Sensitive skin can, at times, be unpredictable and challenging to deal with. However, it's no curse. Caring adequately for your skin begins and ends with understanding its signals and conditions. If your skin is reacting in a certain, uncomfortable way, it's because it's trying to tell you something.
Sensitive skin 101: Typical causes
Sensitive skin is in itself not a disease. Mostly, it's a reaction that occurs as a response to something else that has impacted the skin's balance. This could be allergies, or harsh environmental factors that dry out or otherwise affect the skin negatively.
Typical causes include:
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Having dry skin – a skin type where the skin doesn't produce a sufficient amount of oil to keep the skin properly moisturized and healthy.
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Eczema or atopic dermatitis – a condition that deteriorates the skin's ability to protect you from irritants.
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Contact dermatitis – a type of rash that occurs when the outermost layer of skin is in contact with something harmful to it.
- Allergic contact dermatitis – like contact dermatitis, this reaction often includes rashes, itchiness, and redness, but is the result of an allergic reaction.
Symptoms range from redness, itchiness, and irritation to tenderness, rashes, burning sensations, blisters, and swellings. If you experience these symptoms, we'd highly advise you to consult a dermatologist or doctor to get a proper diagnosis and advice on treatment.
DO: Choose gentle & protective ingredients
Most products suitable for sensitive skin are labelled as such. Fragrance-free products are always a good idea. But taking it a step further and turning your attention toward the complete ingredient list is never a bad idea. Your product should be free of harsh sulfates (SLS/SLES) that strip the skin of its natural oils. Look out for sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) on ingredient lists. Natural, organic ingredients should always be top of mind – though be mindful that you can also be allergic to some natural ingredients. Protective antioxidants and SPF are your skin's best friends, helping preserve the skin's defense against UV rays, pollution, and free radicals.
DON'T: Overdo anything
While you can enjoy a deeply exfoliating mask or refreshing cleanse, overdone is never well done for sensitive skin. Avoid abrasive scrubs, stick to exfoliating once weekly, and use a gentle cleanser with natural cleansing actives once a day, we recommend our Daily Foaming Cleanser. Overdoing will simply result in the opposite of the desired effect.
DO: Make a patch test
Doing a patch test involves applying a new product to a delimited part of your body, like your arm or neck, to make sure your skin will be welcoming towards the ingredients. Not everything works for everyone – all skin is unique, and that's something we should take into account when experimenting with new products.
DON'T: Use piping hot water
Long, hot showers feel wonderful, but piping hot water can cause damage to the keratin cells on the epidermis, disrupting the cells' ability to encapsulate moisture in the skin, resulting in dryness, irritation, and ultimately, a weakened barrier. Keeping showers short and opting for lukewarm water is the way to go.
A tailored routine for sensitive skin
Our recommendations for sensitive skin:
- Daily Foaming Cleanser – mild, water-based cleanser with natural actives
- Skin Perfector SeboClear – actively restores the skin's natural balance while preventing breakouts
- Daily Hydra Cream Sensitive – deep and lasting hydration with hyaluronic acid and actibiome to balance the skin microbiome
- Deep Cleansing Mask – purifying mask with salicylic acid for pore decongestion
- Instant Repair Balm – SOS treatment for dry, damaged skin in need of a relieving, regenerating boost