If you are one of the many people that were born with sensitive skin, than you will understand how frustrating it can be to deal with. Not only do you have to deal with dry, itchy, and sometimes red skin, you have to be careful when choosing skin care products because many of the chemicals can irritate your delicate complexion. But I’m here to tell you that as long as you know how to take care of your sensitive skin, you’ll find that living with it isn’t so bad, and that one day you may in fact learn to love it.
It’s important to find out what type of sensitive skin you have. Do you sunburn easily? Is your skin often itchy? Do you blush easily? If you answered yes to these questions then most likely you were born with sensitive skin. If your skin only seems to react to certain skin care products, stressors, or foods, then it’s probably only triggered sensitive skin. This type of skin can be managed by avoiding the products that cause irritation.
Probably the biggest thing you can do for your sensitive skin would be to keep it moisturized. Since this type of skin typically tends to be dry as well, the proper moisturizing lotion is very important. Find a cream that has been dermatologist-tested or says “for sensitive-skin” directly on the bottle. Remember to use fragrance-free lotions, creams, soaps, and shaving gels because the added fragrance can irritate your skin. I remember the day I could no longer use my favorite vanilla-scented body lotion because instead of giving me silky smooth skin it left me with a rash.
Protection from the sun is a daily essential. The harsh rays of the sun are particularly damaging to delicate sensitive skin. Be sure to use a sunscreen with at least an SPF 30, and take lots of shady breaks. If you do spend time in the sun, make sure you moisturize afterwards because your skin will dry out quickly. An aloe Vera gel is a great for after-sun conditioning.
Controlling breakouts can be another battle for people with sensitive skin, because many of the bacterial-fighting chemicals in standard acne treatments are too harsh on your skin. Benzoyl peroxide in particular can do some considerable damage (trust me, this is from firsthand experience) to sensitive skin, so try to avoid this ingredient. As a rule, don’t wash your face with medicinal cleansers more than once a day, and do not leave them on the skin for a long period of time.
Live and learn!
The best way to find out what is good or bad for your skin is through trial and error, because everyone’s skin reacts differently. Just remember that certain products are more prone to causing skin irritations, including perfume, hairspray, scented deodorant, and even the glue on band-aids. Just remember to think of your skin before slathering on some ambiguous product.
But if you take care of your sensitive skin, it will be good to you as well by looking clear, soft and beautiful.