How to really care for sensitive skin

According to statistics, every second woman in Russia is sure that she has fastidious sensitive skin on her face. But is it?

 

A medical expert at the cosmetic company Retrouve, told us how to understand if your skin is really dry and sensitive, and how to choose the appropriate care for it.

 

Should you call your skin sensitive?

There is a general definition of sensitive skin - it is hyperreactive skin, characterized by an overreaction in response to stimulating factors. To put it simply, the phrase "sensitive skin" means that the epidermal barrier is damaged, and as a result, it reacts more sharply than ever to all external or internal stimuli like cold, wind, new beauty products, medication or even just fatty foods. That is, if the skin of the face reacts to all the so-called above-mentioned irritants with redness, peeling, itching and the like, then your skin is really hypersensitive and you do not fall into hypochondria at all.

 

In addition, there can be no doubt that your skin is sensitive (and therefore requires special care) if you suffer from allergies.

 

Can sensitive skin be "cured"?

Sensitive skin is not a specific type, but a specific condition of the facial skin. And hypersensitivity can be characteristic of any type. And oily skin can be sensitive, especially if a person is undergoing acne treatment, for example. Therefore, in order for the skin to become normal, in addition to external care, it is necessary to act from the inside as well.

 

Drink enough water (the optimal amount for a healthy girl is 1.5-2 liters per day), also try to eat a balanced diet and not neglect high-quality dietary supplements (in particular, at least with collagen and hyaluronic acid).

 

Contrary to stereotypes, girls with oily skin type, rather than dry skin, are more likely to suffer from increased sensitivity of the facial skin.

 

In addition, it is important to understand that skin sensitivity can be innate (and this can manifest itself both from birth and already in adulthood, for example, due to negative environmental influences).

 

Skin lesions can also appear as a result of aesthetic treatments. If carried out regularly, this will increase the threshold of skin sensitivity, and in the future it will take less time and effort to restore the stratum corneum and lipid mantle.

 

Vegans and vegetarians often suffer from hypersensitive skin, because they do not consume much-needed animal fats, which, as a result, reduces the protective functions of the skin.

 

Sensitive skin care features

• An important step in the care of sensitive skin is cleansing, since the remnants of makeup and environmental pollution (plant emissions, air in big cities, exhaust gases, etc.) provoke inflammation, oxidative stress (metabolic disorders, accumulation of free radicals). In combination with ultraviolet radiation - couperosis, hyperpigmentation and photodamage. Removing this "incendiary mixture" from the skin, eliminating the consequences of aggressive exposure without damaging the protective hydrolipid mantle is an important task of cleansing.

 

• It is recommended to use micellar water to cleanse sensitive skin. It is advisable to wash your face with bottled water, not chlorinated tap water. Instead of hard sponges, give preference to a sponge konnyaku.

 

• To relieve tingling and tingling sensations during the day, use thermal water, fluids and / or gels to soothe the skin and restore a sense of comfort.

 

• The main goal of the treatment is to protect, moisturize and reduce the sensitivity of the facial skin. When choosing a cream for sensitive skin, first of all, you should pay attention to the composition, which should not include alcohol, phthalates, parabens and essential oils. In turn, it is desirable that hyaluronic and linoleic acids, panthenol, phytosphingosine and antioxidants be included in the composition.

 

• Do not forget that at night, hypersensitive skin needs additional protection, as a large number of free radicals accumulate during the day and by the evening the production of histamine increases, provoking itching and irritation of the skin. Look for products with antioxidants and soothing ingredients that will restore your skin's comfort and repair.

 

Sensitive skin care taboo

For care, it is best to choose cosmetics marked "for sensitive skin" or "for skin prone to allergies." They must undergo clinical trials.

 

In addition, since decorative cosmetics are not always adapted for owners of allergic skin, make-up should be used carefully. It is important to choose cosmetics for yourself together with a dermatologist or consultant in a store, having previously tested it on the back of your hand, and, if there are no obvious reactions, only then apply it to your face. Also in dermatological brands there are often special makeup ranges for girls with sensitive skin.

 

Avoid dense greasy textures and cosmetic oils. They create a film on the skin, due to which the skin begins to lack moisture.

 

Throw away anything that has expired

If a cosmetic product is sealed and stored properly, its actual life may be even longer than indicated on the package. However, once you open it, the clock starts ticking. The main danger is that bacteria-fighting ingredients gradually lose their effectiveness and weaken the line of defense.

 

Even proven means can fail

Proven products can also cause an allergic reaction over time. Just because you have used them for ages and nothing ever happened does not mean that they can be permanently removed from the list of suspects - you change, their formulas also change slightly.

 

Less is better

The more you use the product, applying it in a thick layer, the more likely it will cause an acute reaction. Be careful with very expensive creams. Typically, their formulas are packed with many active ingredients. Even if the cosmetic miracle is delightful to look and feel, it is not worth the risk. Sometimes it's helpful to be a little simpler.

Check the amount of the ingredient

If you are genuinely allergic to a certain ingredient, it will cause a reaction, no matter how much or little it is in the product. But for simply sensitive (especially for the skin that has become sensitive under the influence of external factors), the amount matters. Sometimes it's enough just to choose a softer version of your favorite care - fluid instead of cream. Use the mildest products to cleanse your skin - milk and micellar water.

SPF must be high

Your sunscreen should be SPF 30 or higher. Filters such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide rarely cause skin reactions. But solar erythema (looks like hives) and burns are a very common problem for sensitive skin.