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A lot of my friends have complained about having sensitive skin. As someone with combination skin, I thought I had the worst of it, but listening to their problems made me realise that it is trickier to predict and treat sensitive skin. From environmental changes, pollution, and diet to specific ingredients and textures of skincare or makeup products – anything can trigger sensitive skin. The reactions also come with a range of different pain levels and can occur at any moment. It can be as mild as redness and dryness or intense burning and uncomfortable tightness.
So, I set out to help out my friends and in the process learned everything anyone needs to about sensitive skin. If you’ve also been struggling with skin sensitivities and want to figure out the best skincare and makeup products you can use, I have curated the ultimate list of things you need to watch out for. But before we dive into that, let’s do a quick review of what exactly sensitive skin is and why it flares up, along with understanding the kind of sensitive skin you may have – yes there are different types! Keep scrolling to learn more.
What Is Sensitive Skin And What Triggers It?
As per a study, sensitive skin is a sensory reaction without a chemical manifestation that cosmetics and environmental factors (such as dust, pollution, humidity, wind, or heat) can trigger. Active ingredients in cosmetics can also cause flare-ups in sensitive skin and it is best to use mild products with no harsh chemicals. Both over-drying and extremely creamy formulations can also cause breakouts in sensitive skin and knowing your skin type is key. Let’s understand what type of sensitive skin you may have with this guide.
Types Of Sensitive Skin
The underlying causes and symptoms dictate the type of sensitive skin you may have. Here are the different categories:
- Dry: While dryness can present in normal skin types, sensitive dry skin has more aggressive symptoms. People with sensitive dry skin witness discomfort due to tightness and even flaking, or peeling of the skin if not treated with gentle care.
- Oily: Sensitive skin that is oily leads to excessive breakouts and tends to be acne-prone. As the excess oil clogs the pores, deeply cleansing the skin seems like the obvious choice. But you cannot use over-drying products on sensitive skin and finding balance is key.
- Natural: Genetic predispositions are the most common explanation of sensitive skin. If you have irritation without any apparent trigger, it may mean genetic factors could be causing the sensitivity, as per a study.
- Thin: Age-related changes like thinning of your skin cause the layers to become fragile and sensitive. This can cause dryness and irritation. You may also witness unexplained bruising on parts of your skin.
- Reactive: Environmental allergens or certain ingredients from cosmetics or food easily irritate reactive skin, which is visible as hives along with redness, itching, and swelling. Similarly, physical factors like over-exfoliation, friction from shaving, or waxing can cause reactive sensitive skin to have an intense sensation of stinging or burns.
What To Look For: Skincare
1. Fragrance-Free
Fragrances can be harmful to sensitive skin and opting for mild lotions is the better option. The Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion is gentle on the skin and attracts moisture to create a protective barrier on the skin. It restores the natural pH balance of the skin and is clinically proven to soothe dry skin.
2. No Parabens, Sulphates, or Silicones
While parabens, sulphates, or silicones are known to deeply cleanse the skin, they can strip the skin of essential oils and cause harm to sensitive skin. The Aminu Marine Clay Mask nourishes the skin while deeply cleansing it without any harmful ingredients. Its USP is the Canadian marine clay that is produced from a meteorite.
3. Hypoallergenic
The Simple Kind mild face wash designed for sensitive skin should be your go-to if you often witness reactions from allergens. Dermatologically tested and hypoallergenic, this non-comedogenic cleanser will revitalise and nourish your skin.
4. Non-Greasy
Mineral sunscreens are preferable for sensitive skin as they do not deeply absorb into the skin but simply create a barrier on the surface. The 100% mineral sunscreen from Clinique is lightweight and gentle enough to be used around the eyes.
5. Anti-Inflammatory
When redness and itchiness strike, having calming gels on hand will help manage the discomfort. The soothing aloe gel from TONYMOLY can be used on both the face and body and instantly calms sensitive skin while adding much-needed moisture.
What To Look For: Makeup
1. Non-comedogenic
Non-comedogenic simply means that the product won’t settle into your pores, which can lead to breakouts. Buying products labelled non-comedogenic is the key to caring for sensitive and acne-prone skin. The Sculpting Concealer from Too Faced is a multi-tasker that can be used as a contour and highlight. It’s also available in 35 shades – talk about inclusive.
2. Dermatologically Tested
If you love a dewy finish, opt for the dermatologically-tested The Body Shop nude foundation which contains 95% ingredients of natural origin. It is also enriched with Vitamin E and fair-trade organic aloe vera so it’s great for all types of sensitive skin. What’s more? The packaging is 100% recyclable so its good for the skin and the planet.
3. Clean Pigments
Ensuring every product you use is made with skin-safe ingredients can be tough, especially for products like highlighters that are layered over foundations rather than being directly applied to the skin. Enter The Daughter Earth Illuminator. It uses Ecocert-certified mica and clean pigments, while being clinically proven actives that have been extracted from botanicals.
4. Natural Ingredients
Tints are easier on the skin as compared to creamy emulsified lipsticks that can be drying. Try The Ayurveda Co. Beetroot Pink Lip & Cheek Tint which is made of skin-friendly vegan ingredients. The long-lasting formula adds hydration and promotes moisture retention.
5. Alcohol-Free
Removing every bit of your makeup is a very important part of caring for your skin and this Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water helps you do just that. It is free of alcohol that can be drying and cause irritation and cleanses the skin of dirt and pollutants along with makeup.
FAQs
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What is highly sensitive skin?
Technically known as ‘cutaneous sensory syndrome’, sensitive skin is a condition that causes hypersensitivity to stressors and stimuli, as per a study. People with sensitive skin frequently witness redness, itching, and a burning sensation.
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Which skin is most sensitive?
While sensitive skin can occur on any part of the body, the skin on your face is the most exposed to elements and hence, more susceptible to sensitivity.
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How rare is sensitive skin?
Many people tend to have sensitive skin and present varying levels of symptoms. As per a study, about 70% of the population complained of having the characteristics of sensitive skin and 50% demonstrated discomfort.
