Beauty, Health, Skin care, Natural cosmetics, Care & make-up
The ultimate pro guide for sensitive skin
Jun
More and more people are struggling with sensitive, easily reactive skin and its consequences. In this ultimate guide, we look at the causes of sensitive skin and, above all, what you can do for this skin type, how you can care for your skin and how you can even achieve healthy, normal skin again.
What is sensitive skin?
In simple terms, sensitive skin is a temporary or long-term condition in which the skin reacts quickly and/or frequently to external and internal influences. This can be redness, but also increased dryness, stinging, burning, impurities and inflammation. On the one hand, the skin shows an external reaction, on the other hand, the skin no longer feels pleasant.
These are the signs of a reaction of sensitive skin.
Why sensitive skin?
There are many causes of sensitive skin, which can lie in the environment and in the body itself. External influences can be: intensive environmental influences, stress, seasonal and weather changes, travelling, insufficient sleep, incorrect care, sun, wind and intense heat, water quality and much more. Reasons that are rooted in the body itself can be: food intolerances, spicy foods, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, genetic predisposition, and many more.
So it can happen that in the course of a lifetime everyone has, if not permanently, then at least for a short time, sensitive or sensitised skin that reacts more quickly.
This means that sensitive skin does not necessarily remain sensitive forever. Particularly dry skin, for example, needs oil and moisture, and when it is supplied with these, the skin calms down again and can return to its normal appearance.
It is therefore crucial to recognise sensitive skin quickly and care for it correctly. With this comprehensive guide, you can quickly get sensitive skin back under control:
Do NOT do list: avoid with sensitive skin
Sensitive skin reacts to even a single environmental influence. It is therefore important to prevent possible causes of further and more intense reactions:
- no fragrances: No fragrances of synthetic origin (as Fragrance or Perfume declared on the packaging); also no essential oils, including in particular lavender, rose, geranium, citrus fruits, peppermint, eucalyptus and tea tree oil. The volatile compounds in essential oils can also irritate the skin. Synthetic fragrances can irritate the skin and lead to redness, roughness, and certainly peeling and dry-hot skin.
- No solid soaps, gel cleansers, peelings and such cleanserswhich can further dry out and irritate the skin
- No abrasive cleaners and applicationssuch as cleansing brushes with stiff brushes, firm sponges and towels
- No alcohol - neither in toners nor in care products
- no salicylic acids, no retinol, no menthol
Caring for sensitive skin - step by step
1. crucial: cleaning
Cleansing lays the foundation for the care of sensitive skin and the wrong, unsuitable cleanser can ruin all attempts to get the skin under control with care. It is therefore crucial to As gentle, non-foaming, water-soluble cleaners and oil cleaners as possible to set.
Ideal are Oil cleaner and cleaning milkand cleaning with the Konjac sponge.
In the morning and when you are not wearing make-up, cleansing with the Konjac sponge (CH | EU) is ideal: it leaves the skin's protective barrier and fatty acid mantle intact, maintains the skin's individual pH value, has a light moisturising effect and glides over the skin so gently that it can even be used to cleanse the eye area. The Konjac sponge cleanses more effectively than even water can. A win-win for sensitive skin!
A water-soluble oil cleanser, such as Pure Cleansing Dew from De Mamiel (CH | EU), or the Swipe Clean Oil Cleanser from BYBI (CH | EU).
My recommendations:
Here's a tip from make-up artist Lina Hanson on cleansing:
"Make sure your face doesn't get wet in the shower - water that is too hot can cause inflammation of the skin."
2. nourish instead of irritate: the tonic
Toners with alcohol and essential oils are taboo for sensitive skin, as are essences with a large number of active ingredients, as these can potentially cause irritation. Ideal are skin nourishing toner which are rich in antioxidants, soothing active ingredients and hyaluronic acid for an extra boost of moisture. Gentle on the skin and nourishing are also Hydrolates (so-called plant water)e.g. with rose, hammamelis or orange. The Mega Mist from BYBI (CH | EU), with a combination of hydrolates, algae extract and hyaluronic acid.
After cleansing, spray the toner generously onto the skin and give it a little time to absorb. This means: once the toner has been sprayed on, allow it to absorb briefly.
Tip: Hydrosols and toners can also be sprayed on during the day, even over make-up! If the skin feels hot, starts to redden or reacts, a soothing toner can quickly help to calm it down.
My recommendation:
3. gold standard: the right care
Many people look after their sensitive skin with specific care products. The previous steps of cleansing and toning are crucial and can make a difference!
The right care for sensitive skin should not irritate or stimulate it, but should also nourish, moisturise, care for and at the same time build up and strengthen the skin and support the skin barrier so that the skin can better defend itself against environmental influences and thus possibly become less sensitive. Of course, the skin should also be strengthened in the long term so that it can regulate itself again and return to its normal skin condition and is no longer sensitive. That's a lot of requirements for one skincare step!
As is so often the case, we find exactly what we need in nature in its purest form: Oils rich in omega fatty acids nourish and care for the skin while strengthening the skin barrier. In addition to skin barrier-strengthening oils Soothing active plant ingredients essential for sensitive skin. Calendula, camomile, turmeric, evening primrose oil and borage are among the favourites for soothing sensitive skin.
Nature's original products are ideal for sensitive skin: oils (instead of creams) in organic quality so as not to add the plant "protective" agents used in conventional cultivation to the skin.
Young skin up to about 20benefits best from pure base oils: Jojoba, almond, avocado and argan applied purely to the skin soothe and strengthen it.
How to apply facial oils correctly for sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is irritated by even light pressure. You need to bear this in mind when applying skincare and can therefore use this trick:
Firstly, moisten the face with the toner and allow it to absorb. Now mix a small amount of facial oil with toner in the palm of your hand and apply this mixture directly to the skin by gently placing the palms of your hands on your face and rolling them lightly. This way, the oil is "pressed" or "dabbed" into the skin instead of massaged in so as not to irritate the skin.
Skin from early/mid 20s already has a higher skin care requirement, it needs more moisturising and more intensive protection, as well as antioxidants and prevention of the first signs of ageing.
The Restorative Face Serum from Soapwalla (CH | EU) provides intensive relief, soothing and protection all in one. Organic rosehip seed oil, carrot seed oil and evening primrose oil supply the skin with the most important nutrients and vitamins, nourish and clarify it, soothe and rebuild it, making it stronger and more resilient.
Important: When applying, do not press or pull the skin too hard, but dab the oil into the skin with the gentlest pressure (instead of "smearing", which can be too irritating for sensitive skin).
Sensitive skin from the end of 20 our full attention and maximum prevention, protection and care in one. The well-known Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, which contains only 4 ingredients, has been specially developed for hypersensitive skin (CH | EU). Rosehip seed oil, rosehip fruit pulp extract, vitamin E and rosemary extract have an intensive soothing effect and rebalance the skin thanks to the numerous omega fatty acids.
My No. 1 tip for sensitive skin - and also that of the Hollywood star on the red carpet - is the Lina Hanson Global Face Serum (CH | EU) made from marula baobab and camellia seed oil. It is a lighter oil that is quickly absorbed and soothes, softens and gently refreshes the skin. Marula oil strengthens the skin's self-healing function, while baobab oil improves skin texture and tone for a non-reddened, relaxed complexion. Camellia seed oil effectively counteracts pigmentation disorders and the first fine lines.
4. hypersensitive skin, extremely reactive skin and skin in a state of emergency
Skin that is in this SOS exceptional state needs to be cared for even more carefully and - literally - touched. Here is specially developed for this skin condition Specialised and intensive care a must, at least until the skin feels better again and regains its balance. In addition, even very dry skin should not be moisturised with oils that are too greasy or too "heavy", as this can be too intensive and the skin will continue to react.
In my experience, this state of emergency requires the Lina Hanson Global Sensitive & Baby Serum (CH | EU) provides relief, care and prevention at the same time: The oil from the seeds of the Kalahari melon has a deep moisturising, soothing and nourishing effect. Cucumber seed oil and jojoba oil also work in the deeper layers of the skin and nourish and moisturise the skin from the inside. The skin is soothed and deeply nourished by the organic oils it contains, giving it the chance to rebuild itself. The texture is light and can be applied without tugging or pulling. The Global Sensitive Serum is also ideal for the often irritated eye area.
Cream instead of oil: If you absolutely do not want to use oils on your skin, you can use skin care creams and water-based serums specially developed for sensitive skin. Care should be taken to ensure that the list of ingredients is not too long and that the above-mentioned don'ts are not included.
At BIOMAZING, we have had good experience with the Olive-Sensitive series from Safeas (CH | EU), which was specially developed without essential oils for sensitive skin. The Care creams from Pai for sensitive skin are a gentle and effective option for troubled skin.
5. necessary extra protection: sun protection
Sensitive skin reacts even more strongly than normal skin to environmental influences and especially to the sun. A medium (SPF 30) to strong sun protection, depending on the season and time spent in the sun, is therefore part of the mandatory programme for sensitive skin. It is important to ensure that it is a purely physical filter, as chemical filters can further sensitise and irritate sensitive skin. Another advantage of the natural filters is the physical protective barrier on the skin due to the zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.
The fact that sun protection also prevents skin ageing and can delay the first signs of skin ageing is a nice side effect, but above all it shows one thing: The skin is better protected with physical protective filters and therefore healthier, which is particularly important for sensitive skin.
6. exfoliation for sensitive skin?
In general, natural cosmetics are not recommended for exfoliation, especially for sensitive skin. Those who absolutely do not want to do without exfoliation should use Natural fruit acids and refrain from mechanical exfoliation. These can irritate the skin too much and cause redness.
My tip: Mix a mask with avocado, a little yoghurt (for the lactic acid) and honey and see if your skin tolerates it. If it reacts well, you can add a few (!) drops of fresh apple juice or 1-2 drops of lemon juice for the slightly stronger exfoliating effect of the lactic and fruit acids.
If you want to try a more intensive peeling effect, you can try the Whamisa Peeling Mitts. These allow you to control the manual pressure and immediately see whether the skin reacts. In addition to the exfoliating effect, the peeling mitts also contain soothing and restorative plant nutrients.
7. masks for sensitive skin? Yes, absolutely!
Sensitive skin needs extra intensive care, and masks are ideal for this.
My tips for the best masks for sensitive skin:
- Reddened skin without glow: Pai Skincare Rosehip Rapid Radiance Mask (CH | EU)
- irritated skin that needs soothing and gentle care: Safea's linseed mask (CH | EU) or the soothing mask from Dr Hauschka (CH)
- sensitive skin prone to impurities and inflammation, pigmentation disorders: Lina Hanson Global Face Trio (CH | EU)
- Soothing and cooling sheet mask: Whamisa Flowers & Aloe Vera Sheet Mask (CH | EU)
- DIY: Manuka honey and avocado have a soothing, moisturising effect and nourish the skin down to the deeper layers.
If you follow the most important basic rules for caring for sensitive skin, you will soon be able to enjoy revitalised, soothed skin again. To keep it that way, you also have to be careful not to irritate the skin when applying make-up. This is because make-up stays on the skin all day and therefore has plenty of time to irritate it. Mineral make-up is the best choice for sensitive skin, as it is largely non-irritating and also protects the skin from negative environmental influences.
Do you still have questions or need a personalised recommendation for your skin? Write me an email! To: contact@biomazing.ch with the subject "Question for Anna" and I will endeavour to help and advise you and your skin as quickly as possible!
