Redness, itchiness, burning, tightness and roughness: would you associate these terms with your skin? If they sound all too familiar, you might have sensitive skin, a condition that arises when the skin’s natural barrier function is compromised. This results in water loss and the penetration of irritants. If you are someone with sensitive skin, all hope is not lost! Here are three important tips that could potentially improve your skin condition in good time.
1. Say yes to gentle cleansers
Does your face sting or feel itchy after completing your daily skincare routine? Chances are that you might be using the wrong cleanser for your skin. Some cleansers contain harsh ingredients that makes the skin even more susceptible to irritation. Therefore, as a rule of thumb, pick cleansers that are pH-balanced and more importantly, fragrance- and alcohol-free!
If you are looking for a mild cleanser, don’t forget to check out Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions™ Centella Sensitive Facial Cleanser. Its main ingredient is derived from Centella Asiatica, an ancient medicinal plant known for its ability to soothe the skin.
2. Always moisturise
Moisturising is a must in any skincare routine, but many tend to neglect this all-important step! A good facial moisturiser will help to hydrate the skin and restore the protective skin barrier with (good) lipids known as ceramides. However, we should be careful to not slather a thick layer of lotion on our faces. This is because doing so may clog our pores and, to add on to our headache, throw acne problems into the mix! What’s more, extra care must be taken to ensure that the products we utilise are dermatologically-tested and non-irritating.
The Body Shop offers a product range specially curated for the sensitive skin type. Do give their Aloe Soothing Moisture Lotion SPF15 (middle) a try. Not only does this moisturiser calms sensitive skin, but it doubles up as a sunscreen too!
3. Add a serum to your skincare routine
What is a serum and why should I add it to my skin routine? Well, I’m glad you asked! Serums are the gamechanger when it comes to skin improvement. Though moisturizers are great for providing hydration to the skin, they are designed to sit on top of the latter. Serums, on the other hand, are designed to penetrate deeply into the skin. Hence, they are known to enhance skin hydration to a whole new level. And good news to those dealing with acne (I feel you): serums help to fight the latter too!
To clinch the best results, give Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum a go. This product is laced with hyaluronic acid, which helps to draw in water and plump the outer skin layer. We trust that it will leave our skin refreshed and glowing!
4. Sunscreen is key
Applying sun protection regularly is a good habit for people of any skin type, but more so for those with sensitive skin. This is because the latter is particularly susceptible to UV radiation! Protect your skin from the scorching hot sun with products such as the NIVEA Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+.
5. Put a clean towel on your pillow
Fun fact: our pillowcases are actually pretty dirty. Though it isn’t obvious, their surfaces contain oil, dirt, dead skin cells and — no points for guessing — plenty of bacteria. Even better: as you toss and turn, unwanted dirt will transfer back to your skin. To prevent the accumulated grime from coming into contact with your face, it is advised that you place a clean towel over your pillow. This is super important if you are having a sleepover or staying in a hotel. Pro-tip: remember to change the towel each night!
