Beautiful flawless skin is the hope of many adults and teens. Yet, if an individual's skin is sensitive, perfect skin is often elusive because sensitive skin is more prone than normal skin to react to a variety of agents such as the elements, premature aging and environmental stress. As a result, it is often spotty, blotchy, red, rough and dry. Therefore, understanding how to care for sensitive skin is vital to anyone who has it. It's the only way for anyone with sensitive skin to face the world.
Why Do I Have Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive skin can arise for a variety reasons. Three common causes are thin skin, allergies and rosacea. All of these conditions are linked to an individual's DNA. As a result, genetics are usually the basis for sensitive skin and the reason why it is difficult to deal with for many people. However, normal skin can become sensitive due to overexposure to wind, sun or cold. Cosmetic treatments such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion, along with medications like Accutane and Retin-A creams, can be hard on the skin. Yet, these causes of sensitive skin are usually only temporary and go away within 30 days.
What Is the Best Skin Care Routine for Me?
Just as with normal skin, sensitive skin should be washed and moisturized daily. Most people do this in the morning and just before bedtime. The only challenge is to complete this regimen with products that cause the least amount of irritation to the skin. The best way to achieve this feat is to use products designed for sensitive skin and also recommended by dermatologists.
Another route is to try out products by utilizing the skin test to find out how your skin will handle a product. Apply a small dab of a new product underneath your chin or on another area of the body that isn't visible. Then, wait to see what happens. This process will help pinpoint which products work best and won't cause any negative (skin) reactions.
Products that work well with sensitive skin tend to be fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and organic. These products have fewer allergens, detergents and chemicals in them and, as a result, are less likely to irritate the skin. A good rule of thumb to follow is to select products with 10 or fewer ingredients. It might take a minute, but a review of the ingredients will help you avoid a poor reaction. People with sensitive skin should take this into consideration the next time they buy a new soap, shampoo, conditioner or moisturizer. However, a product labeled "natural" or "organic" may still irritate your skin. Even if the product has a bare minimum of ingredients, you may still suffer from an allergic reaction. The only way to know for sure how your skin will react is to perform a skin test.
Are There Any Special Treatments for Sensitive Skin?
Treatments for sensitive skin usually focus on its origins. So, for instance, if allergies are the source of an individual's sensitive skin, the treatment will likely include tests to pinpoint the allergen, medications to treat it and a list of foods to avoid. On the other hand, if thin skin is the cause of the sensitive skin, extra moisturizer, sunblock and a recommendation to stay out of extreme weather might be the treatment. In other words, it is a case-by-case situation that is based on the individual, and you may have to go through a process of trial-and-error to find a solution.
Anyone with sensitive skin should avoid cosmetic treatments that are rough on the skin, such as chemical peels, scrubs, microdermabrasion and abrasive masks. They tend to irritate the skin and spur on unwanted results. For example, a treatment designed to even out blotchy skin might turn into a rash that is just as bad.
Should I Use Cosmetics If My Skin Is Sensitive?
Women with sensitive skin can wear cosmetics, as long as they don't irritate the skin. As with skin care products, a good rule to follow is to first choose cosmetics for sensitive skin that are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and organic. These products typically have fewer chemicals and allergens in them. As a result, they tend to work well with sensitive skin. Two product lines that may be worth testing are Almay and Clinique.
Another consideration for women with sensitive skin is to wear as little cosmetics as possible. The natural look is the one that will best promote the health of sensitive skin. So, it's best to look for a way to use a minimal amount of products on the face.
Sensitive skin can be challenging, but with the proper care it can be just as beautiful and flawless as an individual with normal skin. It's a matter of pinpointing the cause and treating it accordingly.
 | Are you treating your rosacea with a specific skin care regimen? If not, any treatment for your rosacea may be doing you little if no good. |
 | Sensitive skin care follows an entirely separate set of rules and requires much more attention to detail. |
Through identification of Rosacea and establishment of a proper Rosacea skin care plan, those with the incurable skin condition can take steps in keeping their faces clear and bright. |
I'm one of those people who has semi-sensitive skin. This means that on certain areas of my body, I tend to collect what African American people affectionately call "ash." This "ashy" state of being is incredibly unattractive when attempting to be cute in a mini-dress or pair of shorts. |
Sensitive skin can be extremely unpleasant. The rashes, breakouts, drying and cracking, and uncomfortable itching and burning are enough to make you want to jump out of your skin. In addition to delicate skin, we expose ourselves daily to many products that are full of perfumes and chemicals that cause increased irritation. |
