Sensitive skin isn’t a disease but a common skin condition. People with sensitive skin are susceptible to irritation, itching, inflammation, and discoloration. This skin condition is known only when people use certain cosmetics and toiletries. Factors like age, genetics, gender, and race differences are some of the common causes of skin sensitivity and reactions. Other causes include dry or injured skin, skin disorders or allergic reactions like rosacea, eczema, allergic contact dermatitis, contact urticaria, and photodermatoses.
The lipid barrier which is the protective fatty outer layer of the skin is weaker, thinner, and easily damaged in people with sensitive skin. As a result, irritants can easily penetrate the skin and cause inflammation. This is the main reason why those with this skin type can’t tolerate harsh ingredients in cosmetic products.
So, though sensitive skin is not a serious problem, taking proper care is a must. Using any product available in the market is not ideal for people with sensitive skin.
A few sensitive skin care tips include keeping things simple, avoiding products with harsh ingredients, removing makeup before going to bed, using sunscreen, and washing your face with lukewarm water. To know more about sensitive skin and skincare tips, keep reading this article.
Causes and Symptoms of Sensitive Skin
Let us take a look at the common causes of sensitive skin include:
1. Skin conditions
Skin conditions like eczema, dry skin, irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, rosacea, contact urticaria, physical urticaria, photodermatoses, cutaneous mastocytosis (CM), and aquagenic pruritus cause sensitive skin reactions.
2. Environmental factors
Overexposure to environmental factors such as sun, wind, and heat or cold can also cause sensitive skin problems.
3. Genetics
Genetics is also a main cause of sensitive skin as such people are exposed to easily triggered inflammatory responses and overproduction of the compound called histamine.
The following are the symptoms of sensitive skin:
- Redness that might appear with or without swelling
- Stinging or burning sensation
- Itchy, swollen, or red skin
- Hives or rashes
- Skin patches that are dry, hard, and leathery
Experts say that depending on the underlying cause, symptoms appear in different ways.
Establishing a Gentle Skincare Routine
Now that you are aware of the basics of sensitive skin including its common causes and symptoms, let us dive into a gentle skincare routine. Before beginning your skincare routine, the first thing to do is remove your makeup gently. To treat your sensitive skin with care, use makeup removers that are oil-free, fragrance-free, and anti-inflammatory.
Below, we have outlined simple steps to ensure that your skin gets the best treatment:
1. Cleanser
Whatever skin type you have, the routine begins with a cleanser. Try cleansers that are gentle, sulfate-free, and fragrance-free. Such formulations will protect the skin barrier, remove impurities, and provide ample hydration. Gentle cleansers with hy
2. Toner
Toner is the next important product in your skincare routine. A toner removes dead and damaged skin cells, and hydrates the skin. For sensitive skin, the best toners are those that are free from alcohol and fragrances. Go for toners with anti-inflammatory and skin-calming ingredients and seek out those containing ingredients like Vitamin C and E and hyaluronic acid. They will protect the skin without drying it out and also reduce redness and irritation. Natural toners like rose water are a good option.
3. Moisturizer
Moisturizer is the next product that you have to apply to your skin. A good moisturizer will lock the moisture within the skin and protect the skin barrier. The best moisturizers are those that are free from synthetic fragrances and are non-comedogenic. Try light moisturizers such as gel creams with ceramides.
4. Sunscreen
Sensitive skin reacts easily to environmental factors like UV rays from the sun. This is why sunscreen is unavoidable in the skincare routine of people with this skin type. Try mineral options available in the market that have at least SPF 30. Make sure that the sunscreen you opt for contains zinc oxide, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t clog pores.
5. Oil
You can extend your skincare routine by using natural oils that provide both moisture and elasticity. Oil also reduces inflammation, heals skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, soothes sunburn, and prevents acne, fine lines, and wrinkles. Talking about oil, many of you might be using essential oils. Though essential oils offer several benefits for the skin, they might not be good for sensitive skin. The complex compounds in these oils might cause itching, redness, and scaling. So, instead of essential oils, you can use gentle oils like jojoba oil, olive oil, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, grapeseed oil, almond oil, and rosehip seed oil.
6. Mask
Face masks are really good for sensitive skin. Make sure not to use clay or peel-off masks as they might be harsh on the skin. You can try masks that contain hydrating, calming, and repairing ingredients like chamomile that help alleviate redness and soothe the skin. People with sensitive skin can also use masks made using aloe vera and gentle colloidal oatmeal.
7. Tools
Your skincare regime is incomplete without the right tools. The best tool for sensitive skin is muslin cloth. It is gentle and with further use, the material becomes more soft. Some important benefits of muslin cloth include mild exfoliation and deep cleansing, reducing inflammation, and boosting collagen production. So, you can use a muslin cloth instead of harsh ingredients like retinol. Though advanced skincare tools like spinning brushes are available, it is better not to use them regularly as these might disrupt the pH and also cause redness and irritation.
Once you include these in your skincare regime, you can definitely see the differences and also ensure that your sensitive skin receives the gentle care that it requires. Make sure to follow the right order- Cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Others can be used alternatively or weekly.
Watch Out for These Ingredients
If you have sensitive skin, you should watch out for the following ingredients. These might be the culprits causing itchiness and irritation.
Alcohols
Though alcohol dries up excess oil in the skin, eventually it causes dryness, imbalance in the skin and overproduction of oil. Steer clear off alcohols such as denatured alcohol, SD alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol. You can try friendly alcohols called fatty alcohols that do not cause irritation or discomfort.
Dyes
Often, we find colorful formulations attractive and buy such products. But, such colorants or dyes are made using harsh ingredients like petroleum, coal tar, or heavy metals that can cause inflammation, irritation, blocked pores, and skin sensitivity. So, it is always good to go for formulas made of natural or fruit-derived colorants.
Parabens
Most cosmetic products are made using paraben which is a preservative. It prevents the growth of fungi and thereby helps increase the shelf life of products. Studies suggest that paraben causes skin sensitivities and allergies. They are also endocrine disruptors and are linked to the cause of early puberty in girls.
Sulfates
Sulfates are used in products as they provide lather or foam. Sulfates when used in safe concentrations are good for the skin. But, in people with sensitive skin, overexposure to sulfate leads to irritation and inflammation. So, if you are using cleansing products high in sulfate, swap them and experience positive changes.
Fragrances
The next ingredient to watch out for is synthetic fragrances. They are used to lessen the unpleasant smell that certain ingredients have. But, actually, fragrances react with the skin, causing irritation, redness, rashes, and damaging the inner layers of the skin. It is better to try fragrance-free formulas that are safe for your skin.
Chemical sunscreen ingredients
Sunscreens are available in two forms namely, chemical and mineral sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients like octocrylene, avobenzone, and oxybenzone that absorb UV rays, carry out certain reactions, and release them as heat. These ingredients might work fine for normal skin but can irritate sensitive skin. So, you can opt for mineral or physical formulas.
PEGs
Thickeners and softeners contain compounds called PEGs (Polyethylene Glycols). These compounds have been found to reduce moisture levels, cause skin irritation, and boost skin aging. So, people with sensitive skin should be mindful of PEGs. Opt for safer options like PEG-free formulas.
Exfoliants
Though exfoliants are good for removing dead skin cells, they might be too harsh for sensitive skin. Using abrasive exfoliants might leave the skin inflamed. Both physical and chemical exfoliators can be harmful to the skin but they do help in improving skin health. So, you can use gentle versions less frequently to get the benefits and at the same time avoid side effects.
Methylisothiazolinone
Moisturizers, body washes, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, etc. contain the preservative called methylisothiazolinone. This ingredient has been found to cause contact dermatitis in people. So, if you have sensitive skin, clear off from products containing this compound.
Natural ingredients like ice and essential oils
Well, there are some natural ingredients that people with sensitive skin have to stay away from and these include ice and essential oils. As SoulFactors advises, rubbing ice cubes directly on your face can cause broken capillaries and irritation for sensitive skin types. Rubbing ice on the face might cause the delicate capillaries in the skin to break and also lead to itchiness, redness, dryness, numbness, and breakouts. Certain essential oils like citrus oil can be phototoxic and cause sunburn and blister.
Other Soothing Treatments
Other than the cosmetic products and tools available in the market, you can also follow soothing at-home treatments that are proven beneficial for sensitive skin. These effective remedies are listed below:
Cold compresses
Cold compresses can be made at your home by dampening a towel, keeping it in a sealed bag, and put it in the freezer for around 15 minutes. You can use this in sensitive areas like the eyes. This remedy relieves pain, swelling, and dryness.
Calming sheet masks
People with sensitive skin can use fragrance-free calming sheet masks that contain soothing ingredients like allantoin, aloe, and chamomile extract. These masks help freshen and calm the skin.
Aloe Vera gel
Aloe Vera gel has skin-rejuvenating properties. Using this gel will help soothe and hydrate itchy, dry, or irritated skin. Being a non-irritant, it is a good choice for those with sensitive skin.
Oatmeal
Applying lotions containing oatmeal or taking oatmeal baths helps reduce skin dryness and irritation. Oatmeal is found to protect the skin barrier thereby preventing environmental irritants from causing skin problems. Oatmeal baths help moisturize the skin and soothe inflammation caused by conditions like eczema, acne, and psoriasis.
Moisturizers
A good unscented moisturizer will help soothe sensitive skin. It helps prevent dryness, early skin aging, acne, and sunburn. In this way, moisturizing helps reduce skin problems.
Limiting hot baths and showers
If you have sensitive skin, make sure to limit hot baths and showers. Try to reduce the duration of hot baths to 5 minutes as hot water might increase irritation. Also, dry your body by gently patting it with a towel rather than rubbing it.
When to See a Dermatologist?
Most skin problems in people with sensitive skin can be treated at home. The first thing you can do is identify the product or the ingredient that is causing the problem and avoid it. In case this doesn’t work and the condition worsens, see a dermatologist. They will check if the skin problem is the symptom of any underlying condition like eczema or rosacea. Then, they will give you skin patch tests to see if there are any allergies. Once the cause is detected, your dermatologist will recommend a gentle skincare routine suitable for your skin.
Conclusion
People with sensitive skin can stay relaxed as there are many soothing treatments and remedies out there. You have to remain alert and watch out for certain ingredients that cause skin problems. It is important to establish a gentle skincare routine followed by at-home remedies like using cold compressors, taking oatmeal baths or applying lotions containing oatmeal, limiting hot baths, using calming sheet masks, and applying aloe vera gel. These will help treat dryness, acne, and other skin problems.
In case your condition worsens, consult a dermatologist. Remember to keep your skincare routine simple, be gentle and patient with your skin, and patch-test new cosmetic products.
References:
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Note- This article is written by Brand Desk.
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