Sensitive skin can be much more than just a mild inconvenience to its sufferers. It can prevent them from using a whole series of cosmetics from moisturisers and soaps to perfumes, and even stop them wearing certain clothes or keeping pets. Fortunately, the cosmetics industry recognised that people with sensitive skin had a very limited choice when it came to their products, and virtually every product now has a version for sensitive skin.

The picture is slightly blurred by the fact that different people are sensitive to different ingredients, and also that some people define \”sensitive\” differently to others. There is a wide range of conditions and reactions that can all come under the umbrella term, including eczema, redness, itchiness or simply dryness. Sensitive skin care should therefore address the particular issues, although in practice it usually refers simply to that fact that certain ingredients (for example alcohol) have been left out or replaced by others.

As well as seeking out products specifically designed for sensitive skin types, there are some general rules which, if followed, can help with your sensitive skin problem when it comes to cosmetics.

First of all, it is worth remembering that your skin does produce its own natural barrier which protects it from the world around us. It is called sebum, and it is produced in our sebaceous glands near the surface of the skin. Sweat also plays a part, so anything that blocks the pores can slow down the rate at which these oils and fluids can reach the skin, possibly making an already sensitive condition worse. It may be that the sensitivity is caused by a lack of such substances being produced naturally in the first place, and if it is leading to discomfort medical help might be required. But preventing blockage wherever possible can be a good step to take, so make sure you remove makeup before bed and generally wear it as little as possible.

As already mentioned, some ingredients are left out of commercially available products to make them suitable for sensitive skin. Quite often these are liquids and gels that hold the actual pigment together. After all, most make-up is simply a powder held in suspension, and the liquid itself often evaporates once applied, rather like drying paint. So if the liquid can be left out altogether, so much the better. That\’s why using cosmetics that come in powder form are best. And if they are mineral-based rather than talc-based, even better as these will lessen pore clogging. In general, the fewer the ingredients, the smaller the likelihood that a cosmetic will cause an adverse reaction.

One of the potential problems is that sensitivity is often accompanied by visible signs such as redness or uneven skin, and the natural reaction is to reach for the concealers, foundations and other cosmetics to cover them up. Unfortunately this could be throwing petrol on the flames, especially if care is not taken to ensure the products are kind to skin. While it is certainly difficult to resist covering up, letting your skin breathe and choosing the mildest possible cosmetics could end up being a better long-term solution.

Author Bio: Gordon is beauty and skin care treatment specialist and offers help on caring for sensitive skin and generally on the benefit of skin care products.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
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