Wondering what are the best First Aid Beauty products? The brand is on a rescue mission to help sensitive skin look and feel its best. For once, it delivers. While most lines aimed at sensitive skin screw things up by adding all kinds of irritants, from fragrance to essential oils, First Aid Beauty keeps things simple. Every product is packed to the brim with moisturising and soothing ingredients that gives you soft and supple skin without the irritation. Heck, even its retinol offerings are gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Of course, like every line, First Aid Beauty has its duds too. But as a general rule, this is a safe brand for sensitive skin. But what should you buy? What’s worth the little splurge? What will give you results faster? Fret not, Ive done the research for you. Here are the best First Aid Beauty products for wrinkles, acne, dark spots, sensitive skin… All your skin woes basically:
About The Brand: First Aid Beauty
In 2008, entrepreneur Lilli Gordon saw a gap in the skincare market: high-end skincare solutions tailored to sensitive skin. You have brands like Eucerin and Aquaphor catering to its needs, but these brands are basic moisturising drugstore formulas. They get the job done, but don’t give you any extras. First Aid Beauty goes the extra mile.
The brand has removed fragrance, essential oils, harsh cleansers, and high concentrations of powerful actives like retinol – in other words, anything that could irritate sensitive skin – from their skincare products. It replaced them with powerful skin soothers, like allantoin and colloidal oatmeal that are scientifically proven to reduce inflammation (the root cause of eczema, irritations, acne….) and redness.
If you want skincare products for sensitive skin that soothe its irritation while moisturising skin, fighting dark spots and slowing down aging, the brand has you covered. Keep reading to find out which products are worth the (little) splurge for your skin. Good news: they’re more expensive than Eucerin, but way less than high-end skincare like Skinceuticals, so you can get your sensitive skin needs met without breaking the bank.
What Are The Best First Aid Beauty Products?
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration ($38.00)
This moisturiser is endorsed by the National Eczema Association for a reason. The star of the show here is 0.5% colloidal oatmeal (yes, we’re talking about oats here), a powerful active that soothes redness and irritation. A 2012 study confirms that “the daily use of moisturizers and/or cleansers containing colloidal oatmeal significantly improved many clinical outcomes of atopic dermatitis” and was “well tolerated in babies, children, and adults with AD.” Plus, the moisturising base makes skin softer, smoother, and better able to withstand environmental attacks. It’s rich and yet sinks into your skin quickly without leaving a greasy residue behind. Oh, and it’s also available in a jumbo size version.
Available at: Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, Sephora, and Ulta
Active ingredients: 0.5% colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and skin soothers.
Benefits: Soothes irritations, eczema, and redness, and moisturises skin.
Cons: Not anti-aging.
Skin type: Sensitive and dry skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer ($36.00)
An oil-free moisturiser enriched with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to deliver a powerful boost of hydration to your skin that keeps it soft and supple for hours – without delivering more oil and turning your skin into a greasy mess of acne war zone. Plus, it’s loaded with soothing agents that reduce inflammation – one of the main causes of acne. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, it keeps shine at bay for a few short hours. I just wish it came in a bottle instead of a jar.
Available at: Dermstore, Look Fantastic, Sephora, and Ulta
Active ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and skin soothers.
Benefits: Hydrates and plumps up skin while soothing irritations.
Cons: Not anti-aging.
Skin type: Oily, acne-prone and sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads With Glycolic + Lactic Acids ($38.00)
These compostable pads are infused with Glycolic and Lactic acids, two exfoliating acids that dissolve the glue that holds skin cells together, so they can slough off. Result? Skin feels softer to the touch. Brighter to the eye. And fine lines look smaller too. Exfoliation can also help to fade away dark spots. Glycolic Acid can be a little irritating, so these pads also have their fair share of soothing ingredients to counteract any potential side effects. Use them two or three nights a week only.
Available at: Look Fantastic, Sephora and Ulta
Active ingredients: Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and skin soothers.
Benefits: Exfoliates and brightens skin.
Cons: Can irritate very sensitive skin if used too much too often.
Skin type: Dry skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
First Aid Beauty Deep Cleanser With Red Clay ($24.00)
A gentle foaming cleanser that removes impurities and excess oil without drying out your skin. Like all First Aid Beauty products, it’s infused with skin soothers that make the cleansing process gentler on your skin. But, they’re rinsed off down the drain when you wash it off, so don’t expect them to reduce redness or irritations. It’s an excellent option for oily skin that’s on the sensitive side.
Available at: Ulta
Active ingredients: sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and cocamidopropyl betaine.
Benefits: Cleanses skin and removes excess oil.
Cons: Can’t reduce redness and irritations.
Skin type: Combination, oily, and acne-prone skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
First Aid Beauty 0.3% Retinol Complex Serum With Peptides ($48.00)
Curious to try retinol but are put off by the dryness and irritation it can cause? First Aid Beauty 0.3% Retinol Complex Serum With Peptides comes to the rescue. Perfect for beginners, it uses a small concentration of retinol and retinyl propionate in a silicone base that slows down their penetration, so you can enjoy their anti-aging, collagen-boosting benefits without the irritation. Just ignore the peptides. Regardless of what brands say, there’s not much proof they do much of anything. Use it no more than 3 nights a week.
Available at: Sephora and Ulta
Active ingredients: Retinol and retinyl propionate.
Benefits: Fights wrinkles and brightens skin.
Cons: Can irritate skin if used too much too often. Peptides don’t really do anything for skin.
Skin type: All skin types.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Related: The Complete Guide To Retinol: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It
First Aid Beauty Hydrating Serum With Hyaluronic Acid ($40.00)
Whether you’ve got dry skin that needs the extra moisture or oily skin that needs oil-free hydration, First Aid Beauty Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid got you covered. Its lightweight texture is sticky, yet so hydrating, it plumps up skin and keeps it soft and supple for hour. Plus, like all FAB products, it’s packed to the brim with soothing agents and antioxidants that target inflammation and free radicals, two of the main causes of premature aging. It’s ideal for all skin types, especially acne-prone.
Available at: Sephora and Ulta
Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and skin soothers.
Benefits: Hydrates and plumps up skin.
Cons: Texture is a little sticky.
Skin type: All skin types.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Related: Oily Skin? Here’s Why You Need An Oil-Free Moisturiser
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer ($28.00)
Does your skin throw a tantrum every time you use something new? First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer can help. This baby is packed to the brim with soothing ingredients. Allantoin, colloidal oatmeal, and feverfew (to name a few) all have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness and calm down irritations. Plus, the moisturising blend of squalane, urea, ceramides and shea butter strengthens the skin’s protective barrier, keeping your skin safe from external aggressors that could irritate it further, such as harsh weather and pollutants. Not to mention, it’s very moisturising and leaves skin soft and supple for hours.
Available at: Look Fantastic, Sephora, and Ulta
Active ingredients: Urea, shea butter, oats and other soothing agents.
Benefits: Soothes irritations and redness, and moisturises skin.
Cons: Not anti-aging.
Skin type: Sensitive and dry skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Related: Why Colloidal Oatmeal Is Key To Soothe Sensitive Skin
First Aid Beauty Hydrating Toner With Squalane + Oats ($24.00)
I’m not a huge fan of toners (you don’t need them). But if you want to use them out of habit or your skin does need the extra moisture, First Aid Beauty Hydrating Toner With Squalane + Oats is a great option to consider. Hyaluronic acid draws into your skin up to 1000 times its weight in water while the squalene base locks in it. Result? Your skin is softer and plumper, so your fine lines and wrinkles looks smaller. Plus, it’s infused with oats and other skin-soothers to keep irritations and redness at bay.
Available at: Look Fantastic, Sephora, and UIta
Active ingredients: Hyluronic acid, squalane, and other soothing agents.
Benefits: Hydrates skin, plumps up fine lines and wrinkles, and soothes irritations.
Cons: Not anti-aging.
Skin type: All skin types.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
First Aid Beauty Oil-Minimizing Toner With Salicylic Acid ($24.00)
First Aid Beauty Oil-Minimizing Toner With Salicylic Acid calls itself a toner, but anything with Salicylic Acid is an exfoliant, so use this as an exfoliant. No more than 3 nights a week. Salicylic Acid is a powerful exfoliant that unclogs your pores, removing blackheads, whiteheads, and acne and keeps them from coming back. While it’s at it, it also soothing properties that tone down redness and irritations. And it’s not the only skin soother here. If you’re dealing with blackheads or pimples, get yourself a bottle.
Available at: Look Fantastic and Sephora
Active ingredients: Salicylic Acid and other soothing agents.
Benefits: Removes and prevents blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.
Cons: Unlike other exfoliants, it doesn’t brighten skin much.
Skin type: Oily and acne-prone.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask ($24.00)
I don’t believe masks are a must. If you’ve already got your skincare routine nailed down, they’re just a pampering extra for when you need some much-needed me time. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask is the exception to the rule. If you’ve got dry and/or sensitive skin, this is a great maintenance product to use once a week or every time your skin throws a tantrum and gets red and irritated. Super moisturising (thanks shea butter!), it’s loaded with soothing ingredients – including green tea, feverfew, and oats – that can reduce inflammation and the redness that comes along with it. When you wash it off, your skin is both soft and comforted.
Available at: Nordstrom
Active ingredients: Oatmeal, shea butter, and skin soothers.
Benefits: Moisturises and soothe skin.
Cons: It’s not a must-have.
Skin type: Dry and sensitive.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Related: My Full Review Of First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oatmeal Mask
First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide SPF 30 ($36.00)
There’s no doubt mineral sunscreens are gentler on the skin. But how do you cope with the greasy mess and white cast they live behind?! Those are problems you won’t have with First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide SPF 30. For starters, it has a sheer tint that neutralises the white cast. Plus, the texture is on the lighter side (you can’t expect a mineral sunscreen to be too liquidy), so it feels comfortable on the skin. Zinc oxide provides broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays on its own, but it still allows 3% of them through (NO sunscreen blocks 100% of UV rays). Luckily, the sunscreen is loaded with antioxidants and soothing agents that can neutralise the little damage those 3% of sneaky rays would cause. Phew!
Available at: Sephora and Ulta
Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide and antioxidants.
Benefits: Provides broad spectrum protection and slows down premature aging.
Cons: It’s a little thick.
Skin type: Dry and sensitive.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Related: Why Mineral Sunscreen Is Safer For Sensitive Skin
What Are The Best First Aid Beauty Products For Wrinkles?
First Aid Beauty 0.3% Retinol Complex Serum With Peptides ($48.00): A gentle retinoid serum in a silicone base to fight wrinkles and boost collagen without irritating skin – as long as you use it in moderation. Available at Sephora and Ulta.
First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide SPF 30 ($36.00): A tinted mineral sunscreen with a sprinkle of antioxidants to provide broad spectrum protection and prevent premature wrinkles. Available at Sephora and Ulta.
What Are The Best First Aid Beauty Products For Acne?
First Aid Beauty Oil-Minimizing Toner With Salicylic Acid ($24.00): A salicylic acid exfoliant that unclogs pores and gets rid of blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples – and prevents them too. Available at Look Fantastic and Sephora.
What Are The Best First Aid Beauty Products For Dark Spots?
First Aid Beauty 0.3% Retinol Complex Serum With Peptides ($48.00): Retinoids aren’t just for wrinkles. They also fade away dark spots. This one has a low amount + silicone base to help your skin better tolerate it. Available at Sephora and Ulta.
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads With Glycolic + Lactic Acids ($38.00): Glycolic Acid removes dead cells, brighten skin tone and fades away dark spots. It’s a low dose paired with soothing ingredients to make it gentler on the skin. Available at Look Fantastic, Sephora and Ulta.
What Are The Best First Aid Beauty Products For Sensitive Skin?
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration ($38.00): A rich moisturiser infused with colloidal oatmeal that can soothe eczema, dryness, and irritations without leaving a greasy residue behind. Available at Look Fantastic, Nordstrom, Sephora, and Ulta.
First Aid Beauty 0.3% Retinol Complex Serum With Peptides ($48.00): A gentle retinoid serum in a silicone base to fight wrinkles that even sensitive skin can tolerate. Just use it sparingly. Available at Sephora and Ulta.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask ($24.00): A soothing mask that reduces redness and irritations while infused your skin with a truckload of moisture. It’s an instant pick-me-up. Available at Nordstrom.
Is First Aid Beauty Cruelty-Free?
Yes, First Aid Beauty is cruelty-free. They don’t test their products on animals, not even through a third-party.
The Verdict
There you have it, the best First Aid Beauty products for every need your sensitive skin has. Whether it’s oily and sensitive, dry and sensitive, or you look for gentle anti-aging solution, this guide has you covered.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
