Introduction
I’ve spent my entire life battling sensitive skin. I’m sure you can relate. And while we all wish there was a one-size-fits-all answer to dealing with it, the truth is that there’s not. But the good news is that once you understand what’s causing your sensitivity and identify what type of skin sensitization you have, you’re already halfway there! In this blog post, I’ll explain exactly how to do that for yourself so that your next trip to Sephora can be as happy and stress free as possible.
What is Sensitive Skin?
So what is sensitive skin? Sensitive skin is a condition that causes the skin to become inflamed and irritated easily, which may result in redness and rashes. Although many people confuse sensitive skin with dry skin, there are many factors that can cause this condition.
Sensitive skin can be caused by many factors including genetics, environmental factors like pollution or other irritants such as harsh cleansers or body products with alcohols. It’s also possible for some people to have an allergic reaction to certain ingredients in skincare products such as fragrances or preservatives (parabens). Some medical conditions like rosacea and eczema can also lead to sensitive skin conditions.
- Chronic vs Acute: Acute sensitivity happens when you apply a product on your face and it causes irritation right away after application; chronic sensitivity occurs over time due to repeated exposure of your face with specific ingredients found in cosmetics that could potentially irritate your facial area (i.e., benzoyl peroxide).
5 Common Causes of Skin Sensitivity
If you experience skin sensitivity, there are a few different factors that could be to blame. The most common causes of sensitive and sensitized skin are:
- Reactions to ingredients in skin care products
- Reactions to ingredients in makeup
- Reactions to ingredients in hair care products
- Reactions to ingredients in soaps and cleansers
- Reactions to ingredients in sunscreens
How to Determine if Your Skin is Sensitive
If your skin is sensitive, it will have some or all of the following symptoms:
- Skin can be red, flaky and itchy.
- Your skin is more sensitive to the cold. If you live in a colder climate or spend a lot of time with your hands in cold water (like washing dishes or doing laundry), this could be a sign that your skin is sensitive.
- Your skin is more sensitive to wind. If you live somewhere with lots of windy days (for example, Chicago), having a very sensitive face may be normal for you. If you’re someone who gets redness on their cheeks after sitting outside on an especially windy day, then it might be time to consider whether or not this sensitivity has gone too far and needs some help from products designed specifically for people with sensitive skin types like yours!
- Your face may feel hot when exposed to heat from sources like steam baths, saunas and hot tubs – being around these things can cause irritation for those without proper protection; so if these activities cause discomfort rather than relaxation then there’s probably something going on beneath those layers!
Common Symptoms of Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, it’s important to recognize the symptoms. You should know what your skin is telling you so that you can keep it healthy and happy. Here are some of the most common symptoms:
- Redness or blotchy patches on the skin
- Dryness – this may cause itching or flaking
- Burning sensation – usually after using something like a product on your face or body that has caused irritation for example if it has been too hot when applied to your face/body
- Tingling feeling – not exactly pain but more like an uncomfortable sensation felt in different parts of your body as well as other areas such as eyes, lips etc. It’s also possible for tingling to occur from exposure to cold temperatures which will cause water loss from within cells causing them shrink due their decreased ability hold onto fluids (water). The result? Goosebumps! This happens because nerve endings send signals back through tiny channels called gap junctions which connect cells together allowing ions to flow freely between them.”
5 Tips for Managing Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin can be frustrating and itchy, but fortunately there are many ways to manage it. Here are some guidelines for caring for your sensitive skin:
- Use a gentle cleanser, toner, moisturizer and eye cream. In general, you should opt for a mild formula that won’t irritate your skin. If you have dry or combination skin (or live in an arid climate), you may want to choose products with hyaluronic acid or ceramides—they’ll help lock in moisture and keep your face feeling smooth all day long.
- Wear sunscreen every day on top of any other moisturizing lotion. You want SPF 30 or higher because anything less isn’t going to offer enough protection from UV rays—and they’re most damaging when they’re reflected off of surfaces like concrete walls or asphalt roads! Plus some people react negatively when they’re exposed directly so we recommend wearing something even if there aren’t clouds overhead just yet; always err on side caution because prevention is better than cure!
- . Use gentle exfoliants & lip balms regularly during winter months when chapped lips tend occur more often due low humidity levels causing dryness around mouth area where air doesn’t circulate freely since there’s no moisture inside mouth cavity which means less saliva production needed by body as well (since saliva helps prevents cracking/fissures). Be sure use moisturizers afterward though since rubbing harder than necessary could lead damage skin over time.”
Treating Sensitized Skin
If you have sensitive skin, it’s important to keep in mind that certain ingredients in products can irritate the skin. Sensitive skin is especially reactive to fragrances, so try to avoid anything that has too much of a floral or fruity smell.
If your cleanser contains alcohol (which it often will), then it’s important to do a patch test first as some people are allergic to this ingredient. If you have sensitive skin, then using products with alcohol can dry out your face and cause irritation. Look for products with ingredients like honey or glycerin instead of those containing alcohol.
You should also be wary of products containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as this chemical is often found in a lot of face washes and shampoos which can strip away natural oils from your face leading up to redness and irritation on the surface layer of your skin called “hyperkeratosis” – basically just dry patches! The good news though is there are plenty more options than ever before including green brands like LUSH which use safe alternatives such as coconut oil instead!
a takeaway on how to improve the skin sensitivity.
There are a few ways you can improve your skin sensitivity. First, use a gentle cleanser that won’t strip away moisture or irritate your skin. Second, use a moisturizer that’s also gentle and moisturizing enough to help keep your skin soft and nourished. Third, avoid using products with harsh chemicals like alcohol (which is commonly found in toners), fragrances, dyes and other unnecessary ingredients. Fourth, avoid using products that may be too strong for your sensitive skin—if you’re unsure about whether a product will be too harsh for you or not, test it out on just one small area of the face first before applying it all over! And finally…lastly…make sure to always wash off any makeup before going to sleep so that makeup removal cream doesn’t stay on all night long!
Conclusion
There’s a lot of misinformation surrounding what it means to have sensitive skin and how to properly take care of it. That’s why we put together this guide! It should help you figure out what your skin needs, so you can make informed decisions about your skincare routine. If you have any questions about what’s the best way for you to go forward with caring for your unique complexion, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always happy when someone new finds us helpful!