Have sensitive skin? Taking care of it can be a real pain – in fact, it often feels more like an expensive drain of wasted product’s that never work. Even products clearly labeled for sensitive skin aren’t guaranteed to work well for you. If you’re particularly sensitive, they may even cause problems, too.

From breakouts to rashes, redness to dry skin… you deserve to look and feel your best!  To help you find your way to calmer, clearer, healthier skin try giving these tips a try!

5 Tips for Caring for Sensitive Skin

By definition, Sensitive Skin is the negative reaction of skin to certain triggers.

Sometimes the best way to cope with this is to avoid these triggers altogether. Pay attention to what might be causing your sensitive skin to flare up. There are many reasons why your skin may be having a reaction, such as the environment, dehydration, or even an underlying condition.

Understanding what causes your specific sensitive skin flare-ups can help you manage or prevent them more easily.

 1. DRINK YOUR WATER!

I know you have heard this before, but it is SO IMPORTANT to stay hydrated! Why?

Internal hydration directly correlates to how well our bodies work, and that includes our skins health. Water helps clear toxins from the skins surface that cause inflammation and blemishes. It also assists in transporting nutrients and oxygen to skin cells and prevents dehydration. It can even make skin appear fuller since the hyaluronic acid that naturally exists in skin will pull in and retain the water longer.

Though it is normally recommended to drink 8- 8oz glasses a day, there is no one magic amount of water to drink for optimal health. However, this is a good goal for most to try to reach. But keep in mind that if you find yourself “thirsty” which means your body is already dehydrated.

 2. Understand the Products You’re Buying

Sensitive skin unfortunately does not react well with all types of ingredients that are found in skincare products. It is very important to know the ingredients present in the product you’re buying to avoid any skin irritation which can occur after using. If you are going to trying a new product, make sure you do a skin test before applying it all over your face! Just put a small amount on your skin, not the face, for 48 hours to see any skin reaction.

*Be Cautious of “HYPOALLERGENIC” Products

There’s a common tendency to assume anything hypoallergenic is also safe for sensitive skin. But it’s important to recognize that “hypoallergenic” just means “less likely to trigger allergies.” There’s no guarantee you won’t personally react to an ingredient within the product, nor is there even proof they’re good for sensitive skin.

 

3. Don’t Over-Cleanse

Clogged pores, surface dirt, and environmental toxins can make sensitive skin even more sensitive. This leads many people to erroneously believe more washing (or even exfoliating) will help reduce reactions over time.

The truth is that too much washing, or even washing with the wrong products, can actually make your skin worse. Stick to a twice-daily skin cleansing session, and use the gentlest, mildest products you can find that don’t make you react. These types of cleansers are usually made from plant oils and from natural skin care lines. There’s no reason to wash more often than this unless you have a specific concern (makeup melting off in the heat, for example).

Once you’ve washed, use a soft microfiber towel to gently blot your skin dry. Don’t scrub, rub, or roughly dry your face with thicker towels, as you risk tiny tears and excessive dryness.

4.Moisturize Your Skin

Having a healthy skin care regime is very important for all skin types, especially the sensitive skin types that requires water to be locked in to prevent it from drying. Use a moisturizer that suits your skin, preferably organic. Follow up with using sunscreen in the day, and a collagen mask or cream in the evening to help boost your skins elasticity.

5. Always Use Sunscreen

Regularly wearing facial sunscreen has been shown to actively help sensitive skin. The sun’s UV rays do serious damage to your skin and eliminate the benefits of even the best skincare routine. Protect your skin by applying sunscreen or moisturizers with SPF every day, even when it’s cloudy.

If you would like to read more Tips & Tricks for other specific skin types, check out the full article here!