Sense and sensitivity

The go-to products for skin that tends to break out quickly

Elements such as weather, environment and hormones can lead to adverse reactions in skin. Furthermore, underlying medical conditions, such as rosacea, eczema and psoriasis, can also cause skin sensitivities. But is there anything else that could also be responsible? The answer lies in an improper use of skincare products.
If you have sensitive skin, simply using the wrong product or too many different products can leave your face itchy and inflamed. In addition, the implementation of complex skincare routines with multiple steps and products with more active ingredients create the perfect breeding ground for skin reactions.
So how do you find the culprits hiding in your skincare products?
Your first line of defence is to carry out a product elimination diet. Don't worry, the word diet has us stressed too but the process is quite simple. Temporarily set aside your normal skincare routine and go for a stripped-down version consisting of fragrance-free, soap-free and botanical-free products until your reaction clears completely. From there, you will need to reintroduce your old products, but only one per week. That way, it will be easy to pinpoint anything that causes a problem. Luckily, you are in control of the products you are buying, so this can easily be avoided.
Now that you have isolated the problematic product, we want to share some simple tips to live by when it comes to taking care of your skin.
* Gentle Cleanser - Day or night, opt for a gentle, sulphate-free cleanser, which is effective in removing your makeup and impurities without disrupting your skin's natural barrier. These types of cleansers should not lather and are cream-based emollients.
* Alcohol-Free Toner - If you have skin that gets red and irritated easily, products containing alcohol can be aggressive on your delicate skin. Go for a toner with anti-inflammatory and calming ingredients, such as green tea extracts and chamomile to soothe your skin.
* Fragrance-Free Moisturiser - All skin types need hydration. When it comes to choosing creams and moisturisers, make sure to find one that doesn't contain added fragrances, which can cause irritation and allergic reactions. As a rule, it is best to avoid alcohol and synthetic dyes if your skin gets irritated easily.
* Sun Protection - Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 to 30 with zinc oxide as part of your daily routine. SPFs with zinc oxide are least likely to irritate sensitive skin compared to chemical sunscreens.
* Sheet Mask - To soothe your skin, we recommend sheet masks for that added hydration, which also works for irritated skin. Place the mask in the fridge before you apply it for that cooling effect.
It's worth noting that it's not one product that makes your skin react, but an accumulated irritation from using multiple products. As a thumb rule, avoid fragrance, retinoids, scrubs, essential oils, chemical sunscreen and sulphates. If you follow these foolproof rules, you will never have to fall into the pitfalls of bad skin again.
wknd@khaleejtimes.com