I’m a beauty editor who has sensitive skin. That means I must walk a metaphorical tightrope with my routine—testing hundreds of new skincare products per year (it’s literally my job) without causing irritation, exacerbating inflammation, or setting off a rosacea flare-up. It’s difficult but not impossible.

I accomplish this by A) slowly introducing new products into my routine, B) taking it easy on active ingredients, and C) using fragrance-free moisturizers. The last one is particularly important because nothing irritates my skin like a highly fragranced face cream. According to Sandra Oska, MD, board-certified dermatologist, the link between fragrance and irritation is well-documented. “People with sensitive, reactive, or compromised skin should generally avoid fragranced products,” she says. “This includes those with conditions like atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and acne, as well as anyone prone to allergies or recovering from skin treatments. Fragrance can trigger irritation, redness, or flare-ups regardless of whether it’s natural or synthetic, so fragrance-free products are usually the safest option for these skin types.”