Love Me Tender. Sensitive Skin always needs a little extra TLC.
Those of us with sensitive skin can be dealing with a number of issues. Redness. Food allergies. Rosacea. Dry patches. Tired of looking like you are always overheated or blushing? Do you struggle to find the right skincare products? It may seem that, no matter what you use, your skin reacts badly. Well, sensitive skin is what it is…sensitive!
While there may be different root causes, we all have a barrier function on the skin surface with its own unique condition. Someone who has dry skin will have a very different barrier function that someone with oily skin, so know your products, as well as what they contain, before putting them on your skin.
Choose a gentle beauty routine for AM and PM.
Your skincare regimen should start with a gentle face wash followed by a day moisturizer with SPF and a PM cream, formulated specifically for nighttime use.
Choose skincare formulated for sensitive skin.
Products are labeled for specific skin types because they are formulated with ingredients or “actives” and, ultimately, benefits for that skin type, its needs and issues. Products for oily skin will contain oil-absorbing ingredients while products for dry skin will contain more nourishing or moisturizing ingredients.
Choose products formulated with ingredients that will benefit sensitive skin.
Obviously, sensitive skin won’t benefit from a face wash with higher levels of oil-absorbing ingredients. Look for top ingredients, for sensitive skin, in your products that will deliver the best benefits and results. Here are just a few recommendations:
Oatmeal
Did you have chicken pox as a child? Do you remember taking an oatmeal bath? It was recommended to soothe skin and stop the itching. Products formulated for sensitive skin often contain oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal, a fine powder that works with other ingredients to calm skin.
Green Tea
This skin-soothing ingredient also contains antioxidant and anti-aging properties, the trifecta for benefits! It is commonly listed as camellia sinensis.
Panthenol
Also known or listed as Vitamin B5, helps gently soothe existing irritation and, with continued use, helps to keep future redness and irritation at bay. This ingredient is widely used in skin, hair and body products because of its effective soothing power.
Shea Butter
It just sounds soothing. This conditioning ingredient is loaded with vitamins, like A and E and, while it is very mild, it is incredibly effective and perfect for sensitive skin.
Ingredients that sensitive skin should shy away from
The more natural the better, but there are some natural ingredients that may not be right for sensitive skin. You may want to avoid these:
AHAs
Alpha hydroxy acids are great for helping uneven skin tone, or addressing dullness. They help wash away dry and dead skin cells, so the surface looks and feels refreshed and more radiant. AHAs can also increase sun sensitivity and irritation in more delicate skin.
Essential oils
While popular in skincare, they can be a source of certain allergens and these can further irritate skin.
Retinol
While effective for acne prone skin and known to help even skin tone, it can be harsh for sensitive skin types, producing more redness and peeling, so skip this one.
Salicylic Acid
Another magic bullet for acne skin types; it targets blackheads, clears pores and can diminish the appearance of breakouts. However, it can cause dryness and irritate sensitive skin.
Coconut Oil
A great moisturizing ingredient for dehydrated skin, it can clog pores, not ideal for touchy skin. It can actually inflame areas that are particularly sensitive.
Other tips:
Avoid any abrasive scrubs and cleansers, skip the alcohol-based toners or fragranced products. All have the potential to aggravate sensitive skin conditions.
If you’re still concerned about choosing the best ingredients or the best products, personalized skincare formulates products that will target and benefit your specific issues and needs with noticeable results.
Proven™ takes a very personalized approach to skincare, backed by years of research and scientific data. Just complete the skin assessment that focuses on lifestyle, genetic history, diet and other factors. From this, Proven pinpoints your specific skin type and its issues and needs, determining what product ingredients, formulations and textures will treat and deliver optimum results.
Treat your sensitive skin to some TLC with personalized care, to keep it looking and feeling happy and comfortable.
Ready to experience personalized skincare for your sensitive skin? Take your Personal Skin Care Assessment today. CLICK HERE.
