Skincare for Sensitive Skin: Putting together a gentle daily routine.

Sensitive Skin. If you’ve got it, then you know it can be complicated and confusing to find a daily routine to suit your skin. So much trial and error and far too much time on Google looking for solutions. 

Some will tell you natural and organic is best for your sensitive skin. While others may say keep it as simple as possible, soap and water and Cetaphil cream.

And, it seems you can’t step into a cosmetic department or visit an online beauty store without being bombarded with the latest products and what might be good for you.

Maybe you gave up, tossing your hands in the air, saying you don’t care, the fewer products, the better. Really, you can’t be blamed for that. 

It’s frustrating, but you shouldn’t give up.

Understanding your skin’s unique needs will help you work out the best approach.

So, before we jump into my recommendations for sensitive skin, let’s first look at what might be happening to your skin to render it sensitive?

A compromised skin barrier function?

This can be something you’re born with, but more often, it’s acquired. Maybe it was during your teen years when you used too many harsh products, desperately trying to get rid of your oily skin and pimples.

Unfortunately, many of us stick with the same routine that served us well in our teens only to find, like a pebble on the beach constantly eroded by the ocean, our skin’s protective barrier function becomes disrupted due to over-cleansing the skin. 

Is sensitive skin genetic?

It can be something you’re born with. A genetic condition where the skin is unable to properly form an effective barrier.

The skin barrier is incomplete and does not function as it should. If this is you, then you’ve probably been suffering from sensitive skin since you were a baby and it’s likely you’ve developed skin conditions such as eczema. 

As well as a basic skincare routine you man need an emollient moisturising barrier cream to mimic your natural barrier function. 

A diet lacking in essential fatty acids?

Your diet plays an important role part in the development of sensitive skin. In particular, if you’re lacking in essential fatty acids, it will be to the detriment of your skin.

We all hope our diet gives us what we need. But sometimes, even with our best intentions, it can fall short. Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid necessary for the health of your skin and the formation of a well-functioning protective skin barrier.

Even if your skin is not sensitive but chronically dehydrated, then you probably need the Essential Fatty Acid, Omega 3. Your body doesn’t make Omega 3 it comes from the foods you eat.  Despite finding Omega 3 in foods like fatty fish, avocado and flax seed, most of us will benefit from a supplementation of Omega 3.

If you’re okay with animal products then a fish oil supplement is a your good option, or flax seed oil or marine algae if you prefer not consume supplements of foods sourced from animals.

You’ll need anywhere between 3000 – 6000 mg a day*. This will depend on the severity of your skin sensitivity or chronic dehydration.

If your symptoms are mild, start with 3000 mg and see how things improve. If your skin is not improving, you may need to increase 6000 mg a day for a short time and then return to a lower dose when the skin looks and feels better.

*Before you embark on any supplementation check in with your doctor or health care professional. 

A skin suffering from rosacea?

Rosacea stands alone as a sensitive skin condition and needs support from a dermatologist. I’ve just written a big article on rosacea. But even so, the skin still needs skincare support. So, if you want all the ins-and-outs of this topic, head on over here: Rosacea, what causes it, and what can you do about it?

Sensitive skin caused by dermatitis?

Dermatitis is an umbrella term for a variety of skin conditions. Some can be temporary such as contact dermatitis while others like psoriasis and eczema can be long-term and more challenging to manage.

If you have an allergic-type of skin, working out what triggers an allergic response is is the first step. Your GP can help with this or provide a referral to a dermatologist.

You may also need to use protective barrier products to mimic your skin’s barrier and increase Omega 3 in your diet.

What would skincare for sensitive skin look like?

Once you’ve determined the cause of your sensitive skin, it will be easier to understand the best skincare routine for your skin.

Start with the basics

How you cleanse: Your cleanser should be mild. A milk lotion and a pre-cleansing oil if you wear makeup. Even if you have a little oil in your skin, stay away from foaming cleansers.

Skin nutrition: Add vitamin A to your daily routine. All skins need nutrition, and your sensitive skin is no exception. But rather than bombard your skin with potent vitamin A serums. Start with a vitamin A ester that provides the nutrition your skin needs to repair itself naturally. 

Gentle exfoliation: Choose wisely how you exfoliate. You may wonder about whether to exfoliate your skin at all? Well, yes you can, but not with a mechanical scrub. Nope, never do that. 

It would help if you turned mechanical scrubs away at the bathroom cabinet door. If you’ve got a scrub lurking in there, keep it for your hands and feet where the skin is a more robust and can handle the physical friction of a scrub. 

Physical scrubs are not suitable for your face. Especially if your skin is sensitive, and especially, especially… if your sensitive skin is flaking. 

Instead opt for a liquid or cream exfoliant. The alpha hydroxy acid known as lactic acid is my personal favourite, but there are others. mandelic acid is another great chemical exfoliant for sensitive skin.

We all need to help move dead cells that accumulate on the skin’s surface, and if you have sensitive skin, you need to approach with care. There’s no need to bombard your skin with AHA’s in every product that touches your skin.

Moisturisation: A skin that is sensitive usually needs an emollient or occlusive cream, one that provides moisture balance but also steps in to mimic the skin’s natural protective barrier function. 

In the rest of this article below, I’ll step you through a skincare routine that will support a sensitive skin as it repairs itself. However, remember, if you have an underlying skin condition that’s causing your skin to be sensitive then you will need to seek out professional advice. 

A step by step skincare routine for sensitive skin.