Botanicals for Sensitive Skin: Unlocking the Potential of Natural Ingredients in Personal Care

What are the sensitive skin market dynamics?

Sensitive skin is characterised by heightened reactivity to external factors, often resulting in redness, irritation, and discomfort. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the impact to their skin caused by exposure to the hassles of modern life and environmental aggressors such as pollution, and are therefore more likely to search for skincare products tailored to their specific needs.

Sensitive skin care is no longer a niche segment—it is a booming market driving innovation in the personal care industry. A recent study determined that 70% of individuals identify as having sensitive skin. 

Dominated by the APAC region closely followed by North America, the cosmetic market for sensitive skin is expected to reach more than $80 billion by 2030 according to Grand View Research, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) close to 9% from 2023. The demand for gentle, effective solutions that address this growing need has never been greater, and it constitutes a stable and growing global trend in personal care industry. 

Customer's expectations regarding sensitive skin care

Market trends underscore a shift towards three customer expectations:

• Demand for natural products: Consumers are increasingly seeking natural and organic personal care products, perceiving them as safer and more suitable for sensitive skin. 
• Simplified skincare routines: There's a shift towards minimalist skincare routines utilising multifunctional products, appealing to consumers looking for effective yet gentle solutions. 
• Technological advancements: Innovations such as neurocosmetics, which address the brain-skin connection, are gaining traction.

These three trends offer exciting opportunities for botanical extracts. Botanicals uniquely address these trends by their potential to combine naturalness with multifunctionality as well as innovation. In this article, we explore botanicals that are suitable for sensitive skin and highlight six standout natural ingredients from Croda Beauty that are tested to be non-irritant.

Crodarom™ Cider Vinegar EC: back to basics with ancestral remedies

Crodarom Cider Vinegar EC is a natural fermented postbiotic rich in acetic acid. Recent tests have demonstrated that it regulates the skin’s microbiome, moisturises dry skin, and offers a bacteriostatic effect. This versatile ingredient is particularly relevant for minimalist formulations, appealing to health-conscious consumers seeking natural, effective solutions.

Produced sustainably from cider vinegar of certified geographical origin in France, Crodarom Cider Vinegar EC combines innovation with tradition. Its able to target issues like blemishes, dry skin, and oily skin while respecting the microbiome.

Phytofoam™: the must-have ingredient for delicate skin

Phytofoam is a foam booster delivering both multifunctionality and naturalness. Derived from a blend of saponin-rich plants, it offers a luxurious sensory experience while maintaining skin’s integrity during cleansing. Its ability to produce creamy, stable foams makes it ideal for cleansing products that prioritise comfort and effectiveness.

Consumers increasingly avoid aggressive cleansers, and Phytofoam’s skin-friendly properties meet this demand. It enhances the sensory appeal of mousses used in applications like facial cleansers and tanning products, providing gentle cleansing without compromising the skin barrier.

Amiderm™ ER: the balancing synergy

Amiderm ER stabilises skin pH and preserves balance through its unique mechanism of blocking urease activity. A blend of witch hazel and gall nut, this active ingredient blocks the degradation of urea by urease, thus maintaining the skin's natural pH. This helps reduce irritation and unpleasant odours and preserve the skin's balance and durability. At 1.0%, stabilisation of skin pH at pH 6 for 6 hours, compared to control, which peaks at pH 9.

Tested on sensitive skin, Amiderm™ ER has proven to be non-irritating. Its purifying and soothing properties make it a go-to ingredient for formulations targeting delicate and irritated skin.

Zanthocare™: the multifunctional wellness ally

Zanthocare exemplifies multifunctionality, tapping into the neuro-cosmetics trend by its proven ability to stimulate positive emotions during application. Derived from the Sichuan berry, a traditional Chinese medicine remedy, it offers multiple benefits, including reducing body odour, respecting the microbiome, and enhancing positive emotions.

Its ability to combine well-being and skin care makes it an ideal ingredient for holistic formulations that cater to body positivity and inclusivity. Non-irritant and rich in xanthoxyline, Zanthocare™ is a valuable addition to any sensitive skin care portfolio.

Cosme-Phytami™ Cotton: the sensory experience of softness

As environmental aggressors become more prevalent, consumers seek ingredients that provide softness and comfort. Cosme-Phytami Cotton is an upcycled ingredient rich in organic acids (malic acid), offering gentle care for sensitive skin.

Its eco-responsible production involving upcycling aligns with the circular economy, making it a sustainable choice for brands looking to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. Cosme-Phytami™ Cotton embodies the soothing and softness qualities of Cotton that delicate skin care demands.

Phytessence™ French Rose EC: the naturally moisturising floral elixir

Phytessence French Rose EC offers gentle moisturisation with proven efficacy. It is particularly relevant to sensitive skin, as a clinical study carried out in 2023 by our by our researchers revealed that panel testers who had mature, dry skin, noted it was very hard to find both a suitable anti-wrinkle cream for sensitive skin, and a good moisturising cream. Phytessence French Rose EC meets this demand with proven action on the dry and mature skin barrier, reducing inflammation, lipoperoxidation and glycation, as well as regulating sebocyte activity.

Sustainably sourced from roses cultivated by a French family farm, this Cosmos-certified ingredient provides compelling storytelling potential for brands, combined with efficacy. Its timeless appeal and proven benefits make it a cornerstone for sensitive skin care formulations targeting hydration and anti-ageing.

Discover our greatest formulation for sensitive skin

Croda Beauty’s Infusion Cream Soft Cleanser with Delicate French Rose is a perfect example of how our ingredients come together in action to create a superior product for delicate skin. This sulfate-free formula, 88% derived natural according to ISO 16128, gently removes makeup and impurities while reducing irritation.

Key components include:

• Phytofoam for creamy, stable foam and gentle cleansing.
• Phytessence French Rose EC for hydration and soothing.
• NatraFusion™ SL HA, a sophorolipid-based biosurfactant, ensures ultra-gentle cleansing power while respecting both skin and the environment.

Conclusion

The sensitive skin market represents significant potential for personal care brands to innovate with natural, multifunctional, and neuro-cosmetic solutions and Croda Beauty’s range of botanical ingredients are ideally positioned to meet this opportunity.

Ready to transform your formulations? Contact your sales representative today to learn more about our full range of botanicals for sensitive skin and the extensive tests behind their suitability. Let us help you craft solutions that delight consumers with comfort while driving market success.