If you have sensitive skin, you know how difficult it can be to care for your face. Products that work well for other people can cause breakouts and irritation, and there are so many options out there that it's hard to know where to start. If you're looking for ways to take better care of your skin—without making things worse—here are some tips for getting started:
know your skin type
-
Know your skin type. Whether you're in the market for new skincare products or just want to be able to identify different skin conditions, it helps to know what type of sensitive skin you have.
-
Identify different types of sensitive skin conditions. Your doctor can help you with this step, but if you want to be proactive about it yourself, there are many resources online that can help.
-
Treat and prevent the right types of sensitive skin conditions. Different treatments work better for specific kinds of sensitive skins—for example, eczema is often treated with prescription creams while rosacea may respond best to topical antibiotics or light therapy (or both). Be sure not only that you're treating the right problem area but also that whatever treatment method makes sense for your situation is being used correctly.
avoid harsh cleansers and chemicals
You've probably spent a lot of time trying to figure out what's causing your skin to be so sensitive. Have you ever wondered why it burns and flares up when exposed to certain products? Or how those same products don't seem to bother anyone else's skin?
There are many potential causes for these problems. Some people may have an underlying medical condition that makes their skin more reactive than others, but for most people, the issues stem from harsh or inappropriate formulations in their skincare products.
Here are some ingredients that can cause sensitivity:
-
Harsh cleansers (those with alcohol) * Products with perfumes/artificial fragrances
-
Synthetic dyes and sulfates * Synthetic preservatives (parabens)
use gentle makeup
-
Use makeup remover before washing your face.
-
Choose a gentle cleanser or wash, then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
-
Apply moisturizer after cleansing to help keep your skin hydrated and prevent dryness. Consider using an oil-free formula because they tend to be less irritating than traditional moisturizers.
-
Tone your skin by applying toner over the top of the moisturizer—this will reduce shine, which can make oily skin look more attractive and healthy-looking.
always use sunscreen
Sunscreen is important, but it's not a panacea. It isn't a replacement for sun protection. You can still burn while wearing sunscreen. And even though sunscreens work by absorbing ultraviolet radiation, they do not block all UV rays, so be sure to use other forms of sun protection as well.
use facial oils
When it comes to sensitive skin, many people think that they have to avoid all products that are moisturizing. The truth is that facial oils can actually be great for sensitive skin because they're non-irritating and provide deep hydration. It's important to use them correctly.
First things first: if you're going to use a facial oil as a moisturizer, make sure you don't do so anywhere near your eyes or mouth. That said, even if you're not using an eye cream or lip balm with your oil, it's still good practice (and smart) to apply any kind of product around your eyes first—the last thing you want is someone accidentally rubbing their eye with oil on their finger. Also be sure not get too much product in one spot; this will clog the pores and cause breakouts instead of preventing them from happening in the first place.
taking care of your skin can help you be happier with yourself.
Your skin is an organ, and while that might not be a new revelation to you, it means that there are all kinds of things that can affect your skin's health. Your skin is the largest organ in your body; it protects you from germs and disease, as well as environmental damage like cold weather or harsh chemicals. Like any other part of your body, if something bad happens to it—like sunburn or windburn—it won't always be able to heal itself back up again on its own (though some people have better healing abilities than others). That being said: there are also some things we can do day-to-day to help improve our overall health via our skin.