If your skin becomes reddened and itchy due to environmental or product factors, this could indicate sensitive skin. These symptoms could be brought on by environmental triggers or products used on it.
Look for gentle cleansers, moisturizing creams or serums that protect the skin barrier and increase hydration. Avoid harsh exfoliants that contain fragrances or colors as these could irritate the skin further.
Cleansers
Cleansers form the backbone of any skin care routine, so it’s crucial that they’re gentle on sensitive skin. Avoid products containing harsh detergents as these may strip your face of its natural oils, causing dryness and irritation.
Cream cleansers offer essential hydration for delicate skin while helping balance its tone. A creamy cleanser also reduces redness, blotchiness and inflammation in addition to providing additional hydration benefits.
Gel and foam cleansers are excellent options for oily or breakout-prone skin, as they gently remove excess oil without over-drying. Look out for ingredients such as niacinamide and bentonite clay to target acne-causing impurities.
For optimal skin health and to help fight dryness and dullness, look for a face wash containing ingredients like prickly pear extract and lactobacillus ferment. They will increase elasticity while softening complexion and reducing fine lines.
Moisturizers
Moisturizing not only hydrates your skin, but it can also prevent flaking and itchy patches from occurring. Your face, ears and neck lose many skin cells daily – therefore making moisturization essential in replenishing them!
Check for creams and lotions packed with moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, hyaluronic acid and ceramides to hydrate skin effectively. Steer clear of oily formulas or those containing fragrance or alcohol for an anti-allergy product with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile and oatmeal to provide extra soothing effects.
Moisturizers formulated for women often boast of being noncomedogenic (won’t clog pores). But don’t be misled by fancy ingredient lists; what matters more is finding one with minimal ingredients and chemicals that best fits with your skin type and concerns.
Serums
Contrary to creams, which tend to form a thick barrier on your skin that locks in moisture, serums penetrate it more deeply for effective delivery of targeted ingredients. They tend to have lighter textures without irritating ingredients – making them an excellent option for sensitive skin types.
Serums can provide relief for many skin issues, from fine lines and uneven tones to dark spots and pigmentation issues. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid can help plump up skin cells to diminish fine lines while vitamin C provides natural luminosity boost.
Some serums containing retinol or exfoliating acids may make skin more sensitive to sunlight, and applying daily sunscreen is crucial. To maximize results, serums should be applied after cleansing and toning and before moisturizer application; most serums suggest once-daily application but others may suggest twice-daily application.
Exfoliators
Exfoliation is essential for all skin types, particularly those with sensitive skin. “Exfoliating helps remove buildup of dirt, oil and congestion that could potentially lead to breakouts,” according to dermatologist Karan Lal. However, when selecting an exfoliator it must be safe for the skin as a whole.
CeraVe offers an effective yet gentle exfoliator: its gentle scrub contains smaller granules made from jojoba beads that won’t scratch, cut, or cause skin tears like other exfoliators that contain ingredients such as crushed nutshells, seashells or ground fruit pits.
Another option from The Ordinary is this glycolic acid exfoliator, which has won rave reviews among those with sensitive skin. It’s designed to gently decongest pores and fade hyperpigmentation while soothing ingredients help reduce redness.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be part of any skincare routine, but for sensitive skin it can be particularly vital. Sunscreen helps prevent sunburn, defend against premature aging and may even help manage acne-related conditions like rosacea or hyperpigmentation.
For sensitive skin, the ideal sunscreen will be a broad spectrum formulation with moisturizing ingredients and minimal amounts of chemicals. Look for fragrance-free sunscreen that has been dermatologist tested, oil-free and is noncomedogenic.
Physical sunscreens like this one featuring zinc oxide and titanium dioxide may be ideal for sensitive skin. Physical sunscreens act like shields to the sun’s harmful rays while sitting comfortably on top of your skin to reflect and diffuse them. We appreciate how easy it is to apply this physical sunscreen without feeling greasy, leaving white cast or leaving white patches!
