Finding products that can help your sensitive skin might be difficult. The chemicals and formulas in many beauty, anti-aging, and general care products can sometimes be challenging to comprehend.
In today’s marketplaces, you’re bound to face difficult-to-understand scientific terms (based on the International Nomenclature of Cosmetics Ingredients (INCI), which aren’t consumer friendly.
In some cases, manufacturers can use colloquial terms to help you understand. But when that is lacking, you might even get tired just from looking at the ingredients.
In this age of beauty influencers, it can be tempting to go with the flow and choose a skin care product (or components) that has already established a loyal fan base rather than conducting research. That, however, isn’t always the smartest move. There is no universal skin care product. What benefits your friends might not always benefit you.
Finding the best skincare products with the perfect components for your skin requires a customized approach. This requires additional work and patience, yet it is worthwhile.
Fortunately for you, this work contains important information to help you choose the right skincare products. With this knowledge under your belt, you may shop confidently and steer clear of future reactive skin problems while trying out new items.
What Exactly Is Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive skin reacts to various products, particularly notoriously difficult to tolerate, like alcohol-based gels, cleansers, soaps, and scented formulations.
Sensitive skin is not a medical diagnosis but rather an individual’s perception of how their skin feels. Typically, the term describes how your skin feels after applying skincare or beauty products. Sensitivity to the skin is characterized by symptoms including burning, twitching, stinging, reddening, dryness, and peeling. If you suffer from sensitive skin, each new product is a gamble; it doesn’t matter if your skin is dry or oily.
Figure Out Your Skin Type
When looking for skincare products, nothing is more crucial than knowing your skin type. In most cases, there are no harmful products; rather, there are products that are better suited to some skin types than others.
Those with acne-prone and delicate skin must exercise the greatest caution while selecting skincare products. However, oily skin is more tolerant to ingredients that can cause breakouts or irritation in drier skin; thus, it’s less sensitive
Experts recommend the following ingredients for various skin types:
- Look for products with hydroxy acids (glycolic or salicylic acid) and hyaluronic acid if you have sensitive oily skin. These components effectively regulate oil production, and hyaluronic acid hydrates only where it’s needed.
- Check out lactic acid and shea butter-based products if you have sensitive dry skin. These ingredients give moisture and gentle exfoliation to maintain the radiance of dry skin.
It’s also important to note that for all sensitive skins (whether oily or dry), look for skincare items containing aloe vera, oats, and shea butter. They are effective moisturizers and rarely cause acne.
It is good to visit a dermatologist if unsure of your skin type. After determining your skin type, you can select items with greater precision.
Don’t Believe the Hype
Packaging and notoriety are sometimes simple traps, and you should not emphasize them when selecting skin care products. If you’re going to purchase an item based on a friend’s or influencer’s advice, you should consider how wonderful their skin looks today and what skin type they had before using the product. This will provide a more reliable indication of the product’s suitability for your needs.
In recent years, cult-favorite products such as several Mario Badescu creams and the St. Ives Apricot Scrub have been the subject of lawsuits filed by individuals who encountered severe adverse effects. No need to fear if you have these things in your bathroom cabinet; this does not mean they are harmful to everyone. The backlash faced by some famous skincare products and brands might serve as a cautionary tale that just because something is popular doesn’t imply it’s widely known for the right reasons or is the appropriate product for you.
Checking the ingredient list is the best course of action, regardless of the number of positive ratings or stars a product receives online.
For best results, look for these components.
- Glycerin: some experts refer to glycerin as the foundation of moisturizing products.
- Ceramides and hyaluronic acid: these two are key skin-hydrating substances that occur naturally. In serum form, consider hyaluronic acid, and look for ceramides and glycerin in lotions and creams.
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C): L-ascorbic acid is a type of vitamin c that acts as an antioxidant to repair UV-induced damage and boost collagen formation.
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E): It shares comparable qualities with vitamin C and is most effective when coupled with vitamin C.
- Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5): Finding cleansing wipes loaded with Vitamin B5 is a good option. Vitamin B5 ensures maximum moisture absorption, helping to rehydrate your skin after wearing makeup.
- Retinol: This is an essential element to look for in nighttime skincare products. It functions to renew skin cells and boost collagen production.
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): This chemical is excellent for oil control, skin hydration, and skin tone balancing.
Avoid These Components
Fragrance/perfume: Added scents can cause skin irritation and allergies; those with sensitive skin should avoid them.
Sulfates: a common component of shampoos and body washes. They can irritate and rob the skin and hair of their natural oils.
Parabens: Parabens are often used as a synthetic preservatives in items to inhibit bacterial growth. They are known as estrogen mimics, a term used by industry experts, and they can cause long-term harm by disrupting hormonal balance. This can be troublesome for young children and breast cancer-at-risk individuals.
Formaldehyde releasers and formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is no longer commonly found on ingredient lists because it is a proven carcinogen. However, it is frequently replaced with other chemicals (quaternion-15, Diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) that work as preservatives by releasing formaldehyde over time. It is unconfirmed whether or not these compounds are dangerous in this context, but it is prudent to be aware of them as potential allergies.
Understand That Natural Does Not Always Equal Superior
The presence of familiar chemicals can be reassuring, but it does not always imply the safest option. Poison ivy oil, for instance, is entirely natural but not something you want to apply liberally.
Sometimes, the use of the labels organic and natural on a product description is more of a sales gimmick than anything else. Because these phrases are not standardized and there are no industry-specific guidelines, they may make empty promises. In addition, a product is sometimes branded as organic about simply one or two of its constituents.
Pay Close Attention to The Ingredient Order
Once you’ve determined the major ingredients you wish to avoid or seek out, you’ll need to pay close attention to their placement on the list. As a general rule, examining the first five ingredients is advisable, as they often account for roughly 80 percent of the product’s composition.
If a troublesome or potentially sensitive ingredient is included among the first five, you should avoid the product.
Similarly, if you’re looking for a product with specific ingredients and those ingredients are stated at the end, the product is not worth purchasing. With such a small proportion of the overall product, you will not realize the advantages of the last few elements.
Fear Not the Lengthy Ingredient List
Our culture generally encourages us to seek foods with shorter, more recognizable ingredient lists. While a shorter list of ingredients may be simpler to read, it may not be sufficient for your skincare needs.
When looking for anti-aging characteristics or purchasing medical-grade skin care products, the list of components will inevitably be lengthier. Remember that this should not deter you. Instead, get assistance from a dermatologist or specialist to assess whether the product is appropriate for you.
Use Your Resources
To choose beauty products with the right ingredients, you need not be a walking dictionary. Streamline processes by utilizing online resources. Consider the Skin Deep database of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and CosDNA for component and product research.
The EWG Skin Deep repository is only a portion of their internet offerings. The EWG is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to environmental and human health-related research and education. In the Skin Deep repository, cosmetics products are assessed and scored based on various characteristics, such as production procedures and potential health risks.
While CosDNA is a database with fewer bells and whistles, it provides more information on the components in a product, including their roles and safety rating.
Always Conduct a Spot Test
A patch test is a prudent step in product elimination.
A patch test may help identify whether specific products or substances can induce allergic responses, irritate the skin, or clog the pores. Stop using the product if it aggravates or worsens your skin in whatsoever way; it isn’t the right one for you.
You may save yourself time, money, and stress by conducting thorough ingredient tests before settling on a final recipe.
Bottom Line
Dealing with sensitive skin is always nerve-wracking. However, if you implement these few tips and talk to your dermatologist, you will find a regimen and products that perfectly meet your skin’s needs.