How to cleanse sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is easily reactive, especially when exposed to products that are formulated with potential irritants. When you have sensitive skin you should pay close attention to the ingredients listed on your products, environmental influences, and the things that come in contact with your skin. Missteps can cause your skin to become irritated or even break out. Even though sensitive skin may require a bit more know-how, you still need to make sure that you are cleansing it regularly. Let’s look at why your skin becomes sensitive, what things to avoid in your skin care routine and what products suit your skin type the best.
Before opting in to a sensitive skin care routine, be certain of your skin type. “Sensitive skin feels dry and flaky but most often people complain about increased redness,” says Garnier consulting dermatologist Dr. Diane Madfes. “Some product formulas can irritate sensitive skin. Sensitive skin occurs from a disruption on the skin barrier.” Here are some easy ways to ensure that your sensitive skin looks and feels good:
1. Keep It Cool
Hot and cold temperatures can affect sensitive skin negatively. “When cleansing, skip extremes in temperature.” Use lukewarm water to cleanse your face. In the winter, try to protect your face from the extreme cold by moisturizing it well and protecting exposed skin by wearing hats and scarves.
2. Be Gentle, Not Abrasive
Exfoliation is important for every skin type; even the most sensitive complexions can benefit from removing dead skin cells from skin’s surface and deep cleaning your skin’s pores. For sensitive complexions however, a harsh scrub can trigger irritation and sensitivity so it’s best to use gentle products. Avoid scrubs that are granular and contain ingredients such as crystals, sugars and salts. Instead focus on products formulated with enzymes or fruit acids that can gently lift dead skin from skin’s surface. We recommend Garnier Clearly Brighter Argan Nut Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, which is gentle enough to use daily while physically exfoliating skin with finely ground argan nut extracts.
3. Avoid Fragrance And Alcohol
A lot of skin care products smell amazing and contain perfumes to evoke a delightful scent upon opening. Much as it smells great, this isn’t compatible with your sensitive skin. Instead look for fragrance- and alcohol-free formulated products like Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Actively Hydrating Daily Lotion Fragrance Free. It’s formulated with broad spectrum SPF to protect your skin while nourishing it with soothing ingredients.
4. Use Calming Cleansers
“Gentle cleansers are important for sensitive skin,” says Dr. Madfes. While other skin types can use more stringent formulas to lift oil off the skin’s surface, your sensitive skin does not benefit from these types of cleansers. There are gentle yet effective cleansers that are formulated for sensitive skin types. “Try using micellar cleansing water, cleansing oils or cleansers formulated with antioxidant ingredients,” says Dr. Madfes. Garnier SkinActive’s Micellar Cleansing Water All-In-1 Makeup Remover and Cleanser lifts away dirt, oil and makeup without harsh rubbing, leaving skin perfectly clean, hydrated and refreshed without over-drying. Another great option to use on sensitive skin is a cleanser free of harsh chemicals that may irritate your skin. Garnier The Gentle Sulfate-Free Cleanser removes potentially irritating sulfates and uses a gentle formula for a clean that’s safe for sensitive skin.
5. Protect Your Skin From The Sun
Sunscreen is a must-have for all skin types which of course also includes sensitive skin. Try to be mindful of what products you use to protect your skin from the sun as certain sunscreen formulas can potentially irritate your skin. Look for non-comedogenic and fragrance-free formulated SPF which is less likely to disrupt your skin. Garnier Moisture Bomb The Antioxidant Super Moisturizer SPF 30 is formulated with goji berry, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and more to protect your skin while nourishing it with superfoods for your face. Always look for a broad-spectrum SPF with at least SPF 15; plan to go higher depending on how fair your skin is or how easily it reacts to sun exposure. Sensitive skin needs to be protected from the sun every single day to avoid premature aging and to avoid damage from sun exposure.
