Identifying sensitive skin is essential for choosing the right skincare routine. Signs of sensitive skin often include redness, itching, dryness, and a stinging or burning sensation when using certain products. If your skin frequently reacts to environmental factors like wind, sun, or cold weather, or if you experience flare-ups when exposed to fragranced or harsh skincare ingredients, or spicy foods you likely have sensitive skin. Additionally, individuals with conditions such as rosacea, eczema, or dermatitis are more prone to sensitivity.
Sensitive skin, especially rosacea is possible in all Fitzpatrick Skin Phototypes but is especially prominent in people of Northern European descent. This doesn’t mean though that if you have melanin-rich skin (Fitzpatrick Skin Phototypes IV-VI) you can’t get rosacea, and it is often missed as a diagnosis.
Here are 7 ‘Golden Rules’ for keeping your sensitive skin soothed and calm.
- Fragrances and harsh chemicals are common irritants. Where possible use hydrating and calming products that are free of essential oils such as our Gel Cleanser that uses gentle AHA from Caviar Lime, or our Vitamin B3/B5 Serum. This anti-inflammatory serum is full of silky and hydrating low molecular weight hyaluronic acid and oil-balancing niacinamide.
- Before using a new skincare product, do a test patch by applying a small amount to a discreet area of skin, like the inside of your arm. Wait 24 hours to check for any reactions before using it on your face.
- Sensitive skin often has a compromised barrier, so a good-quality, fragrance-free moisturiser can help keep it hydrated and protect it from external irritants. Look for ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, magnesium, zinc and copper to calm and repair like our Nurture and Repair Moisturiser which also has cucumber and watermelon well-known for soothing redness.
- Sun exposure can worsen sensitivity and lead to flare-ups, so use a sunscreen religiously regardless of whether “the sun is out”. Choose a broad-spectrum, SPF-25 (4 hours, 96% of rays) that is mineral-based (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide), as these are generally gentler on sensitive skin and have a calming effect. Try choosing one with a colour-correcting tint to ensure a great match for your skin tone and to provide camouflage if you need it. Consider our Suntint Protect SPF-25 in a colour tone for your skin.
- Harsh scrubs or frequent exfoliation can damage sensitive skin. Stick to gentle exfoliants, such as mild chemical exfoliants that contain AHA and BHA. Increase the use of an exfoliation serum from once a week and build up to more as your skin improves. Our Exfoliant Serum has anti-inflammatory ingredients including Green Tea, Vitamins A & E, Aloe Vera, Honey Extract and Tea Tree.
- Common triggers include hot showers, spicy foods, alcohol, and extreme temperatures. Identifying and avoiding your personal triggers can help prevent flare-ups and keep your skin calm.
- A curated, minimalist skincare routine reduces the risk of reactions. Stick to a gentle Gel Cleanser, a low-allergy Vitamin B3/B5 and Exfoliant serums, a hydrating moisturiser, and add other products as your skin starts to improve. Less is more when it comes to sensitive skin!
We’ve taken the hard work out of managing sensitive skin with our patent-pending Soothe + Calm System. Ahhhh, relief.