Choosing the right products for sensitive skin

Blotchiness, red patches, bumps, flakiness, irritation and breakouts – anyone with sensitive skin knows what a pain in the butt it can be to try and get it under control once it’s all fired up. But before you reach desperately for any magic potions, the first thing to look at is what exactly is causing the flare ups in the first place – it may be one of the following common culprits:

Sensitive skin triggers

Skincare ingredient
Fragrance, alcohol, detergents, preservatives and artificial dyes found in many beauty products are all big triggers for sensitive skin. Those amazing smelling moisturisers you’ve been using may not be professional skin care products and could be doing you more harm than good.

Sensitive skin types should always read the labels and opt for fragrance-free products. And don’t forget to patch test a new product overnight before diving in!

Hormones
Hormone fluctuations can rear its ugly head in the form of increased skin sensitivity and breakouts. This can happen in the lead up to getting your period and during puberty, pregnancy or menopause. However, hormone imbalances can occur at any stage of life – so if you feel like something isn’t quite right, sensitive skin might be a sign that something needs addressing beneath the surface.

Stress/lifestyle
Stress at home or work, staying up late every night, over-indulging on alcohol, smoking, insomnia and burning the candle at both ends can all be triggers of sensitive skin symptoms. Identify if you are over-doing it in any aspect of your life and try to keep everything in moderation. Also, be sure to take time out to unwind every week whether it be through yoga, meditation or simply creating a relaxing space for ‘you’ time.

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Environmental factors
Cold winter temperatures and winds, humidity, over-exposure to air conditioning, pollution and damaging UV rays may be weakening the protective barrier of your skin, causing dryness and irritation. And as far as sun protection goes, sensitive skin types should never leave home without a high protection SPF sunscreen that is suited for your skin.

Diet and dehydration
Poor diet, a certain trigger food (for example, dairy) or not drinking enough water can be major contributors to problem skin. What we put into our bodies greatly determines the overall balance and health of our skin so this is something to also keep in mind when battling symptoms of sensitive skin.

My 3 tips for sensitive skin

1. Don’t try and self-treat if you are suffering from sensitive skin. The best thing you can do is to immediately seek professional advice from a skin health specialist who can conduct a deep and thorough analysis of your skin condition.
2. In order to give your skin a fighting chance, be sure to diligently follow the routine and advice prescribed by your skin specialist (no buts!).
3. Don’t overdo it on the skincare products. Less is definitely more for sensitive skin types, so stick to the simple skincare regimen and products you have been prescribed and you’ll be on your way to happy, balanced skin in no time.

Need advice on the right products for your sensitive skin? Talk to a skincare professional at The Global Beauty Group by calling 1300 006 607.

For more of Marina’s advice, click here

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