Does your skin turn red or feel irritated when it comes in contact with a certain cosmetic or external substance? If your answer is yes, it means that you have sensitive skin. The good news is that this is not a serious problem and can be cured with the right care.
What is sensitive skin?
Your skin is made up of a protective layer that holds moisture and protects our skin from dust, particles and dirt in the environment. When this layer gets damaged due to several reasons, your skin becomes hyper-active and your skin starts to become dry, itchy and irritated. People with sensitive skin are also more prone to certain types of skin disorders.
What are the symptoms of sensitive skin?
The symptoms of sensitive skin are very common, which you can easily understand. These are –
1. Itchy tight skin
2. Redness on the skin
3. Reaction to skin care products
4. Skin becomes very dry in winter
5. Redness of the skin after bathing with hot water
6. Flushes after eating spicy food
Causes of Sensitive Skin
External factors that can damage your skin barrier include harsh skin care products, seasonal changes, unattended dry skin, and extreme cold. Genes are often responsible for sensitive skin [ 1 ]. But there are other skin conditions that can cause sensitivity, such as eczema and dermatitis.
1. Dry skin
When your skin lacks essential oils and water, it becomes dry and flaky. The main cause of dry skin is a broken skin barrier, which can be caused by genes, changes in weather, and the products you use on your skin.
2. Eczema
It is a condition in which your skin fails to protect itself from irritants and this leads to skin rashes, dryness, flaking and inflammation. Sometimes puss may also form on the skin. Its exact cause is still unknown, but studies suggest that genes may be the culprit [ 2 ] .
4. Rosacea
In this condition, your skin becomes red, small pimples appear, bumps appear and blood vessels become clearly visible. There are four types of rosacea: vascular rosacea, inflammatory rosacea, phymatous rosacea and ocular rosacea [ 4 ].
5. Contact and Physical Urticaria
Contact urticaria, also known as hives, occurs when your skin comes into contact with an irritating substance. Physical urticaria occurs when your skin is exposed to extreme temperatures, chemicals or other substances. Common symptoms include small bumps, irritation, rash, redness and swelling.
Follow these methods while washing sensitive skin
It is important to keep certain things in mind while washing sensitive skin-
1. Mild, fragrance free, foam free moisturizing cleanser should be used.
2. Buy a barrier repair, cream-based moisturizer and apply that.
3. Avoid taking long baths.
4. Make sure you wear sunscreen throughout the day.
5. Eat watery fruits like watermelon, orange, strawberry, kheer, cucumber, tomato and coconut.
Diet for sensitive skin
People with sensitive skin should take special care of their skin by consuming healthy foods. Protein, fat, anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins keep your health good and keep your irritated skin healthy. You should include things like avocado, walnuts, blueberries, sweet potatoes, spinach, salmon, tart cherries, ginger, turmeric, garlic, olive oil in your diet. You can avoid things like beer, soy sauce, wheat bread, barley, eggs.
Treatment for Sensitive Skin
- To cure dry skin, doctors recommend applying a barrier repair moisturizer. It repairs the protective layer of your skin and cures the symptoms of dry skin . As far as cleansing the skin is concerned, people with such sensitive skin should use a mild, fragrance-free and very mild foaming cleanser.
- Oral corticosteroids are given to treat inflammation in eczema and also reduce skin itching . Wet-wrap therapy [ 5 ] is also used, which involves wrapping a wet cloth over the affected area. It is recommended to do this after bathing and moisturizing your skin.
- In case of irritant contact dermatitis, rosacea, and contact and physical urticaria, the doctor may prescribe topical corticosteroids, numbing creams, and oral antihistamines to gradually relieve the symptoms.
Home Remedies for Sensitive Skin
A. Aloe Vera
do you want it :
1 tsp aloe vera gel, 1 tsp vitamin E oil, 1 tsp almond oil
Use it like this:
- Mix all these ingredients.
- Make sure that the aloe vera gel mixes properly into the oil.
- Apply it on the affected area and leave it overnight.
- Wash with lukewarm water in the morning.
Why it works:
This is a great home remedy to cure sensitive skin. Aloe vera is known for its therapeutic and healing properties. It hydrates, moisturizes and nourishes the skin. It soothes the skin by reducing inflammation. Aloe vera makes your skin soft and smooth by improving skin texture.
B. Green Tea
do you want it :
2- 4 green tea bags, 1 teaspoon honey and 1 cup water
Use it like this:
- Put green tea bags in water and put it on gas stove to boil.
- Let it boil until the tea leaves start to release color.
- Now let this tea cool for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Mix honey in this tea water.
- When it becomes lukewarm, wash your face with it.
- You can repeat this process daily.
Why it works:
This is a sensitive skin home made face wash that works wonders on your skin. Green tea contains antioxidants that repair the damage caused by free radicals. It also prevents further damage to the skin. It also helps in reducing inflammation on the skin. Green tea contains catechins that have anti-bacterial properties. Cleansing your skin daily with green tea helps in removing toxins, toning the skin and reducing the openness of pores.
C. Rose Water
do you want it :
Rose water in a bottle, preferably in a spray bottle.
Use it like this:
- Bring the bottle containing rose water near your face and spray it.
- You can do this at any time of the day and even multiple times.
- You can also apply it on your lips with the help of cotton.
Why it works:
This is a natural toner that you can use any time of the day. Rose water restores the pH balance of your sensitive skin. It also opens the pores by removing oil and dust from your skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which soothe your damaged and irritated skin. Rose water brings back moisture to your sensitive skin.
D. Banana
do you want it :
1 mashed banana, 2 teaspoons honey, 1 teaspoon yogurt and 6 drops of vitamin E oil
Use it like this:
- Mix all these ingredients thoroughly in a vessel.
- Now first clean your face with plain water.
- After this, apply the above prepared material on the face.
- Leave it on the face for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Now clean the face with lukewarm water.
Why it works:
Banana is rich in potassium, which hydrates and moisturizes the skin. It also contains vitamin A, which ensures that moisture is locked in the skin. Banana repairs and heals damaged skin. It also boosts hydration and nourishment in sensitive skin.
E. Coconut Oil
do you want it :
1 cup coconut oil, 2 teaspoons amla powder, 4 curry leaves and 4 drops of vitamin E oil.
Use it like this:
- Take out some coconut oil in a vessel and put it on gas stove.
- Add the remaining ingredients to it.
- Cook this mixture for 10 minutes.
- When the mixture is cooked well, filter it.
- Once cooled, store it in a bottle.
- Apply it on your face.
- Leave it on the face overnight.
- Wash your face only in the morning.
Why it works:
Coconut oil nourishes and moisturizes the skin. It boosts the healing process by repairing damaged skin. Coconut oil is a rich source of anti-oxidants, vitamin E and essential fatty acids. It helps in keeping sensitive skin soft and smooth. Amla also contains a lot of anti-oxidants. Curry leaves are anti-inflammatory and moisturize the skin.
Prevention Tips for Sensitive Skin
There are some remedies to prevent sensitive skin, which are important for people with sensitive skin to try, these are-
1. Retinoids
Retinoids contain vitamin A, which is essential for good skin and body health. However, they can also cause skin irritation. Therefore, if you have sensitive skin, you should stay away from products containing retinoids.
2. Hydroxy acids
Alpha-hydroxy acids are marketed as suitable for all skin types, but if you have sensitive skin, you should do a patch test before using products containing AHAs. On the other hand, beta hydroxy acids are drying agents. They are used to treat acne and dry out the essential oils on your skin. So, avoid products containing BHAs.
3. Alcohol-based products
Alcohol-based products usually come as makeup removers. Avoid using them as they dry out your skin and can also burn it.
Important Tips for Sensitive Skin
- People with sensitive skin should choose the right skin care products for themselves, which can improve your skin.
- People with sensitive skin should buy and use skin care products containing oats, marin plants, chamomile, aloe vera, green tea.
- You can also choose petroleum-based products to care for your sensitive skin.
- Clothes made of synthetic fabrics like nylon, polyester should not be worn by people with sensitive skin as they do not breathe and can cause irritation and discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Do I Know If I Have Sensitive Skin?
If your skin is itchy, different types of patches are appearing and your skin is becoming dry, it means that your skin is sensitive.
Which Ingredients Are Bad For Sensitive Skin? Which Ingredients Are Bad For Sensitive Skin?
Skin care products containing synthetic fragrances, colouring agents, acids, petrochemicals, sulphates, harsh exfoliants, alcohol, etc. should be avoided.
Which Clothing Fabrics Are Less Irritating To Sensitive Skin?
Clothes made of smooth, soft and natural fabrics like cotton and silk are good for people with sensitive skin. Cotton is a cool fabric while silk is warm, both of which draw the body’s moisture away from the skin. Rayon and linen are also good for people with sensitive skin.
Conclusion
Sensitive skin needs special care so that there is no further problem or skin irritation. If your skin is sensitive, then keep in mind that before using any product on your face, always do a patch test.