There are five main skin types out there—normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive. While each skin type out there can be problematic at times, sensitive skin is often the most challenging. If you have sensitive skin, you likely experience redness and inflammation on a regular basis as it’s more easily irritated than the other skin types. Sometimes sensitive skin will act up due to the season, but the biggest culprit is likely skincare products and makeup.
If you have sensitive skin, the tips below will help you find the perfect beauty routine that won’t wreak havoc on your beautiful skin:
Re-Evaluate Your Skincare and Makeup Routine
Just because a product is considered clean, all-natural, cruelty-free, or paraben-free, does not mean it won’t irritate your skin. Tea tree oil, for example, is a powerful weapon against oil and acne, so it can easily be found in natural skincare products. However, tea tree oil is very strong and can cause irritation—even for those that don’t have sensitive skin.
To prevent your skincare or makeup products from being the culprit of your skin issues, go through all the products you put on your face and read the ingredient list. It’s pretty easy to find a website or store that has natural products for your skin. If they include any of the following ingredients, reconsider having them in your routine:
- Alcohol
- Essential oils
- Sulfates
- Parabens
- Fragrance
- Chemical sunscreen
- Harsh exfoliants (that St. Ives Apricot Scrub is a no-no)
Once you find the potential culprits, stop their use for awhile to see if your skin concerns improve, and find new products. We highly recommend replacing your irritating items with vegan cosmetics that are void of the above ingredients if it’s financially feasible.
Have a Dermatologist Perform a Patch Test
If you’ve tried the above and you still find yourself battling your sensitive skin on a daily basis, consider making an appointment with a dermatologist for an allergy patch test. While pricey, this test will find out once and for all what irritates your skin so you can eliminate those items from your routine indefinitely.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your dermatologist will place small amounts of allergens (what can cause an allergic reaction) on your skin and cover each allergen with a patch. The purpose is to see if any allergens cause your skin to react. After 48 hours, you will return to your dermatologist’s office. Your dermatologist will remove the patches. If your skin reacted to any of the allergens, your dermatologist can tell you what caused the reaction.
Once you have answers, your dermatologist will also be able to help you find products within your budget.
Wash Your Makeup Brushes Often
Your daily battles with skin irritation could be due to your dirty makeup brushes. Doing a weekly deep clean of all your makeup brushes is a good habit to start developing. Regardless of your skin type, using clean and sanitary makeup brushes will prevent skin congestion and acne.
While you can invest in brush cleaner, baby shampoo or dish detergent will do the trick.
Eat Nutritious Food and Drink Enough Water
If you’re consuming a lot of sugar, eating processed foods on a regular basis, and not drinking enough water, your skin will be affected. Give your skin the best chance at being happy by drinking water throughout the day and opting for unprocessed foods and natural sugars whenever possible.
If you struggle with your sensitive skin, we hope these tips help you find a routine that works.
What are your favorite skincare and makeup products that work with your sensitive skin? Let us know in the comments below!
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