Hey there, my sensitive-skin-sufferer buddy! Tried tons of lotions, potions, and serums, but still feel like a human tomato? Just when you hope that everything is fine, redness, irritation, and that perpetual feeling of having a sunburn reappear.

BEEN THERE DONE THAT. Don’t worry, I saved all the tips and tricks. I’m sure it will change your life too (or at least your bad skincare habits).

Salt, throw away harsh exfoliators, lower the water temperature. Let’s make that sensitive skin less angry!

What is sensitive skin?

First, you need to know that it is not a skin type but a condition. It occurs as a result of impaired skin barrier function. It can happen to anyone with normal, oily, dry or combination skin.

The signs can be inflammatory reactions that are not caused by a specific substance, such as an allergy. “Sensitive skin” is not uncommon or a disease in itself.

Although there is no specific cure for sensitive skin, it can be controlled and reduced. The solution to the problem lies in understanding this condition, the causes of its occurrence, as well as the factors that make it worse.

How do I know if I have sensitive skin?

The simplest way to determine your skin’s sensitivity is to monitor its reactions. To start, check if you have the following symptoms:

  • flaking
  • redness
  • swelling
  • roughness

Now, they can be accompanied by unpleasant sensations such as itching, stinging, burning or tightness especially if you are exposed to external factors such as wind, sun or cold weather for a long time.

So, consider whether your skin becomes easily red or irritated without external influence. Speaking of the sun, do you burn quickly even when using sunscreen? It can also be a sign of an issue. This condition is often associated with an allergy, as the symptoms are similar.

However, the allergy is more intense and cannot be solved with a skincare routine. Remember, sensitive skin can vary in severity.

Tip: If you have any doubts or questions, consult a dermatologist.

 

What causes sensitive skin reactions?

There is a wide range of factors. It can be the influence of harsh weather conditions. For example, if you are exposed to extremely low and high temperatures daily. Equally dangerous is the poor composition of skincare products.

So, don’t trust every TikTok recommendation. Most of those PR packages contain products with many chemicals and perfumes. Always check the ingredients before you include them in your skincare routine.

Avoiding allergens if you have eczema, rosacea or psoriasis is especially important! In addition to genetics, age also has a great influence. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and more delicate.

Other skin conditions have similar symptoms but different solutions

Sun Allergies – You may have heard of “sun rash” or “photosensitivity.” It’s the same thing. It is a red rash on the skin that is accompanied by itching.

It spreads throughout the summer, and sometimes blisters are formed. It can be hereditary, but they can occur after prolonged exposure to strong sunlight. Protection of the skin barrier and mandatory use of SPF throughout the year is recommended.

Dehydrated skin – Localized burning in specific places, caused by poor maintenance and water loss. Also includes fine wrinkles and lines, increased sebum production and gray hair.

If the skin condition is not improved, the skin can become very sensitive. This means that it is susceptible to bacteria and the effects of pollution. In order to prevent this, hydrating serums and moisturizers are used daily.

Dry skin – What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin? Dry skin is congenital and does not disappear, while dehydration is transient.

Symptoms are: skin tightening, powder wear, eczema, roughness, itching or burning sensation.

Tips for sensitive skin issues

Ah, this condition can be a bit tricky to identify. What works for you may not work for others, and you can do nothing about it. However, there are universal tips that everyone’s skin will love.

Whether you have severe physical symptoms or are just uncomfortable most of the time, improve your skin-care routine. Don’t worry; I’m not going to tell you to buy a ton of expensive products.

In fact, I advise you to do the opposite. Get rid of unnecessary products that only irritate your face, and introduce some gentleness into your routine. Here’s what I actually mean by that.

Use gentle skincare products

After every used skin-care product, do you feel as if you just rolled your face in sandpaper? Ouch, your face is in desperate need of gentler products.

To begin with, forget about aesthetic packaging and focus on the ingredients list. It will take you to the right place. Next, remove everything containing soaps, fragrances, and alcohol from the beauty shelf.

Now that you’ve gotten rid of the ingredients that trigger sensitive skin issue symptoms, it’s time to go shopping. Choose a hydrating cream for sensitive skin and skin prone to rosacea, eczema and allergies.

Keep your skincare routine simple

I also can’t resist TikTok titles like “10-step Korean skincare”, but they’re just for viewing. Nothing more. Please don’t do this to your skin which is already a ticking time bomb.

In order for your face to be clean, hydrated, and not irritated, you will only need a few products. These are: gentle cleanser, moisturizer, skin barrier repair balm (CICAPLAST Baume B5+), gentle exfoliator, and mineral SPF.

Avoid hot water

Hot baths are relaxing for our mind and body, but your skin is more like – get me out of here! The body’s skin is thicker, so there will be no problems with normal skin.

However, washing with hot water can severely damage your facial skin barrier. It will dry it out and strip it of its natural oils that keep it hydrated and healthy.

The ideal water temperature is lukewarm.

Manage stress

Stress affects the health of many organs. Therefore, sensitive skin can also be a consequence of internal factors. When you are frustrated, nerve endings fire pain signals, and blood vessels in the face dilate.

This causes visible redness and a feeling of heat on the face and neck. To prevent this from happening, adopt stress management techniques. These can be relaxation activities such as aromatic oil therapy, meditation, yoga, or a combination thereof.

Try abdominal breathing exercises, short walks, or jogging for an instant effect. If you’ve been struggling with stress for a long time, try cognitive-behavioral therapy guided by an expert.

Watch your diet

Spicy foods are known to increase body temperature, which makes us flush again. That’s why avoiding such foods is best if you have reactive skin. I must not forget about the use of alcoholic beverages.

It is one of the main causes of sensitive skin. There are two reasons for that. It causes the expansion of blood vessels in the skin and acts as a diuretic (eliminates water from the body).

To sum it up, be moderate!

Conclusion:

I hope it is now clearer to you where the red spots, itching, and dryness on your face come from. Don’t forget about internal factors too! You can finally end the frustrating and painful experience by following the tips we’ve discussed today.

Remember, finding the right routine may take some trial and error. But if you persevere, you will be on your way to happy, healthy skin.