10 Hacks for Sensitive Skin
Have sensitive skin and need help with taking care of it? Read on!
Put your hand up if you have ever been victimized by your high maintenance (aka sensitive) skin. My skin is the Regina George of skin. She’s princess-like, and doesn’t have time or patience for any products she doesn’t deem fit. For this reason, you can imagine I’ve gone through my fair share of skincare products. You’ve heard me complain about #SensitiveSkinProblems before, so it thought it would only be fair to share a few beauty hacks for sensitive skin I’ve learned along the way.
1. Read Labels
As tedious as it may be, it’s wise to read the labels of anything you’ll be putting on your skin – directly or indirectly. This includes skincare, makeup, deodorant, laundry detergent and so on. Be sure to keep a watchful eye for products with fragrances (fragrances can be listed as fragrance or parfum) and paraben preserves. These ingredients are two of the most common culprits of irritation. A rule of thumb: the shorter the ingredient list, the better.
2. Get Allergy Tested
If your skin is giving you constant problems with irritation and flareups – you may want to get allergy tested! You can be tested from a list of the most common beauty allergens. A few years ago, I was surprised to find out I am allergic to *Googles spelling* triethanolamine. How’s that for a mouthful! This sneaky ingredient is pH balancer found in many beauty products including cleansers, eye gels, shampoos, shaving creams. If you discover you are allergic to an ingredient, make sure you’re aware of the other names it can go by. Triethanolamine can be listed under a handful of other names including “Triethylolamine”, “TEA” and “Trolamine”. Why? To make our lives more difficult, obviously!
3. Perform a Patch Test
A quick and easy way to see if you will react to a new beauty product is to conduct a patch test. First, select a small hidden patch of skin, such as on your inner thigh or behind your ear. Apply a small amount of the product. Wait 24 hours, and see if signs of irritation or redness appear. If you’re all clear after 24 hours, you’re safe to apply on your face!
4. Apply Products Gently
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but applying products to your skin gently can reduce chances of inflammation and irritation. If you use makeup brushes or sponges, make sure they are soft to the touch. Applying foundation with a makeup brush with harsh bristles may cause irritation if your skin is super sensitive. Avoid these like the plague. Make sure to be extra gentle around your eyes as the skin is more fragile.
5. Protect From Sun Damage
In 2016, this shouldn’t be news – but the sun is actually really harmful to your skin. Ladies, whether you have sensitive skin or not, sun protection is vital. Just the fact that it causes wrinkles should be reason enough to protect yourself from the sun. If you have sensitive skin, you are even more at risk from sun damage, which has some nasty side effects. Keep your skin happy and healthy and apply that SPF!
6. Moisturize
The healthier your skin, the less cranky it will become. Remember to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Sensitive skin is prone to dryness, so applying a soothing moisturizer on the daily will prevent it from getting dehydrated. Make sure your moisturizer is hypoallergenic and made for sensitive skin. I also highly recommend face masks! Not only do they restore your skin, but they’re also super relaxing. Lately I’ve been applying a face mask and meditating before bed once a week to reduce anxiety and leave my skin glowing!
