Having sensitive skin might seem like a curse, but don’t despair as there are things you can do to improve its condition and your confidence.
Signs that you do have sensitive skin include:
Tight, uncomfortable feeling skin on your face, neck and body which is sometimes sore or sensitive to touch
Skin which easily dries out during flights
Skin which is drier in the winter and more oily during the summer
Embarrassing flushes after eating spicy food or drinking alcohol
The appearance of red patches which don’t fade
Areas of uneven texture
Blemishes and breakouts
Dryness and flakiness
Reactions to skincare products and washing powders
Rashes from the heat
Sensitive skin is generally caused when the nerve endings in the top layer of the skin become irritated. This occurs because your natural barrier function becomes weaker and the triggers for this happening include:
Air conditioning and central heating
Using the wrong skin care products and washing powders
Extreme weather conditions
The chemicals found in cleaning products
Hormonal changes
Bathing and showing in hard water
Stress
Pregnancy
Menopause
Dirt and pollution
Smoking
Swimming pool chlorine
Of course, you can’t change the weather or move house just so you can have soft water, but you can take some of the issues on board and find a way to look after your skin in a different way so it doesn’t take over your life.
Some of the easiest steps include:
Using to products that are specifically made for sensitive skin can be a positive step in the right direction. Our team are always happy to help look at what might work for you, so do get in touch if that would help.
Once you have products you ae happy with, start and end each day by cleansing away the dirt of day from your face, then using a toner and suitable moisturiser. Use a hydrating moisturiser and consider adding a serum to your beauty routine for added protection and care.
Don’t scrub at your skin as this can cause increased sensitivity.
Makeup wise, we suggest going for a natural look to allow your skin to breathe, so don’t apply too much foundation if you can help it.
If you’re going outside, even when it is cloudy, apply a suncream to protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays and wear at hat or cap between 12 and 3pm.
If you work in an air-conditioned environment, there is even more need to use the right moisturiser as this will help prevent your skin from drying out. Why not keeping this on your desk or in your bag, so you can reapply it when needed during the day?
If you smoke, stop.
Eat a well-balanced diet, take exercise and drinking plenty of water so your skin is hydrated.
When you do the washing up or cleaning, wear rubber gloves as this can help ease dry skin on your hands and apply a rich hand cream and we are sure you will see smoother, softer skin.
If you think it could be your washing powder that is making your arms and legs itch, maybe switch to a fragrance free, non-biological option and see if it makes a difference.
If you continue to suffer, maybe speak to your GP who might be able to offer additional suggestion or alternative treatments.
Last updated on 15/05/2018.