Face Routine for Sensitive Skin - Dos and Don'ts of Proper Skincare Routine

Skincare has become an essential part of daily hygiene for both women and men. While everyone desires flawless skin, achieving it can be challenging, especially for those with sensitive skin. However, having sensitive skin doesn’t mean you can't keep it healthy and well cared for. If you struggle with skin sensitivity, there are many ways to manage it and maintain your skin’s best condition.

In this article, we’ll explore effective skincare tips, the best ingredients for sensitive skin, and common mistakes to avoid. Keep reading to learn more!

How to Know If You Have Sensitive Skin

Before we show you how to take care of sensitive skin, let's first see if you have sensitive or normal skin. There are several telltale signs, for example, if you often experience skin discomfort for no apparent reason. Maybe your skin reacts strongly, even when you use gentle products. That's because many skin care products can irritate sensitive skin, even if they are otherwise great.

If you frequently have irritated skin or if it feels dry, tight, flaky, and even itchy, there is no doubt that your skin is sensitive. You may also be prone to breakouts, acne, or rashes. This can get even worse when the weather changes or under extreme weather conditions, such as extreme colds or too much sun.

It's also worth noting that all skin types can be sensitive. This is not limited to people with a dry skin type. You can have oily skin, or even combination skin, and still experience certain issues and discomfort that come with sensitive skin.

Your Routine for Managing Sensitive Skin

If you are experiencing the abovementioned symptoms, you need to learn how to treat sensitive skin:

Protect Your Skin Barrier

Naturally, your skin contains moisture and natural oils. If you strip your skin from those oils, you will disturb your skin's moisture barrier. When this barrier is disturbed, your skin can become dry, red, covered in patches, and easily irritated. To prevent this from happening, wash and cleanse your skin gently twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.

Use gentle products. You don't even have to use any products if your skin isn't too dirty. Sometimes, just washing it with plain water will be more than enough. After each wash, generously apply a moisturizing cream rich in hyaluronic acid on your face. This will strengthen your skin's moisture barrier and protect your skin from drying out.

Be Gentle When Removing the Dead Skin Cells

Speaking of protecting your skin barrier, you need to be careful when exfoliating and removing dead skin cells. First of all, don't do it too often. Once a week is more than enough. Use gentle exfoliators and avoid those with large particles that can cause micro-abrasions on your face.

Don't scrub your skin too roughly. Make gentle and circular movements with the tips of your fingers. Imagine you are caressing or massaging the skin. Also, try to use natural exfoliators, such as baking soda, honey, flax seed, etc. Instead of exfoliating products, you can use exfoliating gloves or towels. Make sure to wash these gloves or towels after every use.

Wear Sun Protection

If you have sensitive skin prone to sunburns, you need to protect it with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. The sun's harmful rays are dangerous even for people with normal skin. They can cause sunburns, premature aging, dark spots, and even skin cancer. Now, imagine how damaging the sun can be if your skin is sensitive.

So, before going outside, apply a broad-spectrum SPF to your face, neck, hands, and other exposed body parts. Use products with high coverage of at least 30+ SPF. If you are going to a beach or swimming pool, reapply the sunscreen every 60-90 minutes and watch out for any sudden changes on your skin.

Find Out What Triggers You

Every skin is unique, and that includes sensitive skin. While sensitive skin is easily triggered and irritated, the triggers and irritants may vary from one person to another. To protect your skin from breaking out and getting irritated, find out what your triggers are.

These could be various chemicals in cosmetic products, pollutants, foods, and environmental substances. Once you figure out what triggers you, you can try to avoid it or somehow protect yourself against these triggers.

Stay Hydrated and Use Hydrating Masks

Proper hydration is crucial for healthy skin, which is something we often neglect. To keep your skin hydrated, drink enough water and eat fruits and vegetables with a high water content. Supplement this by using hydrating masks that will additionally hydrate your skin cells.

Use Sensitive Skincare Products

When you are looking for skincare products, look for those that are made for sensitive skin. They usually contain ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Shea butter, chamomile, and Vitamin E. Before the first use of any new product, do a patch test to test your skin sensitivity. Apply the product to one small part of your skin and wait a few hours. If nothing bad happens, the product is safe to use.

Here is a short list of products that you will need for your routine:

• First, use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser designed for sensitive skin.
• Then, apply an alcohol-free toner that won't disrupt the pH balance of your skin.
• Next, use a serum with hyaluronic acid or niacinamide that will soothe and hydrate your skin.
• Don't forget a gentle and fragrance-free moisturizer that will lock the moisture within the skin cells.
• Finally, use a (preferably mineral) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 and above.

Wear Makeup with Caution

If you like to wear makeup, you probably know how hard it is to pull out certain makeup looks without having your skin break out. Again, you can still enjoy makeup even with sensitive skin, but you need to be more cautious. For example, your choice of makeup products can make all the difference.

First of all, never skip the skin preparation. Use a soothing primer and a mineral-based sunscreen. The makeup products you will use should be fragrance- and alcohol-free, as well as hypoallergenic. Regardless of if you use sponges or brushes, they should always be clean.

Try to limit your time wearing makeup, and don't go to bed without taking it off. When removing the makeup, use fragrance-free micellar water, and don't forget to wash your face after using it. Don't use makeup wipes, as they often contain alcohol, various fragrances, and other unnecessary ingredients that will irritate your skin.

Seek Professional Help

Finally, don't hesitate to seek professional help. Sometimes, sensitive skin can be a sign of certain skin issues, such as psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea. With a good skincare routine, you can reduce the symptoms of these skin conditions, but you will need proper therapy to actually address the real issue. Who knows, maybe your skin isn't sensitive, but it has some other issues that make it look sensitive.

Additionally, a dermatologist will be able to recommend an optimal skincare routine for your skin. If you try to do it on your own, there will be a lot of trial and error. Trying to figure out an ideal routine on your own will be a frustrating, time-consuming, and frustrating process. Make the process easier for yourself - consult a professional.

Things to Avoid When Taking Care of Your Sensitive Skin

Now that you know what to do when dealing with sensitive skin, you might be wondering what not to do. The list is long. First, avoid using harsh products, especially those containing fragrances, alcohol, or other ingredients that can irritate your skin. These can be problematic even for normal skin, so it’s no surprise that they can cause significant issues for sensitive skin.

Similarly, steer clear of essential oils, tea tree oil, and other natural products that may still be too harsh. Also, be cautious with home remedies—while some may be helpful, others can make your condition worse.

Remember that your skin’s health isn’t just about the products you use. Your diet and lifestyle also play a role. Certain foods can make your skin more reactive and prone to breakouts. Smoking, alcohol consumption, and exposure to cigarette smoke can also contribute to skin problems.

One of the biggest mistakes is ignoring the issue. Failing to address skin concerns can make them worse over time, affecting both your skin and overall well-being.

Lastly, don’t expect perfection. Everyone has imperfections, and even the healthiest skin will have bad days. Comparing yourself to people on social media can be misleading, as images are often edited to create the illusion of flawless skin.

Conclusion

Healthy skin is more than just a matter of appearance. Your skin is your largest organ and the barrier between your body and the outer world. Sometimes, that barrier can become a bit sensitive. If you are one of the people struggling with sensitive skin, you know how frustrating and uncomfortable it can be. Hopefully, this article has helped you create a better routine for your skin. Follow our tips, seek professional help, and you will soon notice the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Good Face Routine for Sensitive Skin?

Above all, it is important that you choose gentle and natural products that won't strip your skin from its natural oils and disrupt its barrier. Don't use too many products just because you have seen celebrities and influencers advertising them. Stick to the basics: a cleanser/face wash, tonic, serum, moisturizer, and sun protection. Before introducing any new product, do a skin patch test on your wrist or another place. Consult your dermatologist when coming up with a skincare routine.

What Is the Best Thing for Sensitive Skin on the Face?

Look for soothing and hydrating products with ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Shea butter, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide. Such products will make your skin feel soft and healthy. Of course, if you notice that any of these ingredients aren't great for you, abstain from using them. Just because they are great for others doesn't mean that they will be great for you. With the help of a reliable dermatologist, try different products until you find the ones that suit you and your skin.

What Not to Use on Sensitive Skin?

When you have sensitive skin, many ingredients and compounds can damage and irritate it. For example, many products contain fragrances and essential oils, which can irritate your skin. Another harmful compound is certainly alcohol, so try to avoid products that contain it. Unfortunately, many modern skincare and cosmetic products contain sulfates and parabens, which can also irritate your skin and cause lasting damage.