We’re all for men expressing their sensitivity, but sensitive skin? Not exactly a joy-sparker. “When the majority of people refer to the term ‘sensitive skin’ they are generally referring to skin that is sensitive to outside influences,” explains dermatologist Dr Nicholas Perricone. “These influences can include the environment, weather conditions (excessive heat, cold, wind, low humidity, high humidity), pollution, harsh chemicals, irritating topical products and soaps, all of which can act as allergens and/or irritants, often resulting in an inflammatory response that can result in itching, redness, or dryness,” he says.

Finding out what works, though, is quite another matter, and trying a litany of new products all at once isn’t exactly wise if you’re prone to looking like an heirloom tomato after so much as smelling a new moisturiser. Dr Perricone’s advice? “Keep it simple. Choose your product lines wisely, ensuring that they are formulated by reputable scientists choosing only the highest-quality ingredients.” With that in mind, here are four gentle-yet-effective products we recommend that’ll leave your skin looking reassuringly calm and collected.

That weird, tight feeling you get on your skin if you wash it with normal soap? That’s the absence of natural oils that protect your skin. Cleansing skin properly is about removing dirt and impurities without doing this, which is why – especially for sensitive skin – a gentle cleanser is paramount, which brings us to Perricone MD’s suitably named “gentle cleanser”. With green-tea extract and olive polyphenols (they’re antioxidant and anti-inflammatory), this makes a solidly sensitive addition to your grooming routine.

A good moisturiser is non-negotiable, and for your product of choice you could do much worse than Sisley - Paris’ deservedly famous Restorative Facial Cream. Engineered to be great for all skin types, it’s a bona fide all-rounder with a nourishing formula that seeps into skin in seconds, keeping it hydrated throughout the day and night. The kind of thing that you won’t want to part with once you’ve tried.

When it comes to cooling down a sensitive-skin crisis, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Calming Serum is the saviour worth keeping on hand. It has a milky consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin and soothes instantly thanks to the abundance of purslane, a medicinal herb and anti-ageing ingredient that helps skin cells to regenerate. Use it regularly to encourage sensitive skin to become a little less petulant.

Clinique For Men’s “super energizer” anti-fatigue cleansing powder might have a bit of an intense name, but it’s a reassuringly gentle product. Mix the powder with water and rub gently into skin to purify and invigorate – the enzymes it contains are effective enough to leave skin soft; the product is fragrance-free so it’s also on the kinder side.

Be sure to note a couple of golden exfoliating rules: whether or not your skin is sensitive, this isn’t something you need to do more than a couple of times a week. It’s also better done before bed rather than in the morning; your skin is more active overnight so will absorb any moisturisers or serums you use much better while you’re asleep