7 Skincare Tips To Rescue Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is a phenomenon that is more common than you think.

Researchers have found that almost 70% of women and 60% of men experience varying degrees of sensitive skin, from mild discomfort, redness, itchiness, breakouts to painful stinging sensation. These symptoms can be triggered by cosmetic products, medical conditions, allergies and even the weather. In this article, we have rounded up 7 skincare tips that can help soothe adverse skin reactions.

1) Create A Sensitive Skincare Routine

Less is more. When it comes to sensitive skin, layering more products introduces a greater number of ingredients and chemicals that may be a potential irritant. Pare down your sensitive skincare routine to the essentials. Look out for hypoallergenic beauty products that are free of irritants such as drying alcohols, parabens, phthalates and talc.

2) Avoid Overwashing & Over-Exfoliating Sensitive Skin

Our skin produces lipids and proteins that create a protective barrier against external stressors. Cleansing your face more than twice a day can strip it of its natural fatty acids and compromise your skin barrier. Harsh exfoliation using physical scrubs can cause micro tears which allow bacteria and chemicals to penetrate and trigger sensitive skin reactions. Skincare experts recommend washing your face no more than twice a day and exfoliating no more than two to three times a week.

3) Always Do A Patch Test

Patch tests are crucial in every sensitive skincare routine. When introducing a new product into your beauty ritual, always do a patch test on your jawline. Doing it near your jawline instead of on your wrist gives the most accurate result. Leave the product overnight and watch out for signs of irritation such as bumps, redness and skin tenderness. If there are no negative reactions, gradually increase the frequency or amount of product used to allow your sensitive skin to adjust.

4) Identify Your Triggers

What your sensitive skin is allergic to may not be the same for someone else. Keep a journal of things your skin is exposed to on a daily basis, including skincare, makeup and the environment you are in. When you experience a reaction, study the ingredient list of a new product you may have used to determine the culprit.

5) Soothe Irritations With A Calming Sheet Mask

When you experience an adverse skin reaction, streamline your sensitive skincare routine and include a soothing skincare product to calm your skin down. Save Saborino’s Otona Plus Night Masks for skin emergencies such as this. Its blend of healing ingredients alleviates symptoms of sensitive skin and leaves your skin feeling refreshed and comfortable.

Adopt New Lifestyle Habits

Stress and a lack of sleep can trigger cortisol production, a stress hormone that increases sensitivity of your skin. Being mindful of your mental wellness can be a preventive step to avoid a sensitive skin reaction. Cutting down or quitting smoking cigarettes and avoiding spending too much time in an environment with air pollution can reduce the likelihood of flare-ups as well.

Always Protect Against Sun Damage

Sensitive skin burns more easily in the sun. Limit your time spent in the sun especially between 10am – 2pm when the sun is at its strongest. Always apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 protection and reapply throughout the day to ensure continuous protection against harmful UV rays.

While it is impossible to avoid triggering a sensitive skin reaction completely, these skincare tips can greatly reduce the likelihood of skin irritation and help to boost your skin barrier function. A little extra care and attention paid to sensitive skin can yield beneficial results in the long run!