Sensitive skin care is a challenge for many people, especially those living in difficult climates. There are certain external conditions that should be avoided, as should the chemicals in most commercial cosmetic products. How do you know if you have sensitive skin? Here are a few factors to consider when deciding if you need specialized sensitive skin care products:
* Do you break out or have redness after being exposed to environmental stressors like shaving or weather?
* Do you have tingly or tight skin with no other explanation for it?
* Have you noticed any dryness, irritation, or redness on your skin?
* Does your skin react adversely to household cleaning products or cosmetics?
* After answering the rest of these questions, has your dermatologist ruled out any other skin conditions that could be causing the problem?
Sensitive skin can be even more challenging to deal with in adverse weather conditions. If you live where the weather is extremely cold or hot, you may need to use sensitive skin care products to protect yourself.
Thin skin is generally more sensitive than thicker parts of the skin simply because there is less protection between the blood and the outside conditions. The capillaries are closer to the outside of the skin when it is thin, so the skin becomes sensitive to cold, heat, and wind. Sensitive skin also is more susceptible to sunburn, so wear a higher SPF sunscreen if you much go out in the sun.
Avoid harsh washing products like loofahs, brushes, or cleansing stones. You want something soft to take care of your sensitive skin, not an abrasive brush that will further irritate it. Do not use exfoliants because they may be too rough for your skin and cause inflammation when used.
Stay away from any strong chemicals in your skin care products. Fragrances and dyes in particular may irritate sensitive skin, so look for hypo-allergenic or organic products whenever possible. Use liquid cleansers as they are usually easier on the skin and will not cause the same allergic reactions. Hard-milled soaps also work well for sensitive skin care.
Antibacterial astringents are another key component of a good sensitive skin care program. They come in both cream and lotion form and are used to protect your skin from infectious bacteria. This balances your skin growth and keeps bacterial colonies from forming on the surface. One strong antibacterial is salicylic acid, which can exfoliate and remove the outer layer of accumulated dead skin cells. It also clears out bacteria in hair follicle areas to ensure healthy hair growth.
Be careful when purchasing your sensitive skin care products to make sure that they really are safe for your skin. Many products are labeled as natural or hypo-allergenic when they still contain toxic chemicals. Always check the ingredients listed on the label to see if there are any substances that may aggravate your skin. Similarly, perfume-free products may not always be completely devoid of fragrances so double-check all of your sensitive skin care products before use.