How to Care for a Sensitive Skin
For people like me who with any little thing like this, I’m battling with chronic skin reactions; it isn’t always easy to come up with the perfect skincare routine. Sensitive skin isn’t a disease that a doctor can diagnose you with. According to medical expert Cynthia Cobb, it’s usually a symptom of another condition. You may not even know you have sensitive skin until you have a bad reaction to a cosmetic product, like soap, moisturizer, or makeup.
These are general tips that can be applied for the care of a sensitive skin;
- Avoid taking very hot showers
- Use a gentle, fragrance-free soap
- Avoid harsh exfoliants and moisturizers
- Use essential oils instead of perfumes
- Try using organic cleaning supplies
Some factors are generally known to cause sensitive skin. Keep reading to learn more about what may be causing your sensitive skin, symptoms to watch for, products that are safe to use, and also a good skincare routine that could work for you.
1. Dry skin
The majority of people have dry skin, it’s when your skin becomes dry from losing too much water and oil. Dry skin can happen anywhere in your body, but it’s particularly common on the hands, feet, arms, and lower legs.
You can treat dry skin by applying moisture to the affected areas. Apply a moisturizing cream or ointment two to three times per day. This will help restore moisture and prevent your skin from drying out in the future. Remember to use a fragrance-free moisturizer like; Cetaphil’s Daily Hydrating Lotion (it contains hydraulic acid, a powerful moisturizing agent), Shea butter (it’s a natural oil that is particularly just soothing), Aveeno’s Intense Relief Hand Cream (for your hands).
2. Eczema
Hmmm…This particular one cannot be overemphasized enough, my dear. I know a girl who’s had eczema almost all her life. Whenever she treats it, it goes for a while, but always comes back. Eczema no really send your papa. Eczema affects your skin’s ability to protect you from irritants, like germs in the air or chemicals in your laundry detergent. This can make you extra sensitive to products that don’t bother other people, like soaps and cosmetics.
If you have eczema, it is important to choose sensitive products that won’t irritate your skin. Sometimes over-the-counter anti-itch creams and moisturizers are enough to ease symptoms. Products like; Cera Ve Moisturizing Lotion (it contains ceramides, which helps form a protective layer over your skin), Neosporin’s Eczema cream (it soothes and protects irritated skin), Bio-coten (this one’s a personal favorite, and it works), Epiderm.
3. Irritant contact dermatitis
Forget all the big grammar, this one’s a red, itchy rash that develops when the protective layer of your skin is damaged by something it touches. In most cases, a rash will only develop in the area that directly touches the irritant. Although, contact dermatitis usually clears up within a few weeks, the most important thing you can do is figure out what triggered the reaction so that you can avoid it in the future.
You’ll want to control the itching while your skin heals because scratching the area will only make it more inflamed. Try using creams like; Cortizone 10 (it reduces inflammation and reduces itching), Sarna’s original formula (it’s an anti-itch cream that contains a topical numbing agent that relieves itchiness and burning. It also has camphor and menthol), Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment (or you can make your own oatmeal bath by grinding oatmeal into a fine powder. It soothes blistered and burning skin).
Here’s a good basic face care routine that works for sensitive skin.
Step 1: Cleanse your face with a face wash
Step 2: Tone to soothe after cleansing
Step 3: Apply a serum
Step 4: Apply an eye cream
Step 5: Moisturize
Trust me, if you follow all the tips and steps that I’ve mentioned you’ll see positive changes in your skin, you’ll gradually begin to achieve that glow that you're looking for and your skin will literally thank you.
By Ayike Precious.