Sensitive Skin Care: 16 Guidelines to Help You Cope

In all likelihood, if you are reading this article, a sensible approach to sensitive skin care is something that will benefit you greatly. Many of us wish our skin was clear, supple, and healthy. The good news is that nice, even beautiful, skin is within the reach of most people. Whether you have oily skin, dry skin, or suffer from any number of skin disorders or skin flaws, there are all natural skin care measures you can take to improve your condition dramatically and enjoy better skin.

For those of us who suffer from the various symptoms of sensitive skin – rashes, swelling, redness, irritation, tightness, blotchiness, itchiness – healthy, beautiful skin can sometimes seem a pipe dream. But it’s not. Practicing sensitive skin care can help even people with the most sensitive skin have great-looking, pleasurable skin.

Because our skin may react to certain environmental toxins or food allergens more severely than someone with normal skin sensitivity, we just need to become more educated about our skin and avoid the things that harm it.

That’s what this article, and our website, are all about: helping you understand your skin better, and giving you the information you need to improve the look and feel of your skin. And while you’re at it, you’ll come to see that healthy attractive skin begins with taking good care of your body, mind and spirit.    

Good sensitive skin care requires attentiveness and awareness.

Here are 16 guidelines to help you improve your sensitive skin:

1. Limit your exposure to the sun and make sure you apply sunscreen that your skin tolerates well. Lip balm protects your lips. Hats and sunglasses protect your head and eyes.
   
   
2. Avoid dust as much as possible – if you can’t avoid it, make sure you wear proper attire that covers and protects your skin.
   
   
3. Avoid exposure to environmental pollutants – use a hypoallergenic moisturizer and proper attire to protect your skin.
   
   
4. Drink several glasses of water every day to hydrate your skin and form a moisture barrier that protects against allergens.
   
   
5. Avoid or limit from your diet spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine, which increase your skin's sensitivity.
   
   
6. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, which help correct imbalances in the skin and increase skin hydration.
   
   
7. Apply to your skin grape seed oil, which makes a wonderful natural moisturizer that is easily absorbed by the skin, does not clog pores, and protects your skin from allergens. Keep in mind that rooms with air-conditioning or forced hot air heating can undermine your sensitive skin care program by drying out your skin. Use a moisturizer.
   
   
8. Use skin creams that contain antioxidants, amino acids, and wakame kelp.
   
   
9. Look for ph-neutral, fragrance-free, alcohol-free cleansers (not commercial soaps that can irritate sensitive skin) to “gently” cleanse your skin. Some products contain non-drying alcohols which do not damage the skin.
   
   
10. Consider products that contain the natural preservative, Vitamin E, and plant or botanical extracts.
    
    
11. Think twice before using advertised “sensitive skin care” products, especially cosmetics. Some may contain irritants, though fewer than their standard counterparts.
    
    
12. Avoid products that contain synthetic fragrances or artificial colorants.
    
    
13. Avoid products that contain petrolatum, which causes greasiness, clogged pores, and ultimately severe dryness.
    
    
14. Use all natural skin care solutions that you can put together yourself cheaply using ingredients from your food market or grocery store.
    
    
15. If you have oily sensitive skin, check out the guidelines at oily skin care.
    
    
16. If you have dry sensitive skin, check out the guidelines at dry skin care.

Sensitive skin care, like any good skin care program, is rooted in common sense. If you notice that when you apply a particular lotion or cosmetic, your skin becomes irritated, avoid that product. If after eating two dozen shrimp, an itchy rash appears over your chest, avoid shrimp (or don’t eat so many). Common sense, a little knowledge, and a commitment to put into practice what you learn will make a difference in not only your skin, but in your quality of life.