Caring for delicate skin during topical steroid withdrawal image

Caring for delicate skin during topical steroid withdrawal

When skin is going through topical steroid withdrawal, even the simplest products can suddenly feel like too much. Discover how a calm, fragrance-free skin care routine can help support delicate, reactive skin with comfort and care.

Von Lucy Thorpe

7 Minute Lesen

When skin is going through topical steroid withdrawal (TSW), it can feel unfamiliar, unpredictable and extremely sensitive. Many people describe their skin as fragile, reactive, itchy or uncomfortable, often responding to products they once tolerated with ease.

While topical steroid withdrawal is a complex and individual experience that should always be supported by a healthcare professional, choosing a simple, fragrance-free skin care routine can play an important role in helping skin feel more comfortable during this delicate time.

Here, we share why skin may need extra care, why fragrance-free matters, and how our natural and organic scent free range can support skin that feels particularly vulnerable.

Why skin can feel so delicate during Topical Steroid Withdrawal

Topical Steroid Withdrawal can leave your skin barrier feeling compromised. When the barrier is out of balance, your skin may:

  • Feel dry, tight or sore
  • Appear red or inflamed
  • Become easily irritated
  • Feel itchy or uncomfortable
  • React to fragrance, essential oils or strong actives

During this time, skin often benefits from less stimulation, fewer ingredients and consistent, gentle care.

Why fragrance-free skin care matters

Fragrance is one of the most common triggers for sensitive or reactive skin. This includes both synthetic fragrance and essential oils, which, while natural, can still be overwhelming for skin that is already under strain.

Choosing scent-free skin care helps to:

  • Reduce unnecessary stimulation
  • Lower the risk of irritation
  • Support skin’s natural balance
  • Keep routines calm and predictable

During Topical Steroid Withdrawal, protecting fragile skin from the sun is especially important. Choosing a fragrance-free sun cream can help support daily protection without adding extra stress to sensitive skin.

Our scent free skin and body care products have been created specifically for skin that needs comfort, simplicity and care, without fragrance or essential oils. Browse scent-free skin care or scent-free body care now.

Shop TSW-friendly facial skin care

Scent Free Cleanser

When skin feels fragile during TSW, cleansing should be about comfort, not foam or fragrance. Our Scent Free Cleanser gently removes impurities without stripping the skin or disrupting its natural balance.

Made without ethyl alcohol and SLS, it is ideal for skin that feels easily irritated or overwhelmed and leaves skin feeling clean, calm and comfortable.

Scent Free Calming Face & Neck Serum

Lightweight hydration can help skin feel soothed without feeling heavy. This fragrance-free serum helps maintain moisture levels and supports skin that feels tight, reactive or uncomfortable.

It layers easily under moisturisers and is suitable for daily use.

Scent Free 24-Hour Cream

Choosing a facial moisturiser for TSW can be hard when your skin feels so unsettled. Our Scent Free 24-Hour Cream provides reliable, fragrance-free hydration for day or night, helping to support the skin barrier and reduce feelings of dryness.

A reassuring staple for sensitive skin routines.

Scent Free Marine Facial Oil

When creams alone don’t feel like enough, a facial oil can help seal in moisture. This gentle, fragrance-free oil supports very dry, fragile-feeling skin and can be used alone or layered over moisturiser for extra comfort.

Scent Free Facial Sun Cream SPF30

When skin feels delicate or reactive, daily sun protection still matters, but it needs to be as gentle as possible. Our Scent Free Facial Sun Cream SPF30 offers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection in a fragrance-free formula designed for sensitive skin.

Made without fragrance or essential oils, it is suitable for daily use on delicate facial skin and helps protect against sun-induced damage without unnecessary irritation.

Shop our essential skin-soother for face and body

Scent Free Truffle Night Cream

This is a hero product for skin that feels particularly uncomfortable. Rich, fragrance-free and deeply nourishing, our Scent Free Truffle Night Cream is suitable for both face and body.

It is made with Northern Truffle, proven to reduce skin discomfort in minutes and reduce skin reddening by up to 90%. Many people choose it when skin feels itchy or tight, especially overnight, as it helps keep skin feeling cushioned and comforted while you rest.

Shop TSW-friendly hand and body care

Scent Free Shower Gel

If your hands or body are affected by TSW, cleansing and caring for your body can present a challenge.

Made without skin-stripping foaming agents and enriched with soothing Aloe Vera and Shea Butter, our organic body care supports your skin barrier with natural goodness.

Our ultra-kind, fragrance-free body care products are suitable for frequent use, even when skin is feeling sensitive.

Keeping skin care simple and supportive

In this guide we have provided a range of products which may help you to look after your face and body.

Listening to your skin, avoiding over-cleansing and choosing gentle formulas can all help reduce unnecessary stress on the skin barrier.

We are here to support you on your sensitive skin journey and offer free 28-day UK returns if any of our products do not suit your skin.

A gentle reminder

If you are experiencing Topical Steroid Withdrawal, it’s important to seek advice and support from a qualified healthcare professional. Our skin care products are cosmetic and designed to support comfort and hydration, not to treat medical conditions.

If you’re unsure which scent-free products may suit your skin, our friendly UK customer care team is always happy to help. Call us on 01403 740350 or get in touch on social @GreenPeopleUK.

BY CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE

This blog post has been written by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.

A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty.

A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.

Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of organic beauty brand Green People


If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to "Caring for delicate skin during topical steroid withdrawal." Please do not use an affiliate link.

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