SKINCARE FOR SENSITIVE + REACTIVE SKIN

Originally published: MAY 11, 2021

If you fall into this category you are not alone. It's easy for our skin to become out of balance and thus reactive to products. We will break down what it means to have sensitive skin, ingredients to look for, and look out for, when purchasing skin care, and a simple daily routine.

Okay, so the definition of sensitive skin sounds like this: referring to skin that is more prone to inflammation or adverse reactions.  A syndrome defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations (stinging, burning, pain, pruritus, and tingling sensations) in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke such sensations.

This skin type usually reacts to its environment (extreme temperatures, too windy, etc.), but also to stress and emotions, + harmful chemical products. You may also find you have developed skin imbalances such as rosacea, or eczema.

You may fall into this category if these symptoms ring true:

1. Your skin is reactive
2. You experience ongoing redness
3. Your skin feels itchy, or has a tingling sensation
4. You have noticeably dry skin
5. You develop rashes easily
6. You may burn easily in the sun
7. You have a difficult time finding products that make your skin happy
8. You’re prone to breakouts

This skin type may just run in your family, and now you have it too. It can also be from using improper products on your skin, prolonged emotional stress, disturbing the skin’s microbiome, or barrier function. Just like the delicate one in our bellies, this barrier is the keeper of everything. It allows your skin to be healthy, calm, and happy. It is basically like a wall of armour against foreign invaders. When this wall is disturbed, inflammation happens. The skin feels under attack. 

Avoid:

• Really hot water
• Too many products at once
• Too much skin friction (derma roller, gua sha, exfoliation, etc all at once, or very often)
• peels and acid-based treatments
• Products with alcohol in them or fragrances (both very drying and irritating)
• Parabens + phthalates
• Sulfates.
• Ethoxylated ingredients (anything that ends in "eth," phenoxyethanol, polysorbates) can contain 1,4-dioxane contamination and may be a carcinogen.

Yes Ingredients for this Skin Type:

Aloe vera, honey, sweet almond oil, rose hydrosol, argan oils, calendula, oat, jojoba, avocado, rose water, evening primrose, sea buckthorn, white clay or pink clay.

*Choose gentle essential oils, less is more. 

Sample Day routine:

Oil cleanse in a.m., gentle spritz of alcohol free toner, apply serum and sunscreen.

Sample Night Routine

Oil cleanse (double if you wear full face makeup). Use toner. Apply serum and gentle balm over any areas that need extra moisture or care. Finish with a calming jade roller routine.

Be intuitive with your skin. This skin type especially needs to connect within to see what it needs. Comment below if anything has really helped with your sensitive skin. We would all love to know!