Does your skin turn red when it comes in contact with any particular cosmetic or external substance? Or do you start feeling irritated? If your answer is yes then it means that your skin is sensitive. The good news is that it is not a serious problem and can be cured with proper care.
What is sensitive skin?
Your skin is made up of a protective layer, which holds
moisture and protects our skin from dust, particles and dirt from the
environment. When this layer gets damaged due to various reasons, your skin
becomes hyperactive and your skin starts becoming dry, itchy and irritated.
People with sensitive skin also suffer from certain types of skin disorders.
What are the symptoms of sensitive skin?
These are 6 sensitive skin symptoms:
1. Itchy tight skin
2. Redness on the skin
3. Reaction to skin care products
4. Skin becomes very dry in winter
5. Skin turning red after bathing with hot water
6. Flushes after eating spicy food
Due to skin sensitivity
External factors that damage your skin barrier include
use of harsh skin care products, changing weather conditions, dry skin without
care and extreme cold weather. Genes are also sometimes responsible for
sensitive skin [1]. But there are some other skin conditions like eczema and
dermatitis that also cause sensitivity.
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 used on your skin.
2. Eczema
This is a condition in which your skin fails to protect
you from irritants. And due to this, there are rashes, dryness, flakes and
swelling on the skin. Sometimes even pus forms on the skin. Its exact cause is
still unknown but studies say that genes may be the culprit [2].
3. Irritant contact dermatitis
This condition occurs on the skin when your skin gets a
rash after touching something. This is due to a completely damaged or cracked
skin barrier. If you itch the affected area of your skin excessively, irritant
contact dermatitis can cause chronic changes in your skin [3].
4. Rosacea
In this condition your skin becomes red, small pimples
appear, bumps become visible and blood vessels become clearly visible. Vascular
rosacea, inflammatory rosacea, phymatous rosacea and ocular rosacea, these are
four types of rosacea [4].
5. Contact and physical urticaria
Contact urticaria is also called hives. This happens when
your skin comes in contact with an irritating substance. Physical urticaria
occurs when your skin comes into contact with extreme temperatures, chemicals,
or other substances. Their common symptoms are small bumps, irritation, rash,
redness and swelling.
Follow these methods while washing sensitive skin
While washing sensitive skin, it is important to keep
some special things in mind-
1. Mild, fragrance free, foam free moisturizing cleanser
should be used.
2. Buy a barrier repairing, cream based moisturizer and
apply the same.
3. Avoid taking bath for a long time.
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 healthy 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, it is advised by the doctor to apply
barrier repair moisturizer. It cures the symptoms of dry skin by repairing the
protective layer of your skin. As far as cleaning the skin is concerned, people
with sensitive skin should use mild fragrance free and very mild foaming
cleanser.
To cure inflammation in eczema, oral corticosteroids are
given, which also cures itching in the skin. For this, wet-wrap therapy [5] is
also done, in which a wet cloth is tied on 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 gives topical corticosteroids,
numbing cream, oral antihistamines so that these symptoms can gradually reduce.
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 with the oil.
- Apply 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 improves the skin texture and softens and smoothes your
skin.
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 the gas to boil.
- Boil until the tea leaves begin to release their color.
- Now let this tea cool for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Mix honey in this tea water.
- When it remains lukewarm, wash your face with it.
- You can repeat this process daily.
Why it works:
This is a sensitive skin home made face wash, which has
magical effects on your skin. Green tea contains anti-oxidants, which repair
the damage caused by free radicals. And it protects to the skin from damage. It
is also helpful in reducing swelling on the skin. Green tea contains catechins,
which have anti-bacterial properties. Cleansing your skin daily with green tea
removes toxins, tones the skin and reduces the appearance of pores.
C. Rose Water
Do you want it :
Rose water is filled in a bottle, it is better if you
keep it in a spray bottle.
Use it like this:
- Take the bottle containing rose water near your face and spray it.
- You can do this at any time and many times during the day.
- You can also apply it on your lips with the help of cotton.
Why it works:
This is a natural toner, which you can use daily anytime.
Rose water restores the pH balance of your sensitive skin. It also removes oil
and dust from your skin and opens the pores. Its anti-inflammatory qualities help
to relieve your skin's irritation and damage. Rose water brings back moisture
to your sensitive skin.
D. Banana
Do you want it :
1 mashed banana, 2 teaspoons honey, 1 teaspoon curd and 6
drops of vitamin E oil
Use it like this:
- Mix all these ingredients well in a vessel.
- Now first clean your face with plain water.
- After this, apply the above prepared ingredients 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 not only hydrates the
skin but also moisturizes it. It also contains Vitamin A, which ensures that
moisture is locked in the skin. Banana also 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 coconut oil in a vessel and put it on the gas.
- Add the remaining ingredients to it as well.
- Cook this mixture for 10 minutes.
- When the mixture is cooked well, filter it.
- When it cools down, 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 speeds
up the healing process and restores 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. At the same time, Amla also has a lot of
anti-oxidants. Curry leaves are anti-inflammatory and moisturize the skin.
Prevention Tips For Sensitive Skin
There are some measures to prevent sensitive skin, which
are important for people with sensitive skin to try, these are-
1. Retinoid
Retinoids contain vitamin A, which is essential for good
skin and body health. However, there is also a possibility of skin irritation
due to these. Therefore, if your skin is sensitive then you should stay away
from products containing retinoids.
2. Hydroxy Acid
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 with AHAs. Beta hydroxy acids, on the other hand, are drying agents.
They are used to treat acne, which dries up the essential oils in your skin.
Therefore, avoid products containing BHA.
3. Alcohol based products
Alcohol based products usually come in the form of makeup
remover. Avoid using them because they dry your skin and can even burn.
Important tips for sensitive skin
People with sensitive skin should choose the right skin
care products for themselves, which can improve their skin.
People with sensitive skin should buy and use skin care
products containing oats, marine plants, chamomile, aloe vera, green tea.
You can also choose petroleum based products to take care
of your sensitive skin.
People with sensitive skin should not wear clothes made
of synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester as they are not breathable and
can cause discomfort along with irritation.
FAQs
How do I know if I have sensitive skin?
If your skin is itching, different types of patches are
visible and your skin is becoming dry, then it means that your skin is
sensitive.
What ingredients are bad for sensitive skin?
Skin care products containing synthetic fragrances,
coloring agents, acids, petrochemicals, sulphates, harsh exfoliants, alcohol
etc. should not be taken.
Which clothing types are less irritating to sensitive skin?
Clothes with smooth, soft and natural fabrics like cotton
and silk are suitable for those with sensitive skin. Cotton is a cool fabric
while silk is warm, both take away the moisture of the body from the skin.
Rayon and linen are also suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Conclusion
There is a need to take special care of sensitive skin so
that there is no further problem or irritation in the skin. If your skin is
sensitive then keep in mind that always do a patch test before using any
product on your face.
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