Our Top Tips: Skincare for Sensitive Skin

Did you know that everyone’s skin can feel sensitive at times? Whether you have a sensitive skin type and you've dealt with irritation throughout your life or it's something new you're experiencing, there’s lots of different ways to restore the balance.

Here we’ll be going over some of our top tips to try as part of your skincare routine for sensitive skin to help you soothe your face in no time.

What is sensitive skin?

Definitions can vary, which can make it tricky to know if you have it or not but the main thing to keep in mind is reactivity.

However, if you’re noticing that your skin is feeling sore, or you’re seeing things like redness and rashes then that’s a pretty clear sign that your skin is sensitive. 

 

Why does my skin feel sensitive?

Some people with sensitive skin have an underlying skin condition like Eczema or Rosacea but for other people it can be a specific allergic reaction.

Pollutants, the weather, stress and our diet can all play a part in flare-ups.

So can irritants found in some household or skincare products. For example, laundry detergents are often connected to skin irritation. Especially if you’ve recently switched to a new brand or the formula you normally use has changed.

Any of these (or a combination of factors) can all play a part in causing sensitivity, making skin feel tight, itchy or inflamed.

Some common triggers for sensitive skin include:

• Fragrances and chemicals in everyday household and beauty products
• Using overly hot water when cleansing
• Environmental factors like pollution or seasonal allergies
• Intolerances such as dairy or gluten
• High stress levels
• Metals like nickel in jewellery
• Overexposure to UV rays

How do you care for sensitive skin?

When it comes to treating sensitive skin, there’s lots of small changes that can make a big difference.

Firstly, it’s a good idea to take a look at your lifestyle and the products you use daily and see if there’s anything you think could be causing a skin reaction.

Everyone has completely unique skin, so it can take a bit of time to figure out what’s behind the irritation.

Getting to know your skin is essential to caring for it properly. So, if there’s something you think could be an issue then try removing it for a while and see if you notice a change.

When you’re choosing what to use in your sensitive skincare routine, a good place to start is by looking for products that don’t contain known irritants.

Simple® skincare products are developed for all skin types - including sensitive skin.

Which means no colour, perfume or harsh chemicals. Plus, each one is dermatologically tested. You can use them in confidence knowing that they’re giving your skin everything it needs and nothing it doesn’t.

Sensitive skin can often be a sign of a damaged skin barrier, so using ultra-gentle and hydrating skincare enriched with ingredients like Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid can help soothe.

Our sensitive skin care tips

Now you know a little bit more about what sensitive skin is and how it can be triggered, here’s some of our tips to keep it in check...

1. Choose a gentle cleanser

Most skincare tips for sensitive skin can be summed up in one principal: keep things simple.

Starting with your cleanser, forget harsh chemicals that can upset your skin and rather look for products that soothe.

When your skin is reactive, it can be tempting to skip cleansing because you don’t want to dry it out further.

But keeping your complexion free of pollution and more is also important, as these can also lead to irritation.

Squeaky clean is not how you want your skin to feel. Instead, it’s all about products that leave it feeling gently cleansed without stripping away moisture. A soap-free cleanser, like Replenishing Cream Cleanser is the perfect choice to remove impurities and maintain moisture levels.

For speedy cleansing, reach for our bestselling Kind to Skin™ Micellar Water that hydrates as it removes makeup and more in seconds.

2. Ease up on your skin

Without realising it, we can be a bit harsh on our skin when we’re applying products (or removing them). Rubbing, tugging, and even drying too roughly can all heighten the feeling of irritation for sensitive skin.

So, take your time and be mindful of using less pressure. For example, holding a biodegradable cotton pad soaked in makeup remover over your eye area for a few seconds before removing gives it more of a chance to work. Meaning less scrubbing and much more effective makeup removal.

Choosing more targeted formulas also means you won’t have to put in as much work to get your skin clean.

3. Safeguard sensitive skin against the sun

The sun doesn’t have to be shining for skin to suffer from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays. Cloudy days can also harm your skin. One of the most important skincare tips for sensitive skin, or any kind of skin, is to keep protected all year round by including a sunscreen into your daily skincare routine.

For some extra protection, use a moisturiser with added SPF as part of your morning routine like our Protect ‘N’ Glow™ Triple Protect Moisturiser SPF 30. Which also defends against other environmental aggressors like pollution that can affect skin.

If you have reaction-prone skin, sunscreen can actually be something that causes a flare up. Which is why choosing a formula (like ours) that’s suitable for sensitive skin is key.

 

4. Cool down your skin

Excess heat can unsettle sensitive skin, so stick to lukewarm water to wash your face and avoid very hot water when you shower.

If you feel your skin needs some cooling down, pop a damp face cloth in the fridge to use as a cooling compress on irritated skin.

5. Focus on hydration

Moisturising twice a day will help to balance your skin, keeping it feeling calm and soothed.

Reach for something like our new Active Skin Barrier Care Soothing Water Cream, enriched with 15% Skin Conditioners + Aloe Vera.

Created with skin barrier support in mind, this light yet nourishing face cream is powered by Ceramide Booster technology.

This reaches through up to 10 layers of skin and helps stimulate Ceramide production, one of the key building blocks of a healthy skin barrier. 

Having a properly functioning skin barrier keeps out bacteria and more, as well as reducing moisture loss – all essential when it comes to caring for sensitive skin.

Read up more on keeping dry skin hydrated here.

 

Looking for more skin care advice?

We hope you enjoyed reading up on the best skincare for sensitive skin and you feel more confident about keeping your skin soothed.

Want to take your skincare knowledge to the next level? We’ve got plenty of tips and more waiting for you over on our blog.

Don’t forget to join us on our social channels for even more updates and advice - see you there!