Cleansing your face may be one of the first step of your morning ritual, but if your skin is on the sensitive side, it’s not as easy as grabbing the nearest bar of soap or drug store brand. If you have sensitive skin that's easily irritated by chemicals, fragrances, or prone to redness, rashes and irritation, you know the struggle of searching for the right product.
So, what is sensitive skin?
Defined by Laurent Misery, Department of Dermatology, in the ActaDV medical journal. "Using the Delphi method, sensitive skin was defined as “A syndrome defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations (stinging, burning, pain, pruritus, and tingling sensations) in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke such sensations."
While environmental factors, stress levels and diet can affect skin reactions, ingredients within a product can do damage if too harsh to the specific skin type.
What ingredients do you look for in products?
When choosing the right skin product for both face and body, keep it simple. It's always recommended to stay away from unknown ingredients and complex formulas. These include and may result to reactions from ingredients that are harsh on the face, leading to rashes, drying out the skin or increased acne and infection.
Sensitive skin types should steer clear of ingredients that can often be harsh on skin such as synthetic fragrances, parabens, alcohols, sulfates and phthalates.
Tips for taking care of Sensitive skin:
- Wash your face with cool to warm water: The water shouldn't be too hot, as to dry out the skin or too cool as to freeze. It should feel like a warm soothing bath to allow the water to run over the face and cleanse.
- Use your hands rather than exfoliate cloths: Your fingers are much gentler to the touch than a harsh cloth that scraps the top of the skin. Scraping, although removing dirty also removes and opens the skin with small cuts that allow bacteria and oil below the immediate surface.
- Keeping face cleansing to a minimum: Those with sensitive skin should not be cleansing more than 1-2 times per day. Preferably this routine is done before going bed to wash away the pollutants and environmental dirt of the day.
What should you use?
With a simple formula and natural ingredients, try the cleansers to help your skin breathe, relax and feel fresh. The Organic Lemon Cleanser does wonders in the morning to help you free refreshed and wake up.
The Lavender Oatmeal Face Cleanser helps purge the skin of dirty while helping you relax after a long stressful day. While lavender is used and commonly known for helping with relaxation, the hidden gem of oatmeal. Oatmeal contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help treat itching due to dry, irritated skin. Try both and feel your skin become brand new.
There are many conditions that can cause skin sensitivity and many reasons why products may not be working as needed for your skin type. Some require more serious and diligent treatment than others. If you suspect your skin condition involves an allergic response, always consider making an appointment with an allergist.
Although it’s rare, allergic reactions can cause a life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis. Seek immediate medical attention if you begin experiencing:
- difficulty breathing
- trouble swallowing
- swelling in the mouth, throat, or face
Most with sensitive skin can treat their condition at home. This typically involves identifying the product or substance that’s irritating your skin and finding a way to avoid it. Remember to always be diligent with the ingredients you are placing on your body.
Be You. Be Natural
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