My Sensitive Skin Beauty Routine - Face

I don't know about you, but for my little family, sensitive skin is the norm. What does sensitive skin look like for me? I can't do fragrances - synthetic or "natural" - and I run in the opposite direction of most botanical ingredients. Essential oils smell lovely, but they just don't work for me. I get so sad when an otherwise mild formulation will throw fragrance or an essential oil in as a last ingredient...

My face routine line up

As an FYI, here are some botanical ingredients that work for me (but please, please patch test to know what works for you):

1. Shea butter
2. Sunflower Seed oil
3. Beeswax (SOMETIMES) - this one depends on the manufacturer and what flowers the bees are visiting. I don't seem to have issues with Beautycounter beeswax so far, but it's possible I may in the future.
4. Jojoba oil
5. Tapioca starch
6. Candelilla wax
7. Carnauba wax
8. Lanolin (SOMETIMES) - Lanolin from Lansinoh gives me no issues. I tried another brand and my lips felt a little tingly, which made me paranoid. So I stick to Lansinoh.
9. Castor Oil & Hydrogenated Castor Oil (SOMETIMES) - I don't seem to have issues with this most of the time. I do well with Beautycounter's castor oil, for example. But I did have a reaction to the lip gloss from Allergy Lifestyle, of which castor oil is one of only 3 ingredients, so I'm a little wary of it and always patch test products that contain it.

Now, without further ado, here are products that I use on my face:

1. Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum - After cleansing, I apply this to my face. What I love is that this ingredient gives my sensitive skin no irritation, and I can use it around my eyes. Plus, it costs only $6 USD, which is amazing. According to the product description, "Promote smooth, even skin and minimize the appearance of pores....Formulated with 10% Niacinamide (vitamin B3), this lightweight serum helps to refine skin tone and texture for a brighter, healthier-looking complexion." So far I have noticed this has made the texture on my face smoother. The jury is out on more dramatic effects as I've only been using it a month. I took a "before" picture and will provide an update if I see any notable results. Based on other folks' reviews about niacinamide, however, I am hoping for some improvement in my hyperpigmentation and/or melasma. I've also heard good things about The Ordinary's niacinamide + zinc serum, but I'm yet to try it.
2. La Roche Posay (LRP) Toleriane Fluide Oil Free Moisturizer - I use this after the niacinamide serum has dried. I use this on my nose and chin, which break out more easily, as this formula is lighter. I general, I'm a huge fan of LRP's Toleriane line; all products I've used so far have given me no issues. Each product varies in effectiveness, of course, but it's been a relief to have a safe haven from skin irritants. This product, in particular, has a short ingredients list, and those ingredients are generally considered safe in the EWG Skin Deep database. Every product before I buy it gets run through the database: I want to ensure what I put on my body is considered safe.
3. Toleriane Ultra Moisturizing Cream - I use this cream on the driest areas of my face (forehead, cheeks), and I love the smooth texture. I have combination skin and am in my mid-30s, so I can now tolerate this level of thickness in a cream. If you like the thickness but are looking for something more cost-effective, I also love Vanicream Moisturizing Cream. Both of these may be too thick for acne-prone skin, however. If that is you, the Toleriane Fluide above or Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion would likely suit you better. 
4. Beautycounter Baby Soothing Oil - I use a few drops of this on my forehead and cheeks (dry areas) at my last step to seal in moisture. I also use this as a body oil and as part of my makeup removal routine. This seems to do a good job of calming irritated skin. For example, I had some broken capillaries on my shoulders from a too-hot shower, and this seemed to speed healing.

I'm currently in the process of searching for a Vitamin C serum and retinol to incorporate into my routine, as those are both tried and true skin ingredients. But as anyone with delicate skin knows, it can be tricky to find versions of these ingredients that aren't irritating. I'll post any updates here!

So what about you? Are there any fragrance-free sensitive skin products you love?

Disclaimer: I not a dermatologist or skin expert. I'm just a consumer that likes to share what has worked for me. Every person is different, however, and should follow proper patch testing protocol with new skincare products. I find The Ordinary's Patch Testing Guide helpful.