Spotlight On: What Is Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is a truly challenging condition and those of you experiencing it will know all too well there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution when it comes to sensitive skin care. Whether for the face, body or scalp, you long for cleansers and creams that restore comfort, calm and resilience. Yet introducing new products into your skincare routine often exacerbates the issue, inducing a chain reaction of red, dry and broken skin unable to shield itself from toxins and irritants, thus causing further havoc.
For the purpose of focus, this article concentrates on facial skincare and, while there may not be a single sensitive skin solution, our carefully designed, handmade formulations do offer the ability to tailor a natural skincare treatment plan to your particular needs. Organic where possible and free from artificial colour, preservatives, petrochemical substances or steroids, our hyper-allergenic skincare collection products gently, yet effectively, calm, condition and protect, restoring healthy skin condition.
A preparatory word of advice? Resist the temptation to change everything right away. Gradual introduction is key for such a delicate skin type.
What Is Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive skin refers to a broad skin type that reacts to external, and internal, triggers with varying degrees of response. This can include dry or flaky skin and redness through to severe discomfort and pain whether it is inflamed, itchy, painful to touch, and more.
Sensitive skin can be experienced alongside other skin types and conditions. Oily and combination skin types can often exhibit symptoms and reactions, especially to strong or harsh products that have been used in the past, damaging the skin barrier.
Rosacea, for instance, a skin condition that causes facial redness flare ups across the forehead, cheeks nose and chin, which can last up to months at a time, can be aggravated with heat exposure or changing temperatures.
What Causes Sensitive Skin?
The primary symptoms of sensitive skin: dryness, irritation and inflammation, are all provoked by a host of causes – seasonal or a lifestyle change, exposure to pollution, allergens and reactions to chemicals, medicines or dermatological treatments such as steroid creams. Not forgetting also more concerning conditions stemming from birth or occurring as a result of health or hormonal change (prevalent conditions being Psoriasis and Eczema).
One of the most valuable things you can do on your sensitive skin journey is to identify what triggers your flare ups. While this can help you avoid them, in some cases, it can also help to discover their root cause.
How To Care For Sensitive & Very Dry Skin
As sensitive skin is so often a symptom of a deeper-rooted issue, or a side-effect of another skin condition or allergic reaction, there is not a definite cure. Therefore, keeping to a gentle but effective skincare routine tailored to skin sensitivity is the best way to keep on top of it and minimise discomfort.
Whatever your choice of cleanser, use only cool or tepid water to rinse it away. Hot or very warm water, as well as flannel or muslin cloths, can exacerbate sensitive skin symptoms.
As an added protective barrier or to treat already reactive skin, apply a nourishing and gently refining treatment. We recommend Blemish Rescue Mask. This antioxidant and vitamin-rich formulation boasts an impressive listing of intense oils, butters and extracts, including Sesame Seed and Peach Kernel oils, Shea Nut and Cocoa Seed butters, plus Aloe Vera. The result? The skin mantle is strengthened, and repair boosted; skin feels instantly rehydrated, smoother and softer, while also looking noticeably brighter.
Once your cleanser or mask is rinsed away, soak a cotton pad in Softening Scalp Tincture and press lightly onto particular area(s) of concern. Relieving irritation and bringing replenishing relief to affected areas, this tonic is specially formulated with soothing Sophora and Monnier's Snowparsley extracts, re-energising Japanese Knotweed Extract plus hydrating Japanese Larch Extract.
Follow by massaging Nourishing Cream into skin. With its profoundly soothing and protecting infusion of antioxidant Sesame Seed Oil, calming Jojoba Seed Oil and nourishing Shea Nut Butter – among many other notable extracts – it comes as no surprise this moisturiser is our bestselling emollient.
If you think you are suffering from any of the symptoms related to sensitive skin, take a look at our complete hyper-sensitive skin care collection today.
If you need further support, please contact us here.
