6 Things To Keep in Mind About Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is an issue that many people know all too well. More than anything, it is the cause of great annoyance and frustration. People with sensitive skin are prone to acne, rosacea, eczema, and many different contact allergens. When the epidermis, which is the outer protective layer of the skin, gets damaged, your skin becomes sensitive and prone to many infections. The damage can be due to genetic, dietary, or even environmental factors. It is difficult to control your genetics or environment, but sometimes drinking lots of water and eating vegetables can help strengthen the skin. If not, there are several other important tips to remember.

# Keep It Simple

For sensitive skin, simple is best when it comes to skin care products. You should never use more than two, possibly three, products at a time. The more different types of chemicals you put on your face, the greater is the chance that there will be a negative reaction. All you need is a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

# Gentle is Best

It is important not to use harsh scrubs on your face, or even to not scrub harshly with gentle cleaners. Dead skin cells and oils actually help to form the barrier between your skin and the outside world. Scrubbing it off completely would just lead to more irritation on your skin.

# Don’t Wash Too Often

No matter how you look at it, washing your face dries it out. This isn’t a big deal unless you have sensitive skin. You should wash your face no more than twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. After washing, blot your face dry instead of rubbing to minimize further irritation.

# Read Labels

When you have sensitive skin, it is important to always know what you are putting on your skin. By reading the labels, you can see chemicals that would irritate your skin, such as alcohol, acetone, or urea, and know to avoid them. Additionally, the shorter the ingredient list, the less likely it is that a negative chemical could react badly on your skin.

# Avoid Strong Fragrances

Fragrances and pretty colorings make everything seem more attractive, so it makes sense that more people are drawn to products with these ingredients. However, it is not the best choice for people with sensitive skin. Even if you don’t currently have an allergy to a certain fragrance or coloring, repeat exposure could create one.

# Moisturize Regularly

Moisturizing helps to form a secondary protective layer between your skin and the outside world, a barrier that sensitive skin is in great need of. Pollution and wind can throw quite a punch, if your skin is not properly protected. Moisturizer will also help to keep your skin from drying out or being damaged by the sun.