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Simple 10-Step Skincare Routine For Sensitive Skin
10/01/20238 min read
If you’re suffering from sensitive skin, you’ll want to listen up. Caring for your largest organ takes a little extra effort if you want to avoid redness, dryness, and flakiness. That’s where our simple skincare routine for sensitive skin comes in.
In this article, we’ll tell you how to know if your skin is sensitive and give you an effective and easy 10-step routine to help. Ready, set, love your skin!
Table Of Contents
- How Do I Know If My Skin Is Sensitive?
- Skincare Routine For Sensitive Skin: 10 Easy Steps
- Skincare Routine For Sensitive Skin: Tips
How Do You Know If Your Skin Is Sensitive?
If you think you have sensitive skin, you’re in good company. According to some studies, up to 70% of women and 60% of men surveyed report having some degree of this condition.
So what is sensitive skin exactly? It’s just what it sounds like — It’s skin that is quick to react to stimuli by becoming red, itchy, burning, or painful, even though such stimuli don’t normally provoke these sensations.
You probably already know if your skin is sensitive, but in case you’re unsure, here are a few ways to tell. If you drag your finger across your skin, does it immediately turn red? Do new products often lead to dryness, redness, irritation, or discomfort?
If you experience any of these things, you’ve probably got sensitive skin.
What Causes Sensitive Skin?
Although sometimes the culprit isn’t immediately apparent, there are some usual suspects that may be causing your sensitive skin.
Weather
Hot or dry climates can make skin extra sensitive as the heat deprives the skin of moisture.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Your skin could become sensitive due to an allergic reaction to things like preservatives, fragrances, or plants such as poison ivy and poison oak.
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when your skin is exposed to irritating substances like soaps, beauty products, or laundry detergents.
Eczema
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that makes skin extra sensitive. It causes inflammation, redness, and irritation. Symptoms can flare up for a variety of reasons, including diet and stress.
It’s not known why some people develop eczema, but researchers believe genes, environment, and immune system play a role.
Rosacea
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition causing red and irritated skin, most often on the cheeks and nose. Like eczema, symptoms can flare up as a result of stress, sun, or other external factors.
These are just a few things that might be exacerbating your skin’s sensitivity. Keep in mind that you can begin to experience skin sensitivities at any age. Just because you didn’t have sensitive skin as a child, doesn’t mean you can’t develop it later on in life.
Symptoms Of Sensitive Skin
If you want to know what sensitive skin looks like, here’s a handy list of symptoms:
- Itching
- Redness
- Burning sensation on your skin
- Dryness that may lead to cracking or blistering
- Tightness
- Rashes
- Peeling
- Acne
Now that you’ve read about what sensitive skin is, if you think you have it, it’s time to update your morning and evening skincare routines. Let’s take a look at what that means.
Skincare Routine For Sensitive Skin: 10 Easy Steps
Having a skincare routine for sensitive skin is essential if you want to make your skin more comfortable. Below are the essential steps to take and in what order to do them so you can get back to better skin days!
Morning Steps
1) Cleanse
The first thing you want to do in the morning is cleanse your skin. Be sure to use a gentle cleanser so as to not strip your skin of its essential oils.
Never wash with hot water, and be careful not to rub or tug at your skin. When you’re done, gently pat it dry.
2) Tone
The second step in your morning routine is to tone your skin. Use an alcohol-free toner to balance your skin’s pH levels.
Toner will also remove any remnants of dirt or debris missed when cleansing. Try one with hyaluronic acid for an extra boost of moisture.
3) Moisturize
After your toner, it’s time to moisturize. Slather on moisturizer while your skin is still damp so it can lock in the extra hydration. When choosing a moisturizer, look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, and make sure it
If you suffer from eczema, try Bodewell Daily Calming Cream to moisturize your skin. Made of a blend of 22 botanicals, soothing colloidal oatmeal, niacinamide, coconut oil, and vitamin E, it’s the perfect option to hydrate your extra-sensitive skin.
There’s even an on-the-go version for travel.
4) Apply SPF
Lastly, you’ll want to apply SPF to your face. Sun protection could be the most important step in daily skincare, as it not only helps to prevent skin cancer but also keeps your skin barrier strong.
Choose a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that’s formulated for sensitive skin.
Evening Steps
1) Remove Makeup
The first step at the end of the day is to remove your makeup. You can use micellar water and a cotton ball, or for stubborn lipsticks and mascaras, Vaseline works wonders.
2) Cleanse
After removing your makeup, get out your gentle cleanser and carefully wash your face with tepid water. As we said, don’t rub or tug at your skin, as that will be sure to cause irritation.
3) Tone
As you did in the morning, follow the cleansing with some toner. It’s even more important at night to have this second chance to catch any makeup that wasn’t fully removed with your cleanser.
4) Apply Serum
Here’s an extra step for your evening routine: Apply a serum. Serums address all sorts of concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. You can choose a formula with hyaluronic acid to help plump and hydrate your skin.
Serums, which are generally thin and easily spreadable, should soak into your skin before you apply your moisturizer. If your chosen serum works in the evening without irritating your skin, you can try adding it to your daytime routine as well.
5) Moisturize
Once you’ve addressed your specific skin concerns with your serum, it’s time to grab your moisturizer. Gently massage in your preferred skin cream. As we mentioned, some good ingredients to look out for include hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
6) Use A Mask Weekly
A face mask can be a good weekly extra to complement your daily skincare routine for sensitive skin. Try one with aloe vera, jojoba, or hyaluronic acid to amp up your skin’s hydration.
Skincare Routine For Sensitive Skin: Tips
Here are a few extra tips to keep in mind as you manage your sensitive skin.
Keep It Simple
The best skincare routine for sensitive skin is a simple one. “Less is more” should be your mantra. Always choose gentle products, and if there is a formula specifically made for sensitive skin, go with that.
If your skin becomes irritated, the fewer products you use, the easier it will be to figure out the culprit.
Read The Label
For those with sensitive skin, it’s important to spend some time reading the labels of your products. You want to avoid any perfumes, and be weary of products that have harsh chemical ingredients.
Keep Hydrating
The key to calming sensitive skin is hydration, hydration, hydration.
You want to moisturize your skin inside and out, which means applying your moisturizer often and keeping your glass filled with water. You may even want to try a humidifier if it’s dry in your house.
Turn Down The Heat
As heat can trigger skin sensitivity, turning it down can help. Fireplaces, indoor heaters, and even hot water can wreak havoc on your skin.
Make SPF Your BFF
Even with sensitive skin, you don’t want to skip the SPF. As we mentioned earlier, sunscreen will not only protect against skin cancer but it will also help keep your skin barrier intact. Make sure you apply it every few hours if you’re spending time outdoors.
Follow Your Skin’s Lead
The most important tip is to follow your skin’s lead. If your skin reacts, stop whatever you’re doing that makes it irritated. Your body knows what it likes and what it doesn’t. You just have to listen.
Love Your Skin Again
If your skin gets irritated easily, you’re in luck because you now have a simple and effective skincare routine for sensitive skin. We shared with you a morning and evening routine that includes cleansing, toning, and moisturizing your way to happier skin.
If you suffer from eczema, our Daily Calming Cream is a great option when it comes to moisturizing your skin. The proprietary botanical formula with colloidal oatmeal contains niacinamide, coconut oil, and Vitamin E to strengthen your skin barrier and help your skin heal.
With the right care and a little extra TLC, your sensitive skin will get its glow back in no time!
Sources
American Academy of Dermatology Mayo Clinic National Eczema Association National Institutes of Health
