Sensitive skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and rosacea affect millions of people worldwide. These issues can cause redness, dryness, irritation, and inflammation — symptoms that can make daily life uncomfortable and frustrating.
While prescriptions and over-the-counter treatments are often used, natural cosmetic ingredients provide a gentler, long-term approach. By soothing inflammation, strengthening the skin barrier, and restoring hydration, they give formulators powerful options for developing supportive, calming skincare.
At Bulk Naturals Wholesale (BNW), we supply premium, cosmetic-grade botanicals, oils, and actives to help formulators, indie brands, and DIY creators design products tailored for sensitive skin.
Understanding the Skin Concerns
Eczema
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is one of the most common chronic skin conditions worldwide. It affects the skin’s ability to hold in moisture, often due to barrier dysfunction and immune system overactivity. This leads to dryness, flaking, itching, and irritation, which can worsen when exposed to triggers such as detergents, cold weather, stress, or allergens.
For formulators, addressing eczema means focusing on restoring the lipid barrier, locking in hydration, and minimizing irritation. Ingredients that deliver soothing, anti-inflammatory, and barrier-repairing support are essential.
Dermatitis
Dermatitis is an umbrella term for skin inflammation, but it presents in different ways depending on the cause:
-
Contact dermatitis develops when the skin reacts to allergens or irritants, such as fragrances, preservatives, or harsh surfactants.
-
Seborrheic dermatitis often affects the scalp, face, or chest and is linked to yeast imbalances and overproduction of sebum.
-
Irritant dermatitis appears after repeated exposure to harsh chemicals, soaps, or environmental aggressors.
Common symptoms include redness, scaling, rash-like irritation, and discomfort. Because of these varied causes, solutions need to be multi-functional — reducing inflammation, maintaining moisture, and supporting the skin’s protective barrier against outside irritants.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic, relapsing skin condition that primarily affects the face. It is characterized by flushing, persistent redness, visible capillaries, and heightened sensitivity, with some individuals also experiencing papules or pustules.
Rosacea flare-ups are often linked to external triggers such as sun exposure, stress, alcohol, hot beverages, spicy foods, and harsh skincare products. The skin is usually extremely sensitive, meaning common actives like retinoids or exfoliating acids may worsen irritation.
For this concern, formulators must focus on calming inflammation, cooling the skin, and providing antioxidant defense to reduce redness and prevent flare-ups without compromising the delicate barrier.
Why Natural Ingredients Matter
Steroids, medicated creams, and prescription treatments are often necessary for severe eczema, dermatitis, or rosacea — but they aren’t always suitable for long-term daily use. Many consumers are now seeking gentler, naturally derived solutions that can complement traditional therapies or serve as everyday maintenance.
Natural cosmetic ingredients, when carefully selected, offer a powerful combination of benefits:
-
🌱 Barrier Repair & Lipid Replenishment: Botanical oils rich in essential fatty acids (like borage, tamanu, and evening primrose) restore skin lipids, helping seal in hydration and reinforce the protective barrier.
-
🌸 Soothing Anti-Inflammatories: Plant extracts such as cucumber, calendula, and licorice root provide calming effects that reduce redness, irritation, and flare-ups.
-
💧 Moisture Retention: Humectants like glycerin, aloe vera, and pomegranate sterols increase water content in the outer skin layers, easing dryness and discomfort.
-
🛡️ Antioxidant Protection: Antioxidant-rich botanicals like blueberry seed oil, green tea, and bakuchiol help combat oxidative stress that worsens inflammation and redness.
With hundreds of cosmetic-grade botanicals, oils, extracts, and actives, BNW empowers formulators to move beyond the “usual suspects” (oatmeal, shea) and explore innovative ingredient combinations that meet the needs of sensitive-skin customers looking for natural, effective care.
Hero Ingredients from BNW for Sensitive Skin
Borage Seed Oil
Why It Works: Exceptionally high in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), borage seed oil is one of the richest sources of this essential fatty acid, which plays a key role in maintaining healthy skin barrier function. For eczema-prone skin, it helps reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), restore softness, and minimize dryness. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it especially valuable in formulations for long-term skin resilience.
Use Level: 5–20% in creams, balms, or facial oils.
Formulation Tip: Works well blended with other barrier-supporting oils such as sunflower, evening primrose, or jojoba.
Tamanu Oil
Why It Works: Known as the “green gold of the Pacific,” tamanu oil is rich in fatty acids and calophyllolide, a natural compound linked to wound-healing and anti-inflammatory activity. It supports tissue regeneration, reduces redness, and calms irritation, making it a favorite in dermatitis and rosacea formulations. Its unique earthy aroma also gives products a natural, artisanal appeal.
Use Level: 5–10% in serums, balms, or spot treatments.
Formulation Tip: Combine with soothing extracts like calendula or cucumber to maximize calming benefits.
Aloe Vera Extract 100x
Why It Works: Highly concentrated and naturally soothing, aloe vera is renowned for its ability to calm redness, cool overheated skin, and restore hydration. Rich in polysaccharides and skin-loving compounds, it supports barrier repair while reducing visible irritation. Particularly effective for rosacea-prone and sensitive skin, aloe vera provides both immediate comfort and long-term skin balance.
Use Level: 0.1–0.5% (reconstituted into water phase)
Formulation Tip: Excellent for hydrating mists, lightweight gels, and recovery serums designed to calm and refresh compromised skin.
Blueberry Seed Oil
Why It Works: This lightweight, fast-absorbing oil is high in vitamin E and polyphenols, offering strong antioxidant protection. For sensitive or reactive skin, antioxidants help shield against oxidative stress, which is a major contributor to inflammation and flare-ups. Blueberry seed oil also improves skin texture, making it smooth and supple.
Use Level: 5–15% in creams, serums, and oils.
Formulation Tip: Pairs beautifully with hydrating humectants like glycerin and pomegranate sterols for a balanced formula.
Pomegranate Sterols
Why It Works: A modern innovation in botanical actives, pomegranate sterols dramatically improve the skin’s ability to retain moisture — up to 200% more than untreated skin. They also provide antioxidant support and reinforce the skin barrier, making them especially effective for eczema and dermatitis care.
Use Level: 2–10% in creams and balms.
Formulation Tip: Use in rich emulsions or occlusive balms to transform dry, flaky skin into soft, hydrated skin.
Bakuchiol (CO₂ or WS Extract)
Why It Works: A plant-based retinol alternative, bakuchiol provides the anti-aging benefits of retinol (such as improving firmness and smoothing skin texture) but without the irritation, peeling, or sensitivity issues that can exacerbate eczema or rosacea. It’s gentle enough for sensitive-skin routines while still offering long-term strengthening benefits.
Use Level: 0.5–1% in serums, oils, or gels.
Formulation Tip: Use CO₂ extract in oil-based products and WS extract in water-based products to maximize stability and solubility.
Zinc Oxide (Non-Nano Cosmetic Grade)
Why It Works: Beyond its well-known use in sunscreens, zinc oxide offers anti-inflammatory and barrier-protective benefits. It helps calm redness, reduce irritation, and protect against environmental aggressors. Non-nano grades make it safe for cosmetic formulations while avoiding deep penetration. It’s especially useful in balms for eczema patches or rosacea-prone skin that needs protection.
Use Level: 1–25% depending on formulation (balms, creams, mineral bases).
Formulation Tip: Combine with tamanu or borage oil for a soothing, protective balm ideal for flare-ups.
Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5)
Why It Works: Panthenol is a humectant and skin-conditioning agent that transforms into vitamin B5 once absorbed. It helps attract and hold moisture, making skin feel softer, smoother, and more resilient. Beyond hydration, panthenol also supports barrier repair and has soothing properties that ease redness and irritation, making it especially beneficial in formulations for eczema, dermatitis, and rosacea.
Use Level: 1–5% in water-based systems (serums, lotions, creams, gels).
Formulation Tip: Combines well with glycerin, aloe vera, and lipid-rich oils like borage or blueberry seed oil to create balanced, deeply hydrating formulas.
Formulation Inspiration
1. Barrier Repair Cream (Eczema & Dermatitis)
-
Distilled Water — 69%
-
Glycerin — 4%
-
Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) — 2%
-
Borage Seed Oil — 8%
-
Shea Butter — 6%
-
Pomegranate Sterols — 4%
-
Emulsifying Wax — 6%
-
Preservative — 1%
Why It Works: Hydrates deeply while reinforcing the lipid barrier and soothing irritation.
2. Soothing Aloe & Blueberry Serum (Rosacea)
-
Distilled Water — 81%
-
Aloe Vera Extract 100x (reconstituted) — 0.5%
-
Niacinamide — 3%
-
Blueberry Seed Oil — 8%
-
OliveM® 300 — 6%
-
Bakuchiol WS Extract — 0.5%
-
Preservative — 1%
Why It Works: A lightweight serum that hydrates, protects, and strengthens sensitive skin.
3. Overnight Tamanu Recovery Balm (Flare-Ups)
-
Tamanu Oil — 21%
-
Sunflower Seed Oil — 20%
-
Shea Butter — 25%
-
Beeswax (or Candelilla) — 12%
-
Zinc Oxide — 10%
-
Pomegranate Sterols — 10%
-
Vitamin E — 1%
-
Preservative — 1%
Why It Works: Locks in moisture, supports regeneration, and reduces irritation while you sleep.
⚠️ Formulator’s Note:
These recipes are provided as formulation inspiration only. They are not stability-tested or market-ready products. Always adjust, test, and validate your formulations for safety, stability, and regulatory compliance before commercial release.
Styled Shopping List
🛒 Stock up on BNW ingredients for soothing sensitive skin:
-
Bakuchiol (CO₂ or WS Extract)
-
Zinc Oxide (Cosmetic Grade)
- OliveM® 300
Final Thoughts
Eczema, dermatitis, and rosacea require careful, consistent support. By going beyond the classic ingredients and exploring BNW’s diverse catalog of botanicals and actives, you can create innovative formulas that soothe, protect, and strengthen sensitive skin.
✨ Whether it’s a hydrating cream, calming serum, or protective balm, BNW provides the high-quality ingredients to bring your sensitive skin solutions to life.
Leave a comment