All About Sensitive Skin And How To Take Care Of It

It’s hard to take care of sensitive skin. It seems like every other skincare product you use make it red, itchy or dry. Here are some tips on how to choose beauty products and treatments that will nourish your skin without irritating it.

How sensitive is your skin?

Dermatologists check for 3 things when they diagnose sensitive skin: a tendency to blush and flush, skin reactions like bumps or pustules, a damaged skin barrier, and severe dryness that isn’t able to protect the skin’s nerve endings.

Some people are born with sensitive skin. Others develop skin conditions like eczema or rosacea that can make the skin extra sensitive. And many of us who have normal, oily or combination skin have “episodes” when our skin reacts more than it usually does. This can happen because of climate, hormonal fluctuations like pregnancy, or after using strong acne medication.

How to choose skincare products

Everyone’s skin is different. You can be sensitive to one ingredient that is perfectly harmless for another. However, there are several ingredients that have a higher risk for irritation:

  • Alcohol
  • Fragrances
  • Citric oils
  • Ammonium lauryl sulfate/sodium lauryl sulfate
  • Abrasive scrubs (apricot kernels, sugar, etc)

Look for mild cleansers. Your toner should be alcohol-free and formulated for sensitive skin. Look for skin-calming ingredients like chamomile and green tea extract. For creams and serums, be careful when you are using glycolic acid, salicylic acid, Vitamin C and retinol. While these are great for cell renewal and exfoliation, they can cause reactions. If you have very sensitive skin, it’s best to go to a dermatologist for a prescription formula that is tailored for you.

Strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier

People with very sensitive skin have an impaired skin barrier that isn’t able to protect the skin. It is often very dry or weak to begin with – and then when it gets irritated, it gets even drier! That’s why it’s very important to strengthen it.

Look for ingredients that hold moisture like hyaluronic acid, chia seed extract, and gentle plant oils like sunflower, argan, or emu. Plant oils are also rich in antioxidants, which can reverse damage from the sun and chemicals in pollution.

Also avoid damaging your skin further. Sunblock is very important! UV rays can penetrate windows and clouds, so don’t skip the UV protection even on a cloudy day or when you’re indoors.

Get gentle, hydrating beauty treatments

Dry and sensitive skin needs all the extra nourishment and moisture. Treat yourself to moisturizing face masks, and go for a regular HydraFacial. This is one of the gentlest, most effective skin treatments. The machine uses a special Vortex-Fusion serum delivery system that cleanses, exfoliates, (add: and) extracts impurities and dead skin cells. Unlike very harsh cleansing treatments, it doesn’t dry out the skin. In fact, it hydrates and heals it. It delivers hyaluronic acid (which helps hold moisture), antioxidants and peptides. Your skin becomes healthier and looks firmer and smoother.

HydraFacial can also help those who don’t have sensitive skin, but notice that their skin feels dry and rough either because of a reaction to a skincare product, a sunburn, or ageing. It can help fight lines and wrinkles, restore elasticity and smoothness, treat hyperpigmentation and sun damage, and give skin an even and rosy glow.

Servicom, Singapore’s trusted supplier of aesthetic treatment has brought HydraFacial to many Singapore skin clinics.  Ask your doctor about HydraFacial today!