Sensitive Skin: The 5 biggest mistakes you should avoid

Sensitive skin sufferers – like us – will know the feeling of how difficult it can be to treat and maintain constantly irritated skin. But more often than not, we may be approaching our problems with a few common mistakes.

Sensitive skin has special needs. With uncomfortable symptoms such as eczema, rosacea, rashes, dryness, redness and acne, the proper care is essential. From over-washing to facial scrubs, here are five sensitive skin mistakes you should avoid:

1. Over-washing or washing with a harsh cleanser

Washing your face in the morning or night is essential to keeping your skin free from pollution and makeup – but washing more than once or twice a day, or with the wrong cleanser can irritate your skin’s natural barrier, leading to further problems and imperfections. Most foaming and gel cleansers are formulated with harsh ingredients that remove the skin’s natural oils – stripping it of water and leaving it feeling tight and dry. Instead, opt for a sulfate-free or milk cleanser that won’t dry out the skin. If you suffer from extra sensitive skin, we suggest only washing your face once a day.

2. Facial scrubs

Sensitive skin sufferers should steer clear of harsh scrubs that contain large exfoliating particles – this will further irritate the skin and result in redness, dryness and even acne. However, we don’t need to rule out scrubs completely because we just have to find the right product. Instead, opt for a scrub that is made up of smaller grains and calming cleansing properties. Choose a product that contains castor oil or glycerin. Instead of scrubbing everyday, only scrub twice a month. Use a rejuvenating face mask after scrubbing to restore the skin’s natural moisture.

3. Using too much moisturiser

Much like avoiding moisturiser can disrupt our skin’s healthy sebum production, frequent overuse of moisturiser will result in the same issue. Using too much facial cream can cause your skin to become dependent on it for moisture – creating lazy skin that has a dull appearance. Excess moisturiser can also lead to clogged pores and breakouts. To treat sensitive skin, use a moisturiser no more than twice a day.

4. Not performing patch tests

Even if the product is targeted for sensitive skin, a patch test is essential when investing in a new product – especially if it costs a pretty penny. Skin irritation and redness are not worth the trouble in the event that your skin completely disagrees with the product. The best place to patch test skincare products is at the back of your neck. Apply a small amount of the product to this area, gently rub it in, and wait at least 24 hours. If there is no negative reaction, then the product is safe for continued use.

5. Introducing new products too quickly

When introducing new products to your skin, it is best to take it very slow. Even when you have patch tested them, it is best to only introduce one new product to your skin every 5-7 days. This way, if a negative reaction does occur, you can easily pinpoint which product it was and stop using it. You should also avoid products that contain fragrances and perfumes as they are loaded with commonly known irritants that don’t agree with sensitive skin. Keep a lookout for products that come with gentle essential oils such as lavender, rose and jasmine.

It may take a little more effort to take care of your sensitive skin but at least you’ll be keeping the rashes at bay!

Shannon Gallagher