Does your skin become easily irritated, itchy, dry, and flaky? If your answer is yes, then you may be struggling with sensitive skin. It's pretty common to experience occasional inflammation, itching, and burning when you have sensitive skin. This skin condition makes your skin more susceptible to reactions. Even a seemingly harmless product can aggravate your skin.
We understand how challenging it can be to deal with sensitive skin. That's why today's article is all about sensitive skin and ways to manage it effectively. So, stay tuned!
What is Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive skin is very delicate, and it can get irritated quickly. With sensitive skin, the skin is more prone to damage from external irritants and allergens. If you have sensitive skin, you may constantly be itching and scratching your skin. This, in turn, can irritate your skin even more.
What are the Signs of Sensitive Skin?
The main signs of sensitive skin include dry, itchy, flaky, and inflamed skin. Sometimes, you may also feel a tingling sensation on your skin. In addition to the above-mentioned symptoms, other common signs of sensitive skin include skin irritation and skin rash. These symptoms may appear for a number of reasons.
What Causes Sensitive Skin?
Some people have very sensitive skin that gets irritated easily. One main cause of this is allergies. Some people can be allergic to certain foods, resulting in a skin reaction; others may be allergic to a specific ingredient in their products.
The constant exposure of your skin to harsh chemicals in your cosmetics, hair dyes, and sunscreen can cause sensitive skin. Other causes include eczema, contact dermatitis, rosacea, and other inflammatory skin issues.¹ The main symptoms include itching, inflammation, and skin rash. In some instances, you may feel a burning sensation.
Weather changes can also affect your skin. For example, the winter months can make your skin dryer than usual. This is particularly true if you spend much time outside during cold, dry weather. Exposure to cold, dry air is one of the biggest causes of winter-season skin problems such as chapped lips and rough, itchy, or scaly skin.
Is Sensitive Skin a Cause for Concern?
Sensitive skin is your skin’s natural response to environmental factors such as stress, dry air, and allergens. It usually means something else may be out of sync, so it's best to see a doctor or a specialist. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize they have sensitive skin until they react badly to a product, like soap, moisturizer, or makeup.
Conditions that cause sensitive skin aren't always serious. It is possible to keep your symptoms under control by implementing a few simple changes. You'll also discover what may be causing your sensitive skin, other symptoms to watch for, and products that should be safe for you to use.
How to Treat Sensitive Skin?
To treat sensitive skin, you should wash your face once or twice a day. Use mild cleansers, and don't use a lot of moisturizer or makeup. You should also avoid using a lot of fragrance and cosmetics.
If you wear sunscreen, use mineral sunscreen. If you use makeup, make sure that you don't overdo it. Also, don't use products that have alcohol or fragrance in them. If you find that you are constantly irritated, it may be that you need to see a dermatologist. It is possible that you have some sort of allergic reaction.
You should avoid products with abrasive agents, such as fragrance and alcohol, to prevent sensitive skin. It would be best to look for alcohol-free and fragrance-free products. You should also avoid using cosmetics that contain drying or strong compounds.
Your diet could be the cause of your sensitive skin. When you have an unhealthy diet, it can affect your skin. A healthy diet encompasses plenty of fruits and vegetables. This can provide your skin with the nutrients that it needs. You should also drink enough water. Drinking ample water will keep your skin hydrated, preventing dryness and itchiness.
You should also avoid taking hot baths. Hot water used in a bath or shower can dry out the skin and make it more prone to extreme dryness and irritation.
Also, It's also a good idea to avoid touching your skin a lot. Too much contact can irritate your skin.
Which Ingredients Should You Use for Sensitive Skin?
For sensitive skin, you should hunt for skincare products that are aimed at maintaining your skin barrier and nourishing your skin. Some of the best and most commonly used ingredients which help to draw and seal moisture in the skin are aloe vera, argan oil, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and shea butter.
Fatty acids and ceramides are also frequently used for replenishing the skin’s lipid layer. Ceramides can assist restoration of damaged cells to help repair the skin barrier. Other ingredients such as licorice, algae, rosehip oil, and colloidal oatmeal can also help heal and soothe skin.
Experts also suggest looking for products that contain niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3. Dr. Tosin Ajayi-Sotubo says, “Due to its versatility and multiple health benefits, niacinamide suits pretty much all skin types and is especially great for sensitive skin.”²
We recommend trying Sundree’s RYSE+SHYNE facial serum if you have sensitive skin. This lightweight facial serum is formulated with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin c, and aloe to soothe redness and inflammation while boosting hydration and minimizing the appearance of fine lines. Made for dry, combo, normal and sensitive skin, this hydrating facial serum is what you need to achieve and maintain healthy, happy skin.
Which Ingredients Should You Avoid for Sensitive Skin?
For people with sensitive skin, choosing a skincare product that does not contain alcohol or any artificial fragrance is best. They can dry out your skin and elicit an allergic reaction, making it more sensitive. If you have been using products containing fragrance, try looking for skincare products that do not contain artificial fragrances. Furthermore, avoid using chemical exfoliators like AHAs and BHAs as they can make your skin more sensitive, dry, and itchy.³
Another reason behind sensitive skin can be the way you perform your skincare routine. Overdoing some skincare steps can also trigger inflammation and itching.
In addition, makeup products with tons of preservatives and a long list of ingredients can also be harmful to sensitive skin. Instead, stick to mineral or silicone-based makeup products and avoid waterproof makeup.
Final Thoughts
Sensitive skin isn’t something uncommon. But luckily, this skin problem isn’t considered a sign of a serious skin condition. Some people have sensitive skin due to their diet, lifestyle, or weather, while others may react to certain skincare products they use on their skin.
In most cases, avoiding contact with harsh and drying ingredients that can be irritating to sensitive skin can hopefully prevent the problem. Watch out for alcohol, artificial fragrance, acids, and other harsh ingredients added to skincare products. If you have persistent signs of sensitive skin that seem to be worsening, consult your skin specialist for a better diagnosis and treatment.
Citations:
- Gardner, Stephanie. (2022). ‘Eczema’, WebMD, Accessed August 9, 2022. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/atopic-dermatitis-eczema
- Bitmead, Charlotte. (2022). ‘Vitamin B3: A complete guide to what it is and how it works on skin’, Cosmopolitan, Accessed August 9, 2022. Available at: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/g38792607/vitamin-b3-for-skin-serums/
- Sharkey, Lauren. (2020). ‘Everything You Need to Know About Chemical Exfoliation’, Healthline, Accessed August 10, 2022. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/chemical-exfoliation
