Sensitive skin is more challenging than normal skin, as it easily gets irritated by environmental factors and skincare products. This is why taking extra care of your skin is important if you are experiencing sensitive skin.
A proper skincare routine can help you achieve healthy and radiant skin. In this blog, 5 efficacious methods for managing your sensitive skin.
Table of Contents
1. Understanding Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is caused when the skin’s protective barrier is disturbed. The skin cannot retain moisture, and irritants and bacteria can easily penetrate the skin. This result is irritated, red, dry, itchy skin.
Sensitive is usually caused either due to dehydration, environmental factors or any underlying skin condition. It causes visible changes to the skin that can be observed with the naked eye, such as redness, swelling, and soreness.
1.1 Signs of Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin manifests both subjective and objective signs. Objective signs are visible and can be easily identified, while subjective signs are actually the sensations experienced by the person having sensitive skin.
- Redness
- Dryness
- Rashes
- Breakout and acne
- Itchiness
- Sunburns
- Reactive skin
- Burning sensation
1.2 Triggers of Sensitive Skin
Sometimes sensitive skin is triggered by common factors such as:
- Ageing
- Dehydration
- Harsh chemicals in products
- Medication
- Hormonal changes
- Pollution
- Dry skin
It may also be caused or triggered by some underlying skin or medical conditions like:
- Eczema
- Irritant contact dermatitis
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Rosacea
- Photodermatoses
2. Effective Methods for Managing Sensitive Skin
We have listed down some of the most effective ways to take care of and manage your sensitive skin. Say hello to healthy, glowing skin.
2.1. Proper Skincare Routine
Following a proper skincare routine is essential for managing sensitive skin. The routine must include cleansing and moisturizing of the skin. Clean your skin at least twice daily, once in the morning and once at night before going to bed.
Cleansing helps in removing bacteria and irritants from the skin and removes dead skin cells. Choose a mild, gentle cleanser for cleaning your skin.
The second step in a sensitive skincare routine is moisturizing. The protective barrier of sensitive skin is disrupted, so it becomes dry more often. Moisturize your skin after cleansing your skin.
If you feel that your skin is becoming dry more often, you can increase the use of moisturizer. But make sure to use a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizer.
2.2. Gentle Skincare Products
Choosing the right skincare products is as important as maintaining the right skincare routine. A proper skincare routine for sensitive skin involves cleansing and moisturizing.
Choose a cleanser that is non-soap and does not contain any harsh chemicals such as fragrance, sulfate, and paraben. These harsh chemicals strip away oil from the skin, making it drier and more irritated.
Sensitive skin can easily get irritated due to harsh chemicals this is why choose a moisturizer that contains natural ingredients such as liquorice root extract, glycerin, oatmeal extract, and apple fruit extract. These ingredients are known for soothing sensitive, itchy, irritated skin.
Any moisturizer can help hydrate your skin, but if you are experiencing sensitive skin, choose one that does not contain fragrances, artificial dyes, and parabens, as these chemicals can worsen the condition.
The best moisturizer for sensitive, dry skin is the one that is hypoallergenic. These moisturizers do not irritate the skin and help repair the protective skin barrier.
2.3. Treating Skin Conditions
Sometimes sensitive skin is a sign of certain underlying skin conditions. Some of the most common are cradle cap, eczema, irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and rosacea.
To manage sensitive skin caused by these conditions, it is important first to alleviate these conditions. To get rid of these skin conditions, it is important to consult a dermatologist.
They will properly diagnose which skin condition is causing your sensitive skin and provide you with a proper treatment plan according to it.
The treatment for these skin issues will also involve taking care of the skin by following a skincare routine that involves cleansing and moisturizing, and the doctor may prescribe some topical steroids or oral medications if your symptoms are severe.
2.4. Avoid Triggers
Sensitive skin, if caused by any allergens and irritants, can be easily managed by avoiding the triggers.
- If sensitive skin is caused by a reaction to the chemicals of certain skincare products, try avoiding them and using those products that contain natural ingredients.
- If sun exposure is the culprit, then try avoiding direct exposure to sunlight. And if you still need to go out in the sun, cover most parts of your skin. And protect your skin with the help of a sunscreen.
- If a certain medication is causing your sensitive skin, then discontinue its use and consult your doctor.
- If hormonal changes are the reason behind sensitive skin, consult your dermatologist they may prescribe some medications.
2.5. Balanced Diet
Maintaining a balanced diet is as important as a skincare routine. The body needs to be healthy on the inside if you want healthy skin on the outside.
- Keep the body hydrated, dehydration can also cause sensitive, dry skin.
- Drink 9 to 13 cups of water daily to keep the body hydrated.
- Eat healthy fruits and vegetables.
- Try avoiding oily, starchy food, as these can worsen the condition.
- If you are allergic to nuts, milk, or soy, try avoiding them.
- Avoid the use of alcohol and caffeine in your diet.
3. When to see your doctor
There are many factors that can cause sensitive skin. Sometimes, it can easily be managed at home by taking proper care of the skin, but at times, immediate treatment is vital to get rid of sensitive skin.
This is mostly the cause if your sensitive skin is caused by an allergic reaction or due to any skin condition like eczema vs rosacea, sebhorrheic dematitis, or contact dermatitis.
If you are experiencing any of the following, consult your doctor so that they can provide you with the right treatment.
- Unsure about which skin condition is causing your sensitive skin.
- Have difficulty breathing
- Having a sore throat
- Swelling in the body
- Intense fever
- If your condition is not getting better with at-home treatment.
4. Conclusion
Managing sensitive skin needs attention and patience. You can easily manage your sensitive skin at home by avoiding the triggers, maintaining a proper skincare routine, choosing the right products, and keeping the body hydrated.
If your sensitive skin is caused by skin conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis, and rosacea then consulting a dermatologist is the best idea as they will properly diagnose your condition and provide you with the best treatment plan.
Remember never to panic and get stressed if you are experiencing sensitive skin. It will only make the condition worse.
