Dealing With Sensitive Skin: The Basics

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We all have different skin types and it’s important to know your skin well in order to provide it with the best care possible. At the end of the day, your skin is the biggest organ in your body and caring for it well can make all the difference to your general comfort, confidence and wellbeing. Now, when it comes to skin types, most people tend to select one of four categories – normal skin (which is balanced with few blemishes), oily skin (where their skin produces too much sebum and takes on a greasy or slick appearance), dry skin (where the skin doesn’t produce enough sebum, so becomes dry and flaky) or combination skin which combines elements of two or more of these skin types. Of course, there is another skin type that individuals with any skin type can experience – sensitive skin. Let’s get to know what sensitive skin is and how to care for it below.

What Is Sensitive Skin?

Sensitive skin isn’t a medical term per say. Instead, it is a casual term used to refer to skin that is sensitive to the environment around it, or the products used on it. This can include both cosmetics and personal care products. Sensitive skin is quite common, so it’s important to understand how to best deal with it if you have it.

Rule Out Skin Conditions

If you have noticed problems with your skin, you may be wondering if you have sensitive skin. But first, it’s important to rule out different skin conditions that could be causing your skin sensitivity. Issues such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and more can cause dryness, soreness, flaking, redness, itchiness and other symptoms that can be mistaken for mere skin sensitivity. But they will need separate and specific treatment to resolve these issues. If in doubt, contact your doctor or a dermatologist who will be able to diagnose any underlying conditions and prescribe the right course of treatment to help.

Consider Your Washing Detergents

Sensitive skin can be easily irritated by washing detergents that don’t agree with your skin. From irritation to allergic reactions, this is something to be avoided, so make sure to experiment with different washing detergents until you find one that doesn’t cause problems. Just think how often your skin is in contact with clothes, bedding and other materials that have been put through the wash. You need to find a solution that is comfortable and works for you.

Shower With Warm Water

Hot water can cause irritation to sensitive skin, so make sure to bathe and shower in warm water rather than hot water. This can mean leaving a bath to cool or turning your shower temperature gauge down a few degrees to create a more comfortable experience.

Use Washes for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is relatively common, so many cosmetics and toiletry companies have specially created ranges for sensitive skin, including face washes, hand washes and body wash for sensitive skin. Again, you may need to go through a process of trial and error to find the options that work best for you, but once you find it, you can stick with it for the foreseeable future.

Use Sunscreen

Sensitive skin can also be more sensitive to sun exposure. Try using a reliable, high SPF sunscreen on a daily basis – even if you’re not on holiday or spending time in locations with particularly high temperatures or sun exposure. This can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing sunburn or other forms of skin irritation, which can prove extremely uncomfortable and bad for your health.

Avoid Irritants

If you find that certain things irritate your skin, try to avoid these known irritants. For example, if you experience reactions to pet hair, grass or other common allergens, do what you can to avoid them or create an environment for yourself without them present. Consider staying indoors when there’s a high pollen count, use a gardener to cut your grass, choose hypoallergenic or hairless pets.

Moisturise

You may find that your skin feels irritated or sore when it becomes dry. If this is the case for you, make sure to use a quality moisturiser that is specially designed for those with sensitive skin. This can rule out dryness but can also do so without posing other problems for you.

Sure, this may feel like a lot to take into account and, when it comes down to it, your own success story will be based on trial and error. But eventually, you will find a skincare routine that meets your individual needs and preferences and truly works for you!

Thank you for reading!