You've tried it all - every single over-the-counter mass-produced product that claims to be "gentle" on sensitive skin. And yet, somehow, your poor face still seems to get irritated after a simple wash routine.
The good news is, you're not doing anything wrong! More likely than not, it's the products themselves not your failure to use them correctly that causing the trouble. If you have sensitive skin and can't seem to find relief through a gentle skincare routine, we've got some great suggestions for you!
1. Choose Fragrance-Free & Hypoallergenic Products
It's easy to assume that the reason why we break out when using specific products is due to "sensitive" skin. However, don't be so quick to blame your skin! Many mass-produced skincare products, even though claiming to be for sensitive skin, contain artificial fragrances and harsh chemicals that can trigger irritation.
Our suggestion would be to read those ingredient labels! Avoid anything that has "fragrance" in it and search for hypoallergenic products to give your skin a break!
2. Hydrate with Calming Ingredients
Going along with number one, make sure you can read that ingredients list! It shouldn't look like a crazy conncoction of chemicals from a lab. Look for simple & recognizable ingredients like jojoba oil, coconut oil or beeswax to soothe and nourish sensitive skin.
3. Simplify Your Routine
As with anything in life, we tend to make things more complicated than they need to be.
Ignore that YouTube ad's unnecessarily complicated ten-step routine that's "guaranteed" to work for your sensitive skin. Stick to a mild cleanser, lightweight moisturizer, and mineral sunscreen to prevent overloading your skin. You honestly don't need more than that. Sometimes, less is more and quality is better than quantity.
4. Patch Test New Products
I know I'm just as excited as the next person to unwrap that new product when it comes in and lather it all over my face but - that's not always prudent.
A smart way to cut back on sensitive skin breakouts to new products is to always test on a small area before applying to your face. This will help you avoid unexpected reactions.
5. Protect Your Skin Barrier
Sometimes protecting your skin isn't just about what to avoid. Believe it or not, it is actually possible to help boost your skin's natural defenses by ADDING oil (no, it won't make your skin nasty). Using plant-based oils will not only strengthen your skin’s natural defense against irritants but also keep it clean longer by preventing access serum production.
Growing and Learning Together,
Anna Ketterling
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