Sensitive skin reacts quickly with redness, tightness, itching, and flaking. It requires a tender touch. Sensitive skin can also be unforgiving when the wrong treatment is used, causing irritation or acne breakouts.
Getting too much sun and switching to new cosmetics usually aren’t tolerated well by sensitive skin; stress also can do a number on your complexion.
One of the best ways to take care of sensitive skin is with skin allergy testing. At our dermatology office in Hackensack, New Jersey, Dr. Allen Sapadin helps alleviate sensitive skin by determining what’s behind allergic reactions. By addressing the root cause, we can provide relief.
There are no established medical parameters for the condition that we call sensitive skin. In most cases, it merely means it’s unpredictable. The skin reacts for inexplicable reasons, becoming red, dry, tight, flaky, or even pimply.
Additionally, aging skin reacts differently than it did when you were younger. With age, skin creates less collagen and grows more sensitive, becoming thinner and more fragile.
The protective outer layer (epidermis) that protects your skin from irritation and environmental influences weakens. Plus, your skin loses moisture more quickly. So how can you soothe sensitive skin at home?
Skin sensitivities can go away on their own, so there’s no need to panic. Our dermatologists offer fast relief, too, but here are five ways you can alleviate sensitive skin at home.
Green tea can soothe acutely irritated skin. It’s been shown to improve oily skin, prevent some skin cancers, and heal acne and rosacea. When applied externally, the tea can reduce bacterial attacks on the skin and accelerate wound healing.
Some people with sensitive skin react harshly to the sun. However, choosing an incompatible sunscreen may also encourage an allergic reaction. The best options for sensitive skin are physical sunscreens that contain titanium oxide or zinc.
If you have sensitive skin, choose a sunscreen that’s free of parabens and fragrances (to avoid unpleasant chemical reactions) and that has.a high sun protection factor (preferably SPF 50 or higher). Apply plenty of sunscreen and reapply every two hours when you’re outdoors.
Avoid anything that promotes blood circulation, which encourages facial redness. This includes spicy foods, coffee, tea, alcohol, nicotine, saunas, and steam baths.
If you aren’t keen on nixing the spicy foods or coffee, some products mitigate redness by covering it with a green pigment. These are usually concealers or creams that hide the redness and are often the ideal basis for preparing the skin for makeup afterward.
As with sunscreen, all products that you use on your face should be unscented. This way, you can be sure that there aren’t extraneous chemicals that might irritate or damage your skin.
Bonus tip: When you perform your daily cleansing routine, use lukewarm water instead of hot. Hot water leaches moisture from your skin.
Using gentle and effective cosmetics as part of your daily skin health routine is essential for alleviating sensitive skin. Ask us about Revision Skincare® products and how this unique brand can work for your sensitive skin.
If at-home care doesn’t provide relief from dry, itchy, sensitive skin, let us help you find out what’s causing it. Make an appointment by calling 201-525-0057, or use our convenient online booking tool. We now offer telehealth videoconferencing appointments as well.
