‘Sensitive skin care’ is governed by a few basic rules. However, even before we delve into the rules for sensitive skin care, it’s important to understand what a sensitive skin is. Sensitive skin is one which is unable to tolerate any unfavourable conditions (environmental/other), and which easily gets irritated on contact with foreign materials (including skin care products). For this reason, some products are especially labelled as sensitive skin care products. The degree of sensitivity can however vary from person to person (and depending on that, the sensitive skin care procedures vary too). 

Generally, all skin types respond negatively to detergents and other chemical based products. However, the damage starts generally beyond a defined threshold (or tolerance level). This tolerance level is very low for sensitive skin types, leading to skin getting damaged very easily and quickly.  Sensitive skin care products either avoid the potential irritants or keep them at very low concentrations.

Here are a few tips for sensitive skin care:
* Use sensitive skin care products only (i.e. the products that are marked for sensitive skin care only). Also, check the instructions/ notes on the product to see if there are specific restrictions/warnings associated with the product).

* Even within the range of sensitive skin care products, choose the one that has minimum preservatives, colourings and other additives

* Do not use toners. Most of them are alcohol based and are not recommended for sensitive skin.

* Wear protective gloves when doing laundry or other chemical based cleaning.  If you are allergic to rubber, you can wear cotton gloves below the rubber ones.

* Another important tip for ‘sensitive skin care’ is to avoid excessive exposure to sun. Apply sunscreen lotion before getting out in the sun.

* Avoiding exposure to dust and other pollutants is also important for sensitive skin care. So, cover yourself adequately before going out.

* Use hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic moisturizer as a sensitive skin care product (if there is none specifically labelled as a sensitive skin care product)

* Use soap-free and alcohol free cleansers. Cleanse your face whenever you return from spending time out doors.

* Do not scrub or exfoliate too hard. It can cause irritation and even inflammation.

* Do not leave the makeup on for too long. Use hypoallergenic makeup- removers.

So, sensitive skin care is very different from the normal skin care. Sensitive skin care is more about being careful with your skin (both in terms of sensitive skin care products and protection against environments atrocities on skin).

Understanding Common Skin Care Ingredients

Many people want a skin care expert to just tell them what product to use or what brand is best, but really the skin is as unique to you as the fingerprints on it and is constantly changing as we age, are under stress, and because of other factors. Rather than have someone just tell you what product to use it’s much better to learn about common skin care ingredients so that you can read labels and make the decision about what is best for you personally.

Most skin care ingredients are meant to accomplish one purpose or another; many are either moisturizers, cleansing agents, exfoliating agents, or are nutrients the skin needs such as vitamins or amino acids. For example common skin care ingredients that exfoliate include alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and amino fruit acids. These work by drying up and sloughing away that top layer of skin where there are dead skin cells and other impurities. Astringents for oily skin usually contain alcohol and acetone; these are very strong ingredients so don’t use any products with these unless you have very oily skin and even then only apply these to the oily areas of your face.

Some common moisturizing skin care ingredients include aloe, shea butter, essential fatty acids (EFA), and avocado oil. These ingredients all have natural oils and emollients that help skin to stay hydrated and that replace lost fatty tissue in the skin; this doesn’t make you look fat but just works to plump up the skin and make it seem soft, supple, and healthy. Vitamins are also important skin care ingredients so look for vitamin A which is usually referred to as retinol and vitamin E or vitamin E oil.

Many women are also opting for organic skin care ingredients so that they’re not adding unnatural chemicals and other additives to their face and harming their skin with any impurities. Organic means grown or produced without unnatural chemicals, hormones, or other additives and as far as skincare products go, they also typically leave out fragrances and perfumes, dyes, and preservatives as well. While many people are not typically bothered by the negligible amount of these ingredients in most skincare products some people are very sensitive. They may cause breakouts or irritations for some so choosing organic skin care ingredients can be a good choice for many; organic products are usually readily available at any retailer or cosmetics counter.

Of course there may be some skin care ingredients that are bothersome to you personally so you need to be aware of what products you’re using and how your skin responds. If you notice that a particular brand or product makes your skin seem red and irritated then you should probably discontinue using it. Opt for skin care ingredients that are made for sensitive skin even if you don’t think you have sensitive skin as these are usually water based and natural and also leave out many of the added chemicals that may irritate your skin.