Do you have sensitive skin? If so, then you know that some skincare products can be too harsh for your delicate face. Thankfully, there are many options on the market designed specifically to meet the needs of people with sensitive skin. These products contain wholesome ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile that provide soothing relief without causing irritation. To help you find the best products for your skin, we will discuss the role of ingredients in sensitive skincare solutions.
Why Does Sensitive Skin Need Specific Ingredients?
Many different factors can cause sensitive skin, including genetics, sun exposure, skincare products, and certain medications.
Genetics can cause your skin to become more sensitive over time as your body changes and hormone levels increase or decrease.
If you are exposed to the sun for long periods, your skin barriers can start to break down, which will increase your skin’s sensitivity.
Specific medications can also cause your skin to become more sensitive because of the reaction your body has to the ingredients used.
Whether by genetics or environment, having sensitive skin requires more consideration about the products you put on your body because you can experience many unpleasant effects if you use the wrong ingredients. Some symptoms of sensitive skin include dryness, irritation, redness, itchiness, or acne breakouts. Most or all of these symptoms can be avoided by using ingredients that react more naturally with your skin.
In the next section, we’ll let you know exactly which ingredients you should look for the next time you purchase skincare solutions.
What Ingredients Are Best for Sensitive Skin?
If you use the right ingredients and stick to a daily routine with your skincare, you can reduce negative skin reactions and help build up a healthier skin barrier. Some of the most effective ingredients to help with skin sensitivity are aloe vera, chamomile, calendula, licorice root extract, allantoin, maize extract, or oat extract.
Each of these ingredients serves a different function in skincare routines for sensitive skin. For example, aloe vera is best for reducing redness, while chamomile is highly effective at soothing dry or irritated skin.
You’ll find these ingredients in a range of different products, from moisturizers to lip balms. The key is to read your labels before purchasing products to make sure they contain one or more of these ingredients. Use these products every day as part of your skincare routine and start logging which days you have a reaction and which days you don’t. Depending on how badly your skin reacts to harsh ingredients, you might benefit from working with a doctor to develop a personalized skincare regimen including medical-grade skin care products that will cleanse and soothe powerfully while remaining gentle on your skin.
How These Ingredients Affect the Skin
Everyone has unique skin chemistry and needs, so each ingredient will react differently with your skin and offer different benefits. This is why it will be important for you to try several different kinds of ingredients to find the combination that’s right for you.
Aloe vera is a popular addition to skincare products for sensitive skin because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The skincare benefits of aloe vera include soothing irritated or itchy skin because it contains a natural mix of minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, and vitamins that boost your overall skin health without drying or stripping your skin of its natural oils.
Chamomile isn’t just a great herbal tea; it also helps protect sensitive skin and is used in many skincare products. Along with its anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile also detoxifies your skin and removes environmental pollutants that could irritate your skin.
Another ingredient you’re probably familiar with is oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal isn’t the kind you eat for breakfast, but it contains antioxidant, emollient, and anti-inflammatory properties. Its emollient properties provide a natural moisturizing effect, and the antioxidants will help fight negative skin reactions.
Rose is a skincare superpower for sensitive skin. It soothes skin irritation and redness, as well as helping to reduce acne. Plus, it offers a beautiful floral scent!
If you struggle with sensitive skin, these ingredients can help elevate your skincare regimen and keep your skin healthy.
Ingredients to Avoid for Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin can actually be caused by using the wrong kind of products in your skincare routine. Washing your face and cleansing away pollutants is necessary, but it can also dry you out and leave your skin vulnerable.
When you are buying your next products, try to avoid anything with alcohol. Although it can be an effective cleanser, it also dries out your skin and drains moisture, which can aggravate sensitive skin and lead to irritation and redness.
You should also avoid any product containing fragrances because the chemicals in fragrance products often cause irritation and weaken the inner layers of the skin. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), fragrances are the leading cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis. Fragrance is currently exempt by the FDA from explaining exactly what ingredients are being used, so it can conceal irritating chemicals on skincare labels.
While sun protection is important, sunscreens in skincare products can also be a cause of skin irritation. Chemical sunscreens are the worst culprit because they contain several ingredients that are bad for your skin.
Skip products containing these ingredients and opt instead for mineral formulas that cater to sensitive skin.
Sensitive Skincare Ingredients
Sensitive skin requires special ingredients because the breakdown of the skin barrier causes it to be more irritated and break out more often. By knowing the right kind of ingredients and implementing them into your daily routine, you can prevent skin breakouts and build up a healthy skin barrier. Protect your skin and enjoy a healthy glow when you nurture your sensitive face with gentle, effective products.
Author bio:
Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer, and content strategist. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry and world of fitness.
