Living with sensitive skin requires paying a little more attention to your beauty products and regimen than the average person might have to. People with sensitive skin tend to develop problems when scrubbing too hard, for instance, or applying a new skin product. Read on to learn how to treat your skin well, so it always looks its best.
Test Products Before Use
This is the number one rule for people with sensitive skin. Always apply a small sample of any new product to an inconspicuous spot on your body, like behind your ear. If your skin tends to be hypersensitive, try a thinner patch of skin like next to your eye. Then, wait 24 hours. If no redness, blotching, or swelling occurs, then you know you can safely use this product. And be careful with any products labeled hypoallergenic. Because the FDA does not regulate this label, any product can call itself hypoallergenic. Just always do the skin patch test before using it.
Always Moisturize
Sensitive skin is especially delicate and exposure to the elements can do a number on how dry it gets. Moisturizing your skin daily (at least twice) helps it become more resilient to damage from elements like sun, wind, and pollution. Moisturizing vigilantly also prevents water loss, which can lead to a series of problems like dryness, redness, itchiness, and flaking.
Wash Carefully
Early morning and night are the most crucial times for caring for sensitive skin. Start the day by washing with a gentle cleanser (but not so gentle you need to scrub your face to remove residual grime and oils) without any unnecessary additives like scrubbing beads, dyes, or fragrances. Then, moisturize with your favorite daily cream, ideally with sunscreen already mixed in. In the evening, always wash your face with the same gentle cleanser, and apply a gentle night cream to help your skin revitalize overnight. Talk to a dermatologist in Austin about what treatments might be a good choice for your routine.
Choose Cosmetics Wisely
There is a huge selection of beauty products and cosmetics out there, and it’s easy to become paralyzed by the overwhelming amount of choices, or just as easily make the wrong decision for sensitive skin. But just because your skin is delicate doesn’t mean you can’t wear makeup at all. Try to choose mineral-based cosmetics, which are most frequently free of additives like fragrances and dyes. Choose pencil eyeliners instead of liquid (which can contain latex – a known allergen to sensitive skin). Always toss your old cosmetics as they can go bad since over time they can start to harbor cultures of bacteria.
Living with sensitive skin just takes a little more attention to how you treat it. But in the end, this form of self-care probably means your skin will look better as you age. Learn to love your sensitive skin and treat it well, and it will do the same for you.