Do you often get rashes after applying a product on your skin?
This might be a sign of sensitive skin. Many people go to their dermatologists because of constant breakouts and extreme dryness. If you suspect that you have sensitive skin, you need to be extra careful with many things, including but not limited to skin care products and food.
In this article, we’ll talk about the meaning of sensitive skin, its causes, and its different treatments.
What is sensitive skin?
People with sensitive skin tend to have reactions like redness, stinging, burning, or itching when their skin comes into contact with certain chemicals, dyes, and fragrances. Skin sensitivity is not a disease but a condition that simply means the skin is prone to irritation. Some people with skin sensitivities might not experience the symptoms of irritation mentioned earlier, but they will feel general discomfort after using or being exposed to a product. Sometimes, sensitive skin may point to an underlying condition, so it is important to have yourself checked if your skin sensitivity is bothering you. But most of the time, sensitive skin can be managed by avoiding potential irritants and soothing irritated skin.
Causes of sensitive skin
Sensitive skin reactions may be caused by the following factors:
- Overly dry or damaged skin that may fail to protect nerve endings, making skin vulnerable to reactions
- Too much exposure to skin-damaging factors like extreme heat or coldness
- Skin disorders such as eczema, rosacea, or contact dermatitis
Possible factors in determining skin sensitivity also include genetics, age, gender, and race, but they play lesser roles compared to the causes mentioned above.
How do you treat sensitive skin?
Knowing the reasons behind your skin sensitivity will greatly help you determine the best treatment. Nevertheless, we’ve compiled a list of general tips you can follow to avoid skin irritation.
Focus on moisturizing
Since skin dryness is common among people with sensitive skin, moisturizing is a daily skincare step you should never miss. Exposed areas like the hands, arms, and face are usually drier, so give these areas extra attention whenever you moisturize. Light lotions as well as rich and heavy moisturizing creams are preferable for people with dry skin. Plus, make it a point to moisturize twice a day. Moisturizing should be part of your nighttime skincare routine. Apply a sheet mask or a moisture-locking cream every night so you can wake up with softer skin. Don’t forget to put moisturizer on your lips and eye area, too. Last but not least, keep your skin cells hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water daily.
Pick products carefully
Say no to fragrance-laden skin care products. Fragrances and other chemical additives can be irritating to your skin, so choose products with no artificial scents. If you don’t want to give up fragrances completely, choose products that have essential oils but be careful because some essential oils (e.g. citrus) can still be irritating to sensitive skin.
Also, remember that special skin conditions require special products. For example, skin care professionals often prescribe ointments for treating eczema. You may also consider using home remedies for your skin conditions such as colloidal oatmeal to treat eczema. Some individuals with sensitive skin swear by natural skin care products for soothing and repairing skin damage.
Always test products before use
Reading the label and ingredients list of a skin care product before purchasing it is probably second nature to you by now. But one more thing you should get used to is testing a product on a small patch of skin before applying it to the rest of your body.
A simple way to test products is to apply a small amount of it behind your ear and leave it overnight. Do this for several days and observe your skin’s reaction. If no irritation occurs, repeat the process but apply the product on the eye area. If there is still no adverse reaction, then the product is safe to use all over your face.
Watch what you eat
Rashes and other symptoms of irritation may appear when you eat something you are allergic to. Besides this, you need to be picky with your food because maintaining a balanced diet can help you avoid breakouts and achieve healthy, glowing skin. Load up on nuts and antioxidant-rich foods. Add some healthy fat sources, such as avocados and extra-virgin olive oil.
On the other hand, you must eat less sugary food and limit your intake of refined carbohydrates. Too much cake, pasta, and chocolates are not good for the skin.
Be better at baths and laundry
It is no secret that good personal hygiene goes a long way in making your skin healthy and glowing. But this doesn’t stop at washing your face or taking a bath regularly. Taking a hot bath for extended periods can do a lot of damage to your skin. So, keep your bath time short and use lukewarm instead of hot water.
When washing clothes, avoid abrasive laundry detergents made with harsh chemicals. If you notice itchiness and discomfort after putting on a fresh set of clothes, it might be time to change your detergent.
Get professional advice and treatment
Effective acne treatments range from simple home remedies to prescribed medication. If you feel that natural products and other home-based treatments are not working well enough for your skin, then don’t hesitate to consult a dermatologist. After all, they’re the ones who can give a thorough assessment of your skin condition/s and prescribe the right medicine if needed.
Conclusion: How to take care of sensitive skin
Taking care of your sensitive skin involves constant moisturizing, picking products with care, testing products before use, watching your diet, improving your bath and laundry practices, and seeking professional advice as needed.
Author Bio – Kat Sarmiento writes articles with the hopes of reaching out to more people. Her writing is focused on lifestyle, science, and smart hacks, that will definitely (well, hopefully) be useful to her readers.
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