We all know it can take a really long time to find the right combination of products to keep your skin in check, and even when you think you’ve found your Holy Grail products, a change of season or hormonal upheaval can really throw a spanner in the works. This process is made even more difficult if you have sensitive skin. To get our heads around this #firstworldproblem and share important information and the best products to use, we spoke to skin and nutrition expert, Fiona Tuck, and Emma Hobson, Education Manager for the International Dermal Institute and Dermalogica. Here’s what we found out.
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What is sensitive skin?
The skin has a natural protective barrier called the ‘lipid barrier’, which helps to maintain moisture in the skin. Fiona tells us that people with sensitive skin often have a weakened or damaged lipid barrier, which “leads to dehydration and therefore more reactive and sensitive skin”.
What causes sensitive skin?
Fiona and Emma list the most common causes of sensitive skin:
- Weather conditions (such as extreme cold, dryness, indoor heating or air conditioning)
- Adrenal stress
- Over-exfoliation
- Overuse of drying astringent products
- Flying
- Illness
- Low fat diets
- Poor nutrition
- Some medications
What are the side effects?
Unfortunately, there are many side effects of sensitive skin that can affect day-to-day life and they’re not pretty. (But fear not, there are heaps of products to help… I’ll get to that!) Emma gives us a few examples:
- Increased heat in the skin
- Itchiness
- Stinging
- Redness
- Tight, dry and flaky skin
- Rough skin
- Dull-looking skin
- Stinging or burning sensations when applying some products
- Increased breakouts
Which ingredients should be avoided?
To ensure you don’t aggravate your sensitive skin or cause any of the above side effects, Fiona recommends staying away from “abrasive exfoliants, glycolic acid, retinoic acid, highly perfumed beauty products, chemical peels and microdermabrasion”. She also warns against using multiple products as this can cause overstimulation of the skin. Emma adds that sensitive skin sufferers should steer clear of SD alcohol, heat-generating products and lanolin, and to exercise caution when using actives, retin-A- and retinol-based products, especially if in a high percentage.
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Which ingredients are recommended?
Luckily, there are loads of ingredients that can be used on sensitive skin, but it’s all about the way you use them. Fiona explains, “The key to treating sensitive skin is to introduce new products slowly into a home routine so as to not overstimulate the skin.” She recommends using protective, hydrating and strengthening ingredients such as green tea extract, anti-inflammatory vitamin C, niacinamide (vitamin B3) and soothing ingredients such as aloe, chamomile, calendula, goji and raspberry extract which all help to reduce redness. Oil-based products are also recommended as they “help to reinforce the natural barrier function of the skin”. Some oils to look out for are rosehip, macadamia, jojoba, olive, and avocado.
Emma lists the ingredients that help to promote the production of natural anti-inflammatories within the skin, soothe and reduce irritation and redness, and improve the natural barrier function of the skin. These include:
- Boerhavia diffusa (red hogweed) root extract
- Oat avenanthramides
- Ginger and bisabolol
- Evening primrose
- Borage seed
- Oat kernel
- Silicones
- Titanium and zinc oxides (look for these in your sunscreens)
As with any natural function of the body, food can also play an important role in helping your skin repair itself. For those with sensitive skin, Fiona recommends anti-inflammatory foods such as fruits and vegetables, along with omega-3-rich foods such as salmon, tuna, nuts, and seeds. The best things to avoid are alcohol, coffee, processed meats, bread, pasta, rice, noodles, chips, and anything with a high sugar content.
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Now that we know exactly what causes sensitive skin and how to protect it, let’s take a look at the products that need to be in your beauty kit, stat!
Face
Face
Face
Face
Face
Face
Face
Body
Body
Body
Body
Body
Body
Baby/Kids
Baby/Kids
Billie Goat Soap Billie Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Baby/Kids
Baby/Kids
Baby/Kids
Baby/Kids
Hair
DermaVeen Daily Nourish Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner
Hair
Hair
Hair
Hair
L’Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Eversleek Frizz Taming Crème Serum
Make-up
Make-up
Make-up
Make-up
Make-up
Make-up
So many great products! I’d love to try the Dermalogica calming range
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