Many of us have experienced skin sensitivity in our lifetimes. It can manifest in symptoms like irritation and tingling after applying a skincare product or discomfort after being outside in a windy or sunny climate.
If you experience sensitive skin, you may notice that your skin is prone to itchiness, redness, and dryness. Although skin sensitivity is common, this skin condition makes it difficult to find suitable skincare products and can affect your quality of life.
Read on to discover more about sensitive skin and how to treat it.
Sensitive Or Sensitized?
While many people would describe their skin as sensitive, skin sensitivity is actually a chronic condition marked by ongoing:
- Dryness
- Irritation
- Discomfort
- Redness
You may notice that your skin becomes uncomfortable when exposed to a trigger.
Sensitized skin is skin that has become reactive due to an overexposure of harsh ingredients or natural elements like cold weather, wind, and the sun. Often this sensitivity develops suddenly and can’t be traced over a long period of time.
Begin With The Barrier
Both sensitive skin and sensitized skin can benefit from extra attention paid to the skin barrier. This outer layer of the skin helps us to retain moisture and filters out environmental aggressors like pollution and oxidative stress.
When we overuse active ingredients such as retinol, natural acids (AHA’s and BHA’s), and physical exfoliants, our skin barrier can become damaged. This damage can cause our skin to develop symptoms that mimic sensitivity.
Create a Sensitive Skin Routine
Although sensitive skin can be a lifelong skin condition, it can be managed with a routine specifically designed to soothe sensitivity. If you’re looking to calm irritation and prevent flare-ups, we recommend incorporating the following ingredients into your routine:
OAT KERNEL
Used for centuries to soothe irritated and itchy skin, oats are anti-inflammatory and full of beneficial vitamins and minerals. Oats also contain antioxidants which protect your skin against oxidative stress and environmental aggressors. You can find Oat Kernel in Indie Lee’s Soothing Cleanser.
ALOE VERA
Aloe Vera Extract is famous for its calming and soothing properties; this is why we use it on inflamed and even sunburnt skin. The mix of Aloe Vera with Zinc and Hemp Seed Oil in Acure’s Radically Rejuvenating Niacinamide Serum provides restorative care to all skin types, including sensitive skin.
CERAMIDES
Ceramides are lipids, also known as fatty acids, found naturally in our skin. They help the skin to retain moisture and prevent dryness and discomfort. They have become increasingly popular in recent years because of their ability to strengthen and protect the skin barrier. Graydon Skincare’s Skin Stuff For Face & Eye boasts high levels of Ceramides and Vitamins A, B, and E.
When To See Your Dermatologist
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above and aren’t able to find relief, we always recommend seeing your dermatologist or care provider to have them assess your skin more closely.
Do you experience sensitive skin? Which products or ingredients do you use to help prevent flare-ups? Let us know in the comments below.
