What is sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin is quite common; hypersensitivity however, is fortunately less common. The main difference is that hypersensitive skin can often react to non-irritating formulations due to an underlying skin condition. Professional medical advice is recommended in such cases.  Seek help if your skin does not respond to care for sensitive skins to make sure you do not have an underlying medical condition that may be causing your sensitive skin. In terms of sensitive skin, however, there are a number of things you can do to help ease the discomfort and frustration of having a sensitive skin.

What can we do?

Sensitive skin is very easily irritated so the first thing we want to do is minimise the chances of it being irritated. If there are any allergens we know that trigger allergic reaction and skin conditions such as eczema we should take great care to avoid. Prevention is much better than cure as flare-ups can take a while to subside and always seem to occur just when you don’t want them. Triggers can range from foods we eat, plants, fur and so on. Skin care products that have been especially formulated to minimise irritation by including no irritating ingredients should be used.

Skinsaviour skin care products have been designed to be gentle and effective with no perfumes or colourings or harmful ingredients to irritate sensitive skins.

Here are some suggestions on how we can look after sensitive skins:

• Avoid cleansers that have sulphates, detergents or soap that will all irritate sensitive skin.

• Avoid cleansers with harsh exfoliating particles or ones high in glycolic acids.

• Gently pat the skin dry after cleansing and avoid rubbing which will further irritate the skin.

• Use lukewarm water to avoid irritating the skin with water that is too hot or too cold.

• Seek moisturisers without perfumes, fragrances, colourings, alcohols, petroleum, preservatives, sulphates mineral oils or lanolin or as these can irritate sensitive skin.

• Apply skin creams while the skin is still damp and warm, after gently patting dry, to lock in moisture and preserve the skin’s natural defence barrier.