Minimalist Exclusive: Skincare tips for sensitive skin

So, how do we figure that we have sensitive skin? Well, ask yourself these few questions about your skin, and if they mostly stand true for you, if not all, you can confirm that the skin type you have is sensitive skin. 

• Does your skin start feeling dry, tight, and thus, uncomfortable the second you wash your face?
  
• Does your skin tan very quickly? Just a few moments under the sun burns your skin, whereas it takes others a while before they even start tanning? 
  
• Is getting spots or red patches on your skin a day to day thing? 
  
• Does your skin break out into rashes and bumps on coming in contact with almost everything?
  
• Does your skin reject most types of cosmetics and skincare products? 
  
• Does your skin get itchy and flaky upon having products on it?
  
• Do you suffer from premature aging and fine lines and wrinkles?
  

If all of the above questions have a "yes" or most do, you have sensitive skin.

It is crucial to determine the same because a delayed understanding of the skin type will have more skin-related issues.

When you have sensitive skin, it is best to figure out what products work for you and what do not. Also, how to take care of the skin under the sun is of utmost importance for all and especially for people with sensitive skin as you are likely to burn sooner and worse than people with other skin types. 

So how do you go about skincare for sensitive skin? Here is how:

1. Test your skin –

as mentioned above, testing skin out to realize its kind is of utmost importance. Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, normal skin, or sensitive skin, realizing what skin type you have will help you understand your skin needs. It will help you determine what product ranges to look at for your skin and what you could eat to maintain the skin's health. Sensitive skin is the most reactive kind, and hence, the sooner you figure that out, the faster you can realize what cosmetics and skincare your skin will allow you to use. 

2. What products to use –

sensitive skin allows only a few ingredients and its mixes to work for the skin. All types of products will not work for you if you have sensitive skin. Using a product that mostly works for others might burn the skin if you are exposed.

It is also a must to make salons and parlors and skin clinics that you visit aware of the skin type so that they can stick to products that will act well on sensitive skin. However, it is to be noted that most all such places do a skin test before they go in for any beauty treatment. 

3. Moisturize the skin –

often, people with sensitive skin stop moisturizing, which is an entirely wrong step. Why? Because sensitive skin dries out and becomes tight and patchy, it breaks upon washing the face with a cleanser or face wash. It does not matter if the cleaner or the wash is for sensitive skin. Rule number one in skincare is to always moisturize upon washing the face. You have to figure out what works. It is best to consult a skin doctor to go about it the right way. 

4. Avoid over-washing skin –

we are often tempted to wash our skin because we feel sweaty, dirty, and gritty. Now, that is simply the wrong move to make especially, if you have sensitive skin. Suzan Obagi, M.D., director of the UPMC Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Health Center.Says

Doing so thins the protective barrier of your skin, thus allowing irritating chemicals to penetrate the skin more easily.Over-washing can wash all of these important lipid proteins down the drain, Washing with plain water, & a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser is enough just once a day.

5. Product patch test -

A patch test is a must for all and especially for the ones with sensitive skin. A small amount of any new product you hope to use should be tested on the arm's insides. In case there is no redness, inflammation or irritation, or bumps having formed, it would seem that the product is deemed usable by your skin. If not, it is an obvious nope.

6. Slow introduction of new products –

the best way to introduce new products to the skin is by incorporating them into the skincare regime. For example, you see ten new products that you want to start using, the best way to go about it would be first to realize whether they work for your sensitive skin, whether each product would sitAnti-acnewell with the other products, and then incorporating them in percentages that are the lowest concentration.

Also, introduce a new product to the existing skincare regimen that suits you one at a time instead of ultimately shifting to a new regimen. Replace products with a new one in two to three weeks from having introduced a new product. Let us take, for example, a niacinamide serum. The best way to incorporate it is to see if it works for your sensitive skin, starting at 2% and giving—these skin a month before jumping to the next level of 5% and subsequently 10% concentration. 

7. Hype of "Hypoallergenic" -

Hypoallergenic is another word for a gimmick. It is sorting that is mostly written on products to make potential consumers buy them with the forethought that they are safe to use the product; even the ones with sensitive skin. 

8. Limit exposure to sun –

You'll realize that you'll burn sooner than others under the sun if you have sensitive skin. Therefore, the only way to escape sunburn would be to not go out under the sun for too long and to make sure to have a strong SPF that suits the skin at all times under the sun. It would also be great if you make sure to carry an umbrella out during the day so that you can be out and about but not burn yourself out in the process. Sun also makes up for radical skin aging that is incredibly easy for sensitive skin to fall victim to. The Skin Cancer Foundation asks people with sensitive skin to limit their sun exposure during peak sun hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

9. Get a hold of your SPF-

Since sensitive skin is very vulnerable when exposed to the sun, it is a must that this skin type never forgets to use sunscreen. Physical sunscreens are the way to go for such skin type as opposed to chemical sunscreen. 

10. Shower in lukewarm water –

Super hot showers are a big no for sensitive skin people. Hot water makes sensitive skin dry as it strips natural oils of the skin more comfortable and faster. Thus, the best approach to cut out cold showers would be to use lukewarm water. Also, make sure never to use face products or toiletries with heavy fragrances that would cause breakouts without a doubt.

The tips mentioned above will surely help your sensitive skin out and help it look great and feel perfect.