Every person’s skin is unique and each one of them would probably tell you they’ve had a skin struggle at one point or another. However, it’s mostly those with sensitive skin that find themselves in the most complex predicament.
Sensitive skin isn’t just about getting the right product, it’s about finding a harmony of ingredients that will deeply nurture your skin and give it the protection it needs while pairing it with a healthy lifestyle that will nourish your body inside out.
But hey, we get it. It sounds like a full-time job and you’re probably already feeling intimidated. Finding out where to start is always the hardest, but once you go down the sensitive skin path, there everything will play out naturally.
The biggest thing we can promise you’ll get out of this journey is learning how to listen to your skin so that you know exactly what it needs from you.
If that sounds exciting and you can’t wait to find out how to build the perfect skincare routine for sensitive skin, this is the place for you!
Let’s dive into our guide for sensitive skin and get you the complexion of your dreams!
Sensitive Skin 101
By now, you must have heard about the different skin types - normal, sensitive, oily, dry, and combination. But did you know that skin belonging to any of these categories can also fall into one of them: sensitive?
Sensitive skin can be oily, problematic, acne-prone, dry, and flaky, all of the above. Oftentimes these issues occur, among other things, because of improper treatment.
So, what constitutes sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin is susceptible to irritation from outside agents of varying kinds - fragrances, sun, pollution, harsh chemicals, you name it.
Usually, people with fair complexion have sensitive skin, as the lack of melanin leaves it unprotected against irritants. However, that’s not to say that darker skin cannot also be sensitive.
The most common signs of skin irritation are redness, itching, and burning, especially around the nose and mouth, as well as around the eyes. Skin like this can be pretty difficult to figure out and can be unwittingly triggered by the slightest of things.
Not to mention that stress, hormones, and bad diet can be huge contributing factors to flare-ups, which are often overlooked. If these three things aren’t in order, products can only go so far.
Skincare Tips for Sensitive Skin
Now that you understand the essentials of sensitive skin, let's dive into the specific steps you can take to create an effective skincare routine for sensitive skin and treat it with the care it deserves.
1. Restore the Skin Barrier
An often-forgotten, but crucial component of healthy skin is the barrier. As its name implies, it is tasked with keeping outside irritants, pollutants, and dirt from penetrating deeper layers of your skin.
However, most people’s skin barrier is unfortunately damaged.
The ramifications of this are numberless - acne, redness and inflammation, atopic dermatitis, dryness, increased oil production, etc.
The best products that will help you with this are those with main ingredients such as aloe, Centella Asiatica (Cica), panthenol, ceramides, etc.
2. Limit Strong Actives
Actives have been all the rage in recent years, so this may seem counterintuitive, but trust us - hit pause on actives.
The most commonly used ones are retinoids (including retinol, adapalene, retinoic acid, tretinoin, and so on), Vitamin C, and chemical exfoliants, such as lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acid.
These ingredients are often found in serums and treatments, but they can also sneakily make their way into your routine through creams, so you might not even know you’re using them.
Go through the ingredients lists of all your skincare products, and set aside any that have the ingredients we’ve listed. There will be time for them once your skin has recovered.
3. Back to Basics
Forget about 10-step skincare routines, dozens of serums, a different face mask every night, actives, treatments, and whatnot.
For a skincare routine for sensitive skin, all you need to start is a gentle cleanser, a nourishing moisturizer, an occlusive, and SPF.
Let’s break it down:
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Gentle cleansers are extremely important. They can be micellar, cream, or oil, but the most important thing is that they do not have a bunch of sulfates and stripping agents. They will clean your skin well without leaving it dry and lifeless. For example, Pure Yeva’s Nutrient Seaweed Face Wash has all the restorative properties of a good gentle cleanser.
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A thicker moisturizer with Cica will become your new best friend. You will see the difference almost immediately and you’ll never want to part with it. You can also use panthenol or ceramide creams if that’s what you prefer.
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Occlusives are often forgotten, but they play an important part. In more severe cases or if you want to speed up the process, you can use occlusives such as vaseline, natural oils, or beeswax products to help seal the moisture and nourishing ingredients within the skin, while also protecting it from outside damage. You should only use them at night.
- Without SPF, none of this will make sense. UV rays are one of the main causes of irritation for sensitive skin, so you must use it regularly, not just in your summer skincare routine. Face, neck, chest, ears, cover it all. Korean sunscreens have proven to be good for sensitive skin, but there is a plethora of other options out there as well.
4. Read the Ingredients
Potential irritants can easily hide within products marketed towards sensitive skin, so it's crucial to always skim through the ingredients list. Opt for products with natural ingredients, as they are less likely to irritate.
Perfumes, one of the most common culprits, are present in many products and can cause significant irritation, so it's best to steer clear of them.
Conclusion
The key to managing sensitive skin is remembering that it requires more TLC than other skin types. Instead of overwhelming it with harsh products, focus on what your skin truly needs—a gentle skincare routine for sensitive skin.
Products like Pure Yeva’s Whole Repair Serum can help immensely in your sensitive skin journey, as it acts as both a moisturizer and serum, with clean ingredients and no perfumes.
But whatever you choose, keep in mind that less is more. You can always incorporate an active once your skin has recovered, but take it slow. There’s nothing better than healthy skin.
For more natural skincare products, explore the Pure Yeva store.
