In simple terms, sensitive skin is more reactive to abrasive chemicals, weather changes, and other environmental factors. It occurs when the nerves on your skin’s outermost layer get agitated resulting in reddening, rashes, and inflammation on the outside. While there are a bunch of different symptoms, the best way to discern if you have sensitive skin or not is to see a board-certified dermatologist. This is because infallible knowledge about your skin type and its underlying concerns makes it easier to streamline your routine efforts.
In this blog, we explore the different types of sensitive skin and how to take care of it. We also help you with the best formulations to maintain and elevate this skin type.
What Are The Four Types Of Sensitive Skin?
There are four different types of sensitive skin. Scroll ahead to learn more -
1. Naturally Sensitive Skin: Naturally sensitive skin occurs when your skin is genetically predisposed to flare-ups. This type of sensitivity is usually correlated with concerns like eczema and rosacea. While there are products/medications to alleviate this concern, one cannot eliminate the problem.
2. Environmentally Sensitive Skin: If your skin cannot tolerate extreme temperature changes, continued sun exposure or air pollution – you most likely have sensitive skin. Environmentally sensitive skin experiences an uncomfortable burning or stinging sensation upon encountering these external stimuli.
3. Reactive Sensitive Skin: Have you observed your skin flaring up due to certain skincare, makeup products or detergents? If yes, it turns out you have reactive sensitive skin. You might experience tiny bumps, redness or even itchiness on the topical application of these irritants.
4. Mature or Thin Sensitive Skin: As you age, your skin becomes thinner. This dip in Collagen production also causes a decrease in natural moisturization – making your skin susceptible to irritants, allergens and more.
What Are Some Tips And Tricks To Care For Sensitive Skin?
We are bringing forth a Foxtale-approved list of tips and tricks to help uphold sensitive skin. Bear these pointers in mind for the best results -
1. Gentle, pH-balancing formulas: We know that cleansing twice daily is non-negotiable. It removes dirt, grime, and other impurities from the pores, ensuring a healthy skin microbiome. For sensitive skin, you need a gentle formula that doesn’t make your skin feel stripped.
2. Cleanse but don’t go overboard: Over cleansing (or over-exfoliation for that matter) can dislodge natural oils from the dermis, making it feel extremely dry and uncomfortably tight. This grave oversight also makes your skin more vulnerable to allergens and irritants.
3. Conduct a patch test: Always conduct a patch test before adding any serum/treatment to your routine. If your skin responds well, start using the treatment only thrice a week to eliminate further risks.
4. Avoid hot showers: As tempting as they may seem, hot showers zap the moisture from your skin’s outermost layer, making it more vulnerable to flare-ups. So, if you are a sensitive skin girlie, we recommend restricting hot showers. Instead, use cold or lukewarm water to maintain your skin’s microbiome.
5, Never skimp on moisturizer: Moisturization is key for healthy, happy skin. An efficacious blend of emollients and occlusives, moisturizer forms a protective barrier on the skin, preventing TEWL or transepidermal water loss. It also plays a pivotal role in countering inflammation and making your skin appear smooth and soft. For sensitive skin, look for breathable formulas that don’t clog your pores.
6. Simplify your skincare: Thumb rule for maintaining sensitive skin – simplify your daily skincare. Steer clear of redundant routines that make you slather multiple formulas on the skin. Instead, opt for a 4-step simple yet effective routine that addresses concerns while reducing the stress of flareups.
The Best Skincare Routine For Sensitive Skin
If you grapple with sensitive skin, here’s a no-fuss, no-frills routine that you can follow. As seen earlier – the best way to reduce episodes of flare-ups is by simplifying your skincare. Let’s try the same with Foxtale’s range of high-performing, innovative and safe formulations.
1. Cleanse: Start by gently cleansing your face to remove buildup. For sensitive skin, we recommend one of the best dry skin care products – our Hydrating Face Wash. It contains Sodium Hyaluronate and Red Algae Extract that intensely replenish your skin’s moisture bank. The best part? This cleanser also doubles as a makeup remover. It contains gentle surfactants that melt every trace of makeup and SPF.
2. Treat: After your skin is dry, apply a result-oriented formula. Since sensitivity mostly arises from extreme dryness or impaired barrier – we recommend Foxtale’s Niacinamide for skin. The lightweight formula ensures sustained hydration, prevents clogged pores and soothes inflammation while bolstering the lipid barrier. That’s right. The serum’s topical application increases Ceramide production in the skin cells, forming approximately 50% of the barrier.
3. Moisturize: To help seal this treatment, use a hydrating, soothing, and non-comedogenic moisturizer. For sensitive skin, we recommend Foxtale’s Barrier Repair Cream. It uses ERS technology to deeply nourish, hydrate and heal your skin. Take a dollop of the formula and massage it onto your skin. Don’t forget to cover your ears, neck and decollete areas.
4. Sun protect: Regardless of your skin type, sun protection is crucial. A broad-spectrum sunscreen shields the skin against harmful UV rays, preventing episodes of burns, tanning, pigmentation, and photoaging. For sensitive skin, we recommend Foxtale’s Dewy Sunscreen. It contains D-Panthenol and Vitamin E that ensure long-lasting moisturization for the skin.
FAQs
1. What is sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin is more prone to flare-ups. Based on the stimuli, sensitive skin may face reddening, inflammation, hives, painful bumps and more.
2. Is sensitive skin always dry?
Dryness can often lead to sensitivities. Having said that, underlying sensitivity is common in all skin types like oily, combination, and acne prone.
3. Does sensitive skin need a moisturizer?
Yes. All skin types need moisturizer including sensitive. For sensitive skin, we recommend a lightweight and non-comedogenic formula that ensures multi-level hydration while upholding barrier health - like Foxtale’s Skin Repair Cream. It uses ERS (enhance-replenish-seal) technology to heal, hydrate, and nourish your skin.
