Facial skin is constantly exposed to the sun, air pollutants and chemicals found in cosmetics or other products. Treating sensitive skin that suffers from itching, dryness or inflammation following the use of products containing fragrances, alcohol or other harsh ingredients presents even more challenges. To avoid irritating it, learn about the peculiarities of your skin and how to treat it in a targeted way to meet its needs.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Products
Step 1. Identify your specific skin problems
Of course, you have noticed that she is sensitive, but understanding her needs accurately can be of great help when choosing the most suitable products to treat her.
- If you have acne-prone skin, particularly oily skin or characterized by rather dry spots, you must treat it with products specially formulated for its needs.
- Sensitive skin tends to get irritated, so use as few products as possible to treat it. Identify her main problems and immediately run for cover, but try not to use too many products, otherwise you risk stressing her even more.
Step 2. Choose the right cleaner
There are many products on the market, but testing several to find the right one is counterproductive. Instead, try these specific tips for sensitive skin.
- Choose fragrance- and alcohol-free products to minimize the risk of irritation.
- Look for specific cleansers for sensitive skin, such as Vichy's Pureté Thermale. Prefer non-foaming ones. In general, if a lot of foam is formed, the hydrolipid balance of the skin is lost, damaging the protective barrier created by the sebum. This is why it is better to choose products that are non-foaming or that are only slightly foaming. Other brands that offer a range of products for sensitive skin include Clinique, Nivea, Garnier, La Roche-Posay, and Avène.
- Try the practical face wipes. If you notice that they are too aggressive for your skin, moisten them with water to dilute the active ingredients. Many contain fragrances and alcohol, so look for a mild product, like those from Equilibra.
- Avoid all types of soap. If you don't have skin that is particularly prone to becoming greasy, you don't need to use soaps. You can wash it gently using warm water and a sponge. Alternatively, consider coconut oil: just massage a few drops all over your face and wipe it off with a warm, damp sponge to remove even the most stubborn makeup residue.
- Be careful when exfoliating your skin. If it is sensitive, do not scrub more than once or twice a week. If you have other skin conditions, such as inflammatory acne, talk to a dermatologist before trying to exfoliate it.
- Remember one thing: While a product has had good results for one person, that doesn't mean it's good for you too. Also, an expensive cream or cleanser may not be more effective than a cheap alternative.
Step 3. Find out when to use the cleaner
Washing your face more often than necessary dries up the protective skin layer created by the sebum, leaving the skin dry and vulnerable to irritation. You should only cleanse it once or twice a day.
- Wash your face at the end of the day, before going to bed, then apply a light moisturizer right away. Remove any residue from makeup or other products.
- You don't have to wash your face in the morning unless you have particularly oily skin. Just massage it with warm water and pat it dry with a towel. After taking off your make-up and sleeping on a clean pillowcase, you don't need to use harsh cleaners.
Part 2 of 3: Wash the Face
Step 1. Wash your skin with warm or cold water
To prevent irritation, temperature plays a very important role.
- In addition to causing burns, hot water removes the protective layer formed by the sebum.
- Have you heard that cold water closes pores? It's just commonplace, but it can help you avoid excess oil, so try using it if you have oily skin.
Step 2. Wash your face
Some products have different instructions for use, but the process is generally the same.
- Wet your face with cold or lukewarm water to help dissolve the sebum and dirt.
- Apply a dab of product to your fingertips. In general, a small amount is enough. However, since some cleaners are more difficult to spread, more needs to be used. Some people prefer to use a sponge, but this is not always recommended. In fact, unless the sponge is particularly soft and is not massaged with extreme delicacy, the fibers can be aggressive.
- Rub the product between your hands until it forms a foam (if it is not foaming, rub it until you have evenly distributed it between your hands). Then, gently massage it into damp skin starting from the forehead. Avoid the eye area, lips and nostrils.
Step 3. Rinse thoroughly with warm or cold water
Massage it gently with your hands until all detergent residues are eliminated.
- Make sure you remove it well. Remember that the use of sponges is not recommended for sensitive skin.
- To protect your skin from abrasions, pat your skin with a soft, clean towel rather than rubbing it.
Step 4. Apply a mild moisturizer
After cleansing, sensitive skin needs to recover its hydrolipidic balance. Look for specific products for this type of skin: they are usually free of fragrances and harsh chemicals.
- If you have to leave the house, use a product with sun protection factor, even when traveling by car. Choose a broad spectrum one with SPF 30. If you have skin that is sensitive to chemical sunscreen, try a broad spectrum product containing a physical filter such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which tends to be gentler.
- There are various delicate moisturizing creams that are effective for those with sensitive skin, such as Bionike Defense Hydra5 MAT (for skins that tend to shine) or Bottega Verde's Sensitive Skin Anti Redness Face Cream (with a richer texture and suitable for dry skin).
Step 5. Avoid using unnecessary products
You definitely need targeted skin care creams and cleansers, but always remember not to overdo it.
- If you don't suffer from other skin conditions (such as eczema, acne, or severe oil or dryness problems), you can limit your skin care to using three products: mild cleanser, sunscreen, and moisturizer. To kill two birds with one stone, consider moisturizers with integrated sun protection factor.
- Remember that cosmetics can also irritate the skin, so choose fragrance-free, non-comedogenic formulations (meaning that they do not clog pores) and with a short ingredient list. Clinique and bareMinerals are brands tested on sensitive skin.
Part 3 of 3: Examine the Triggers
Step 1. Find out if the sensitivity is due to environmental factors
Your skin may be sensitive due to an allergy or similar condition, which can be treated or managed by making lifestyle changes.
- If the skin of the face or lips perpetually suffer from itching, dryness (especially patches), redness or inflammation, it is possible that the responsibility lies with environmental allergens (animals, dust, ragweed, etc.). Since the allergic reactions are not localized on the face, it is likely that it is an allergy if the itching should also affect the hands, arms, knees or other parts of the body.
- Some food allergies, such as gluten or milk allergies, can cause skin reactions. Allergy to dried fruit can also manifest itself through hives, itching or perioral redness. An allergist will be able to tell if the sensitivity is due to environmental or food allergies by inviting you to do a prick or patch test.
Step 2. Find out if the allergy is caused by the products you apply to your face or use at home
This can be remedied by replacing the responsible products.
- If you notice itching, redness, discomfort or inflammation on your face or lips, it is possible that you have an allergy or sensitivity to a certain product. Consider whether a cleanser, scrub, toner, sunscreen, moisturizer, cosmetic, lip balm, or any other product is responsible. You can try eliminating a single product for a week or so to see if there is any improvement.
- In addition, it is possible that the allergy or sensitivity is due to other products, such as the detergent you use to do the laundry, a perfume or a hand cream that has come into contact with the skin of the face. Sometimes it happens that the responsibility is attributable to the products used by your partner (such as cosmetics or aftershave).
- It has been observed that children with sensitive skin or suffering from atopic dermatitis are more prone to food allergies. You should perform a prick test to see if the problem is due to certain foods.
Step 3. Determine if you have any other skin conditions
Most people who claim to have sensitive skin have never seen a dermatologist in their life. If this is the case, the problem may be perfectly treatable.
- Some disorders apparently attributable to mere skin sensitivity can be diagnosed in a different way. In fact, it can be eczema, psoriasis, rosacea or other. They are all due to specific triggers and can be treated in a targeted manner.
- If you have never been to the dermatologist, you should book a visit to rule out other skin disorders. If you are diagnosed with one, he or she may prescribe oral creams or medicines to treat it.
- Eczema or atopic dermatitis can be treated in a variety of ways, for example with corticosteroids, antibiotics to prevent infections, antihistamines to stop itching, and lifestyle changes to combat stress.
Advice
- Combining healthy eating, physical activity and stress management techniques can be effective in fighting a skin disorder and taking care of the skin from the inside out for beautiful and glowing skin.
- According to a study, skin sensitivity is due to several factors, including removal of the protective barrier and hyperreactivity to topical agents.
