If you’re like most of my customers, then you have sensitive skin. That can mean many different things depending on how you define “sensitive.” Here’s how most people define it:
- Skin gets dry and tight
- Skin gets blotchy
- Skin gets itchy
- Skin breaks out
Now, it’s important to note that these symptoms also overlap with other skin “problems.” Truth is that these aren’t really problems. If you think you have sensitive skin, then you are probably just using the wrong skin care products. You might be reacting to chemicals in the products you use, you might be using products meant to treat a problem that you don’t really have, or maybe you just change products so often or use so many different types of products that your skin never has a chance to adjust. If you find the right products for your skin and give your skin the time to get used to it, chances are that you will forget that you ever had “sensitive skin.”
So here’s my advice: switch to 100 percent natural products. Be careful when looking for natural products though. Just because something is listed as “good for sensitive skin” or contains a natural product, doesn’t mean that it is natural or fragrance free. You want to make sure that the products you choose are free of fragrances, preservatives, colorants, and essential oils. (I’ll cover essential oils another day, but they are strong. You don’t want to mess with those if you have sensitive skin.)
Also, try a couple of products over a month or two. When you find one that you like—stick to it. Also use as few products on your skin as possible. The most that you should use on your skin is a pre-wash oil, a gentle soap in the morning, a gentle exfoliating soap in the evening, and a very light moisturizer. That’s it! Depending on your specific skin, you may be able to cut out the pre-wash oil and one of the soaps.
If you find that your skin tends to get tight or dry, then you are going to want to find a pre-wash oil on your skin before washing it. This is because it will form a barrier and help prevent your soap from stripping much needed oils. It will also help breakup makeup and dirt before you wash your face. This means that you won’t need to lather as much or leave the soap on your face as much.
