SENSITIVE SKIN TIPS
WHAT IS SENSITIVE SKIN?
Sensitive skin tends to react to the application of various products, specifically those that are traditionally tricky to tolerate, such as alcohol-based gels, exfoliants, soaps and perfumed formulas. Symptoms such as burning, tingling, stinging, redness, dryness and peeling can be associated with skin sensitivity.
Sensitive skin can be caused by genetics, and occur consistently, it can be linked to an underlying medical cause, such as dermatitis. People who have eczema, acne, rosacea and other inflammatory skin conditions are also prone to sensitivity. Conditions such as contact dermatitis and eczema should be assessed by a dermatologist or doctor.
WHAT IS SENSITISED SKIN?
Sensitised skin is skin that has been made sensitive through, practices that have created an imbalance, such as overuse, incorrect or underuse of skincare products, lifestyle factors such as sun damage, pollution. not washing your face, poor diet, stress and lack of sleep,
CAUSES OF SENSITIVE SKIN
The tell-tale signs of sensitive skin are most often tingling, prickling, heat, burning, pain, redness or itching sensations. Solutions to help this condition are easier to find once you have determined the causes.
1. Overuse of products - eg exfoliants, acid peels and retinol
2. Harsh chemicals or ingredients - eg fragrance, essential oils
3. Unbalanced pH
4. Sun
5. Pollution
6. Poor diet
7. Poor sleep habits
8. Stress
HOW TO TREAT SENSITIVE SKIN
When you have sensitive skin, regardless of the underlying cause, the key issues are skin barrier dysfunction and raised levels of inflammation, the strategy to treat sensitive skin should be based around protection of your skin barrier and hydrating and calming the skin.
Finding the right routine and omitting any reaction-causing ingredients will help keep your skin consistently calmer and more comfortable.
SENSITIVE SKIN CARE TIPS
1) KEEP IT SIMPLE
Strip your skincare regimen right back to a gentle cleanser such as SUPER SOFT CLEANSER morning and night, to start with, Only add in other products once your skin feels balanced and ready.
2) HYDRATE
Hydration is crucial for sensitive skin – but it’s equally important to find the right formula, use a lighter moisturiser in the morning. The ideal choice will be oil-free, water-based and non-comedogenic such as SENSIDERM STRESS PROTECT CREAM or PROBIOSENCE
3) FRAGRANCE
Fragrance is entirely surplus to your skin’s requirements.
4) BOOST YOUR BARRIER
Another way to boost your barrier is via a fortifying, hydrating serum, applied both morning and night such as SOS SOOTHING FLUID or CALM PLUS AMPOULES
5) WEAR SPF
Wearing a good SPF every day is the golden rule of skincare, and it's especially important for the sensitive-skinned. we recommend SENSITIVE SUN CREAM SPF SPF 50 to shield the skin and prevent further inflammation.