How To Care For Sensitive Skin

When it comes to skincare, there are some general things we can do. You know, the common advice – use lotions, avoid chemicals, stay hydrated. 

Of course, most of this works for all types of skin, including sensitive skin. But what things can we do for sensitive skin specifically?

Today I have some tips for those of us dealing with sensitive skin. Whether you’re having a breakout right now, or trying to avoid one in the future, this article is for you!

What is sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin can certainly fall onto a spectrum. You may not even know you have sensitive skin until it meets a certain cosmetic product or ingredient. Sensitive skin is usually a symptom of another condition and – in most cases – isn’t overly serious. But it can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. 

When your skin is overly sensitive, you want to be sure to take extra care of it. Otherwise, it could be a downward spiral.

For example, if your skin is overly dry, and it gets bothered by an ingredient or even more dried out, it can become itchy, inflamed, and aggravated. Then you’ve got a worse problem on your hands (joke intended, thank you). 

If you have an ongoing skin issue, such as chronic dryness, itchiness, bumps, rashes, or anything else that seems unusual and is persisting, don’t hesitate to see a doctor. In most cases, you may need a medical cream that can help your skin heal and get back to normal. There are a range of skin conditions that your doctor can help you pinpoint and treat. 

In the meantime, if you’re looking to take it easy on your skin or avoid another breakout altogether, keep reading!

How to care for sensitive skin

• Take a short, lukewarm shower – You don’t need to be uncomfortable in the shower by any means. But if you’re taking a hot shower, that could be damaging your skin. If your skin appears redder when you leave the shower than it did when you got in, the water is too hot. And the longer you’re in there, the more you’re drying out your skin by removing its natural oils. 
• Avoid harsh cosmetics – Many cosmetics have good intentions, but too many of them are made with ingredients that do your skin no favors. These ingredients could be to preserve the product or give it a certain texture. Be sure to read the ingredients and understand what each ingredient is and how they react with not just your skin, but each other.
• Use gentle, fragrance-free soap – Soaps with a fragrance may smell nice, but even just the word “fragrance” on an ingredient list can be an umbrella term for a wide range of ingredients that you’re unaware of and are now putting on your skin.
• Use a gentle laundry detergent – For the same reason as the above two points, you don’t want to be cooking your clothes in harmful chemicals and then having them rub up against your skin all day and night. Make sure you’re washing your clothes with clean ingredients!
• Pat instead of rub – When you get out of the shower or finish washing your face, avoid rubbing the towel against your skin. Instead, pat it dry so as to not be too rough on it. Then be sure to add a moisturizer right away!
• Take caution testing new products – If you’re trying out a new product, it’s best not to do a full treatment with it right off the bat. I recommend testing it on a small and discreet area of skin first.

If you have sensitive skin, I hope that these tips help you and your skin keep as healthy as possible!

If you’ve been dealing with sensitive skin and have some tips that I didn’t mention in this article, I’d love to hear them!

Just email info@everbella.com and share your tips with me. Maybe I’ll include them in a future post!