All skin can feel sensitive at times. Factors in the environment, like pollutants, the weather, your diet, and irritants in beauty products can all cause sensitivity. Skin can feel tight, itchy, or inflamed. You can’t change the weather, but you can change the way you care for your skin to make sensitive skin easier to manage.
Get back to basics. Make your skincare routine as simple as possible. Starting with your cleanser, remove harsh chemicals that could upset your skin and instead look for soothing products. If you overdo your skincare, then you can make your skin more irritated. You don’t want your skin to feel squeaky clean. Instead, aim for gently cleansed and refreshed. Simplify your skincare kit and opt for gentle products with no added colours or scents.
Remove your make-up before you sleep. Removing your makeup before you sleep is a good habit. If you leave your makeup on, your skin can get aggravated as you sleep. A gentle foaming cleanser can keep your sensitive skin feeling fresh at the end of the day. To take care of your skin in summer, make sure you wash your face properly at night to remove makeup, SPF, and sweat.
Handle your skin with care. Many of us can be a bit harsh when we cleanse. Without you realising it, rubbing, tugging, and even drying after your cleanse can make the skin more sensitive. Take your time when you’re removing your makeup. Use a cotton pad that you’ve soaked in eye makeup remover, and hold it over the eye longer to allow it to dissolve stubborn waterproof makeup without pulling and tugging at your sensitive skin.
Safeguard sensitive skin against the sun. The sun doesn’t have to be out for your skin to be damaged by the effects of UVA and UVB rays. Cloudy days can also harm your skin. One of the most important skincare tips for any kind of skin is to include a sunscreen in your daily skincare routine. This will keep you protected all year round. Use a moisturiser with an added SPF every day, and wear proper sunscreen on days with high UV. Don’t forget to cover any exposed skin, not just your face.
Cool down your skin. Heat can unsettle your sensitive skin, so you should stick to using lukewarm water when you’re washing your face instead of hot. Stay away from very hot showers, and turn the temperature down a little. Hot water can be very drying. If you feel your skin needs cooling, put a damp face cloth in the fridge to use as a compress for irritated, hot skin.
Protect against pollution. Throughout the day, pollution in the air can stick to the skin and start damaging your skin’s barrier. Over time, pollution can lead to irritation. To counteract this, cleanse often. Cleanse your face at the beginning and the end of the day to remove dirt and impurities. Keep cleansing wipes in your bag for on the go cleaning.
