What Can Cause Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive Skin is caused by reactions to several things including random irritants, skin disorders, allergic skin reactions including eczema, rosacea and contact dermatitis. Injured or dry skin can also become sensitive and reactive skin exposed to the elements (sun, wind, excessive heat or cold) can also lead to skin sensitivity and breakouts.
Do Certain Products Cause Sensitive Skin?
Skin can react to a particular ingredient in a detergent, cosmetic, personal, food or even skincare product. If your skin is consistently red, itchy and irritated, a visit to a board-certified dermatologist could clear up some confusion.
Practice Self-Care
When you take care of your physical and mental self, you are taking care of your skin and helping to prevent sensitivity flare ups. Here are some small changes you can make in your life to produce big effects on your skin down the road.
Try to reduce stress in your life. This means something different to everyone. Take time out of your day just for you, spend time with friends, go for a short walk, or consider meditation. If you are unable to deal with your stress on your own, consider speaking with a close friend, find a support group or consult a health care professional.
Monitor your diet. Make better choices and incorporate foods that help with clear skin into your diet. Avoid processed foods. Cook at home as much as possible but especially avoid chain restaurants as the ingredients are more likely to be heavily processed. Visit local farmer’s markets where everything is fresh and good for you.
Sleep reduces stress. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Dim or remove any lights that are on in your bedroom while sleeping, including lights from chargers, night lights, phones, television or clocks. Try black out curtains and eye shades. Limit noise in your bedroom. Put your phone on silent. Try a white noise machine, a fan, or ear plugs to block out noise you can’t control.
Choose Cosmetics and Personal Care Products carefully
Find products that are specifically formulated for sensitive skin and are fragrance free as fragrance in product formulas have been known to irritate sensitive skin.
Use hypoallergenic makeup brands such as Color Science, Physician’s Formula, Neutrogena, bareMinerals, and VMV hypo allergenics.
Avoid waterproof cosmetics and heavy foundations that are difficult to remove without scrubbing. This will definitely irritate sensitive skin. Always gently cleanse skin, removing makeup each night. Leaving makeup on overnight can cause build up of dirt and irritants as well as clog pores, cause irritation and sensitivity.
Choose makeup and sunscreen products that have Broad Spectrum UVA and UVB coverage. SPF should be worn daily! Always test new products on your arm before using them on your face and stop using any products that burn, itch, or sting.
Bacteria on the skin can be irritating, so use only antibacterial makeup brushes and clean them between uses.
Avoid personal care products that contain these irritating ingredients: alcohol, camphor, peppermint, fragrance, urea, sodium laurel sulfate, menthol, lactic acid, and glycolic acid. Also avoid toners, astringents, and abrasive exfoliants (such as products with scrubbing beads).
Wear 100% cotton clothing, particularly those items that touch the skin directly. Avoid polyester or other synthetic fabrics and remove clothing tags which may irritate the skin.
Wash all clothing in unscented powder detergent. Avoid all fabric softeners and dryer sheets.
Consult a Dermatologist
Visit a board-certified dermatologist who can conduct a patch test for sensitivities, diagnose skin conditions and recommend skincare products that will not irritate sensitive skin types. Discuss available options including: prescription drug therapies, non-comedogenic makeup and skincare products with retinols, ceramides or alpha hydroxy acids.
Choose gentle and effective skincare personalized for your skin needs and issues
Gentle skincare is key in when dealing with sensitive skin.
Some basic tips to follow:
- Use only lukewarm water on your face as both hot and cold water can irritate skin.
- Use soap free cleansers or face washes that are pH balanced such as a personalized Proven cleanser.
- Use mild cleansers (not soaps) for bathing and washing hands. Examples include your individualized Proven cleanser, Cetaphil, Cera Vé, and Dove bar soap for sensitive skin.
- Apply all cleansers and products, including cosmetics, gently with fingertips.
- Never rub, pull, or scrub. Gently pat face dry with a soft cloth.
- After bathing, gently pat skin dry and while still damp, apply a quality moisturizer such as Cera Vé or Cetaphil to your entire body. In general, ointments are more hydrating than moisturizing creams which are more moisturizing than lotions.
- Avoid peels, exfoliants or dermabrasion and always test products on an area of your body other than your face first.
- Keep skin hydrated. This will trap water in your skin, reduce irritation, and make your skin feel more comfortable. Choose creams over lotions or gels.
- Avoid personal care products that contain these harsh ingredients or preservatives : alcohol, camphor, peppermint, fragrance, urea, sodium laurel sulfate, menthol, lactic acid, and glycolic acid. Also avoid toners, astringents, and abrasive exfoliators. Try a micellar water instead.
- Choose products formulated with natural or milder ingredients like Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Aloe, Hyaluronic Acid or Green Tea to promote healthy skin.
- A skincare routine with fewer products are better than many when it comes to an effective and beneficial skincare regimen as too many products can irritate sensitive skin.
PROVEN SKINCARE formulates products based on a person’s individual needs based on living environment, lifestyle, diet, stress levels, frequency of travel, as well as skin sensitivities and conditions, that will be most beneficial on sensitive skin. Go to provenskincare.com to take the complimentary skin quiz to discover your personalized skincare formulations.
For more information on Proven Skincare, please go to www.provenskincare.com and follow us on Instagram @provenskincare.
