔ Matis Response Delicate – Sensibiotic Moisturizer

Supports the skin’s microbiome and restores comfort.

✔ Matis Response Delicate – Peeling Sensitive

A safe enzyme exfoliation for highly reactive skin types.

✔ Matis Hydra-Mood Cream

Soothes tightness and replenishes hydration levels.

Dermatologist-Approved Ingredients to Look For (مكونات للبشرة الحساسة)

Choose products containing:

• Ceramides

• Panthenol

• Niacinamide

• Hyaluronic acid

• Urea (5%)

• Thermal water

• Omega fatty acids

• Bisabolol

• Probiotics

Avoid:
fragrance (عطور), alcohol, essential oils, harsh scrubs, foaming cleansers

A Simple Sensitive-Skin Routine (روتين للبشرة الحساسة)— By Dr. Mouza

Morning

• Gentle cleanser (Dermatoclean / Avène Tolerance)

• Soothing mist (Thermal Water)

• Hydrating cream (Hydrance Light / Hydra-Mood)

• Barrier cream (Eucerin pH5 / Skin Recovery)

• SPF 50+ sunscreen (واقي شمس)

Evening

• Gentle cleansing

• Thermal water mist

• Cicalfate+ or AtopiControl for irritation

• Hydrating moisturizer

• Aquaphor on eczema/dry patches

Final Advice from Dr. Mouza

Sensitive skin improves quickly when the barrier is protected and irritants are removed. Pharmacy (صيدلية) brands like Eucerin, Avène, and Matis offer dermatologist-verified formulas that strengthen and soothe the skin without triggering reactions.

If symptoms worsen, persist, or new rashes appear, I strongly recommend patch testing to identify hidden allergies.