If you answered “yes” to this question, you aren’t alone. Millions of people suffer from sensitive skin. Some people develop acne or skin bumps after applying cosmetic products, wheres others experience rashes and redness for no apparent reason at all. Regardless of the severity of your sensitive skin, however, there are some simple steps you can take to promote healthy, vibrant skin.
Limit Sun Exposure
We’ve talked about this before, but it’s worth mentioning again that the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage otherwise healthy skin cells. While everyone should take certain precautions to protect their skin from UV sunlight, it’s especially important for people with sensitive skin. Prolonged exposure to the sun may further irritate the skin, causing a wide range of adverse reactions. You can protect your skin by wearing a high-SPF sunscreen lotion and limiting the time you spend outside.
Choose Skincare Products Wisely
Try to get into the habit of researching cosmetic and skincare products before you buy them. Pay close attention to the ingredients, avoiding products made with harsh chemicals. Just because a product contains an appealing packaging and/or label doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe to use. Impurities and chemicals within the product may irritate your sensitive skin, causing breakouts, dryness and other symptoms. A good rule of thumb when shopping for skincare products is to choose products with the fewest amount of ingredients as possible.
Avoid Perfumes, Colognes and Other Fragrances
Although they smell nice, fragrances can trigger allergic skin reactions. It’s not uncommon for companies to include alcohol in their colognes and perfumes, which is known to cause skin irritation and dryness. If you’re going to use a fragrance, look for one labeled “hypoallergenic.” This indicates the product contains a low risk to trigger an allergic reaction. Assuming it doesn’t trigger any adverse reactions, you can continue using the fragrance.
Wash Your Skin Regularly
Don’t underestimate the importance of washing your skin on a regular basis. Our skin produces natural oils known as sebum. This oil serves as a natural lubricant and moisturizer, preventing the skin from drying out. However, it can also have a negative effect by clogging pores and contributing to acne. Thankfully, you can prevent this from occurring by washing your skin on a regular basis. Using a proper facial scrub will exfoliate your skin, washing out the sebum from the pores while leaving your skin feeling soft and looking vibrant.
