Can’t seem to make serums work for me - sensitive skin

[Didyousaynutella]

I keep trying serums. I know supposedly they are the most important thing in your beauty routine. But I have really struggled.
I have quite sensitive skin which doesn’t help.
I went through a “the ordinary“ phase and wrecked my skins barrier. It became sensitized and dry. I wasn’t even using acids. Took about a year for it to get back on track. This has made me more cautious. I tried a hyaluronic acid one and it just made my skin feel tacky.
I keep looking at all the beauty pie ones and they all seem to have alcohol in them as do a lot of other ones I have considered purchasing. Even ones supposedly for sensitive skin. I have read enough research to know that alcohol is a no no and long term does more harm than good ( not including cetostearyl alcohol).
I really want to avoid alcohol, citrus extracts and fragrance. preferably no silicones too. Is it really too much of an ask?
Or do I just stick to good old moisturiser and get my high tech ingredients in that?

This is really really nice, and fantastic for the price

https://www.superdrug.com/Skin/Face-Skin-Care/Face-Serums/Superdrug-Simply-Pure-Hydrating-Serum-50ml/p/342700

Posted too soon! No alcohol, no fragrance, it's got ceramides in and isn't at all sticky. I tried it and then immediately bought two more

Have a research into some of the Korean beauty products. Their essences and serums are fantastic and dont contain the filler ingredients that alot of western products do. I tend to buy from Jolse and rose rose shop but Look Fantastic also do a limited range. Cosrx and Benton do a snail serum, both are lovely.
Heres a list of the serums they stock -
www.lookfantastic.com/health-beauty/korean-beauty/treatments.list

If you are not getting on with serums, do you really need to use one in your routine? I would stick to a basic cleanser, such as jojoba oil as an oil cleansing method, and use a gentle moisturiser that won't irritate your skin. As it took your skin a long time to recover from using serums previously, I don't think it's worth pushing things again.

More scnitzel I guess I feel like I don’t want to miss out on anti aging Ingredients just because I have sensitive skin.
I don’t know if it was over use of products when I wrecked my skin or one particular ingredient. I used a copper peptide a lot when it happened and I suspect it may have been that. Now I am trying to be more careful and do a more paired back routine but do want to explore beneficial ingredients.

What products were you using exactly?

I haven't found a serum that does anything for me (dry and sensitive, but no lines or pigmentation yet) - I like the following products though:

Essence (often half price):
www.superdrug.com/Skin/Moisturisers/B-Essence-Facial-Lotion/p/605300?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8OKDlrSk6gIV6oBQBh2ZewMIEAQYASABEgKo-fD_BwE
Hydrating spray:
m.clinique.co.uk/product/1667/5449/skin-care/moisture-surgetm-face-spray-thirsty-skin-relief/all-skin-types
Non wash off masks:
www.clarins.co.uk/sos-comfort-face-mask/C070400061.html
or
m.origins.co.uk/product/15346/61505/skincare/treat/mask/drink-up-intensivetm/overnight-hydrating-mask-with-avocado-glacier-water#/sku/97708

niod COPPERAMINO ISOLATE SERUM 2:1

The ordinary buffet, niacinmide, matryxil, nmf, Squalane, to name a few.

I was also double cleansing.

I definitely over did it.

I paired back to a cleanser and basic moisturiser for a year.

What cleansers? The most likely suspect there is the niacinamide, but if you were using other things too it could have been them.

Clinique take the day off mostly but been using that for years.

I was Akzo going to recommend the superdrug simply pure hydrating serum. I have sensitive skin with eczema and I can use it no problem

*also

Did you start all the new things at once? It's very hard to know what causes sensitivity if you start a few things together.

Do you have a particular issue you wanted a serum for?

I wouldn't let The Ordinary put you off all serums. Their formulae can be very harsh.

I really like Pai calming serum although it’s expensive and REN do an anti-redness one which doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin.
Ark do some too and s5 are good for troublesome skin.
Sorry none of these are cheap but I always stick to what I know won’t make my face flare up.

I love the kinvara rosehip serum. I find it amazing for my skin. www.kinvaraskincare.com/products/24hr-rosehip-face-serum

Yeah ballyho. I was proper daft. I got swept up in the whole layering up all their serums when they got really big. Lesson learnt.

Thank you for all the recommendations. Will look them all up but try one at a time...

I second the Superdrug Simply Pure. I use the 'night time' one as I prefer the texture. Very hydrating but light.

I am 56. According to my dermatologist I have really good skin. I think I may have once used a free sample of serum about 5 years ago. The dermatologist questioned whether I had used retinA (or retinova) much but I had to confess I'd only used it very sporadically over the years but I was very dedicated about sunblock. Forget the serum, invest in sunblock.

Luckily Rangoon that’s one thing I have used on a daily basis since the age of 18. Big believer in it.
I am too scared to try any form of retin a because of my sensitive skin, maybe in my 40s I might relent.

My major problems with Retin A is if it gets anywhere near my eyes which react to almost everything. I put a dab on my forehead and don't put it anywhere above my cheekbones. As long as i use very small amounts and avoid the eye area it doesn't upset my eyes. I have very pale Celtic skin and I can tolerate it. The key is to use a tiny amount.

I'm the same, very sensitive skin and have never found a serum that does anything extra, including the Superdrug one. Just keep it simple and minimal. When I was much younger and didn't have sensitive skin, I loved Clarins Bi Phase serum. It truly was amazing and made my skin just gorgeous, but sadly not any more.

I have tried Genifique and Estee Lauder ANR, the former makes me flare up in eczema, the second gives me spots.
I can only use Clarins Double Serum and am sticking with it, only adding HadaLabo Premium Lotion.

And very gentle cleansing. Double cleansing makes me go all red and angry.

I've always had fairly robust skin and I tried a vitC product recently. Ouch!
It was quite a 'strong' one I think but put me right off.
I also have a retinol serum (Superdrug) that I've used occasionally but it's a wee bit nippy too. So sticking to being gentle, use sunscreen, accept what comes.

I have sensitive skin and I think I have rosacea.

Lots of things make it go red - Boots No 7 serum and Pixi glow were terrible.

Ren and Origins products work for me. The best thing I've tried is Origins Plantscriptions serum. Origins Mega Mushroom is designed for sensitive skin.