A great starting point is to look for a selection of oils that are made of smaller molecules that can penetrate the pores such as argan oil, clary sage, sunflower oil, and maracuja oil, says Thornton. And the more streamlined the ingredient list, the better—especially if you have sensitive skin, says Lozina. “I always suggest taking the less-is-more approach—fewer ingredients are generally better tolerated by those with sensitive skin,” she says.
In terms of what to avoid, our experts eschew common skin irritants like fragrance and sulfate surfactants. “Some others to avoid include myristyl/isopropyl myristate, isocetyl/octyl/isopropyl stearate, hexadecyl alcohol, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and lanolin,” says Lozina. “These are all highly comedogenic ingredients to avoid in your home skincare routine.”
