Sensitive skin 101: Typical causes
First things first: Sensitive skin is in itself not a disease. Mostly, it’s a reaction that occurs as a response to something else that has impacted the skin’s balance. This could be allergies, or harsh, environmental factors that dry out or in other ways affect the skin negatively.
Typical causes of sensitive skin include:
1) Having dry skin – a skin type where the skin doesn’t produce a sufficient amount of oil to keep the skin properly moisturized and healthy.
2) Eczema or atopic dermatitis – a condition that deteriorates the skin’s ability to protect you from irritants.
3) Contact dermatitis – a type of rash that occurs when the outermost layer of skin is in contact with something harmful to it.
4) Allergic contact dermatitis – like contact dermatitis, this reaction often includes rashes, itchiness, redness etc., but is a result of an allergic reaction.
There’re various symptoms that indicate a flare-up of sensitive skin, ranging from redness, itchiness, and irritation, to tenderness, rashes, burning sensations, blisters, and swellings. In other words, the symptom-palette is wide. If you experience these symptoms or other types of discomfort in your skin, we’d highly advise you to consult a dermatologist or doctor to get a proper diagnosis and advice on treatment for your specific condition.
If you experience these symptoms occasionally and wish to minimize the impact while preventing flare-ups, we’ve selected a few skincare “rules” that can get you a long way – dos & don’ts style. Here’re our best tips for caring for sensitive skin.
Do: Opt for gentle & protective ingredients
Most products suitable for sensitive skin are labelled as such. Moreover, lots of sensitive skin-sufferers are well-aware that fragrance-free products are always a good idea to steer clear of unnecessary reactions. But if you’re challenged by sensitive skin, taking it a step further and turning your attention toward the complete ingredient list is never not a good idea.
Our best tips on what you should stay aware of include that your product is free of harsh sulfates (SLS/SLES) that strip the skin of its natural oils – and that natural, organic ingredients should always be top of mind (but be mindful of the fact that you can, of course, be allergic to some natural ingredients as well). Generally, you should look out for sodium laureate sulphate (SLES) and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) on a product's ingredient list.
Oh, and protective antioxidants and SPF are your skin’s best friends, as this combo will help preserve the skin’s defense by fending off damage from UV rays, pollution, and free radicals. And a strong barrier will be less vulnerable to extraneous factors that can lead to flare-ups.
Don't: Overdo anything
If anyone understands being eager about skincare, it’s us. But assembling the perfect routine also means recognizing the fact that some types of products and procedures will do your skin more harm than good. For sensitive skin types, careful steps are fundamental. This means that while you can definitely enjoy a deeply exfoliating mask or refreshing cleanse, overdone is never well done. Avoid abrasive scrubs, stick to exfoliating once weekly, and use a gentle cleanser with natural cleansing actives once a day to keep your skin of build-up. Overdoing procedures will simply result in the opposite result of the desired, so make sure you learn to speak your skin’s language.
Do: Make a patch test
We’d always recommend doing this, but this step can be especially beneficial for reactive skin. Doing a patch test involves applying a new product to a delimited part of your body, like your arm or neck, to make sure your skin will be welcoming towards the ingredients. Just imagine applying a new moisturizer to your whole face with the best of intentions and it ending up… badly. We think you get the picture. Remember, reactions aren’t necessarily caused by bad ingredients or evil intentions by manufacturers – but not everything works for everyone. All skin is unique, and that’s something we should take into account when experimenting with new products.
Don't: Use piping hot water
Long, hot showers after a long day – it doesn’t get any better, does it? Well, our skin doesn’t agree on that. Unfortunately, splurging on piping hot water in the showers or while cleansing our faces can cause damage to the keratin cells located on the epidermis – the outer layer of skin. This disrupts the cells' ability to encapsulate moisture in the skin, resulting in dryness, irritation, and ultimately, a weakened barrier. So, if you want to fend off symptoms of sensitive skin, keeping your showers short and opting for lukewarm water is the way to go.
A tailored routine for sensitive skin
Purchasing skincare should never feel like taking a risk. Therefore, we at woods_ assembled a caring routine for even the most sensitive of skin types. – enriched with natural, organic, fragrance-free, and safe ingredients your skin will adore. From a simple yet effective 3-step routine to an expanded 5-step routine, and our complete routine with all the essentials your skin could dream of. Select your favorites or buy the kits as a whole – the choice is up to you and your skin.
Our complete kit for sensitive skin consists of our:
Daily Foaming Cleanser: Composed of mild ingredients, this water-based cleanser creates a soft lather that allows you to massage away build-up, makeup, and bacteria.
Cleansing Balm: Our Cleansing Balm is formulated with 100% natural cleansing actives that gently lift away makeup, build-up, and impurities. Use it alone or as a 2-step double cleansing with our Daily Foaming Cleanser.
Skin Perfector Seboclear: A power-product that actively restores the skin’s natural environment and balance while preventing breakouts and evening out skin tone and texture.
Vitamin E Serum: A musthave for those wanting to prevent redness and irritation thanks to the protective, antioxidant properties of vitamin E and other hydrating, regenerating ingredients.
Daily Hydra Cream Sensitive: With the addition of hyaluronic acid and actibiome, this daily moisturizer delivers deep and lasting hydration while helping to balance the skin microbiome.
Deep Cleansing Mask: A purifying mask with salicylic acid, which decongests pores from deep within to promote a smooth, clean surface.
Instant Repair Balm: An SOS for all skin types with properties to treat dry, damaged skin in need of a relieving, regenerating boost.
If you have any questions regarding our products or want assistance on your specific skin type, feel free to explore our site or write us a question. We’re always here to help.
