Sensitive skin is a common skin condition. Genetically, sensitive skin is actually thinner, with blood vessels and nerve endings closer to the surface, that is more reactive to stimulants and irritants.

Sensitive skin can also be acquired, usually from the overuse of cleansers, exfoliants, or peels that strip the epidermis of barrier lipids that normally protect the skin from irritant inflammation.

Sensitive skin:

· Can develop hives easily

· Has subjective symptoms of stinging and burning easily

· Is often reactive to fragrance and essential oils

· Is sensitive to heat and cold

· May often have a form of rosacea

· Reacts quickly to stimulating products

· Reddens quickly and easily

So, here’s a go-to list of dos and don’ts for truly sensitive skin -

DON’T strip the skin. It is best to use only nonfoaming or low-foaming cleansers.

DO use ingredients that support the barrier function. Restoring the barrier function of the epidermis greatly reduces redness issues.

DON’T expose sensitive skin to heat sources, including the sun. Heat causes vasodilation, increasing blood flow and redness.

DO cool and soothe redness-prone skin.

DON’T use scratchy mechanical exfoliants like scrubs, especially ones with rough granules.

DO use products that contain calming agents that can help reduce redness. These ingredients include allantoin, aloe, bisabolol, dipotassium glycyrrhizate (from licorice root), green tea extracts, matricaria extract, and sea whip extract. Newer peptides like acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, dipeptide-2, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-3 also help to lessen redness.

DON’T use products that contain known sensitizers or common allergens. Fragrance is one of the main causes of cosmetic allergy.

DO keep the skin well moisturized. Dry skin has been documented to produce inflammatory reactions. Choose fragrance-free moisturizers that contain ingredients like sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, sodium PCA, and seaweed extracts that help the skin stay well hydrated.

DO use daily sunscreen specifically developed for sensitive skin. These sunscreens may also contain good moisturizing and soothing agents.

Source; Handle With Care, The Do’s and Don’ts for Handling Sensitive Skin by Mark Lees, Skin Deep Magazine, March/April 2016, Associated Skin Care Professionals