If your cosmetics are irritating your skin, it’s possible that the products you’re using to help your complexion could be making matters worse. Eye itching, burning sensations, and dryness are all red flags that something isn’t right, that is why we have to take into account the skincare products for sensitive skin.
If you’re one of the many people with sensitive skin, you know how irritating it can be when a product doesn’t work for you. And more often than not, it’s due to these ingredients:
- Alcohol (or Ethanol)
- Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
- Sulfates
- Fragrance
- Lactic Acid
- Glycolic Acid
- Benzoyl Peroxide
- Petroleum
If you have sensitive skin, you’re not alone—eight ingredients commonly found in cosmetics can cause irritations. To help you make the best choices for your delicate skin, we’ve assembled a brief guide outlining what might be causing your discomfort and alternatives to try.
Skincare products for sensitive skin – Be careful of Dual-Purpose
Many cosmetics have multiple uses. For example, there are lotions that not only moisturize, but also help prevent aging. Similarly, there are face washes that cleanse and fight acne at the same time.
If you apply a lotion containing anti-aging serum and then use foundation to cover wrinkles, you may be using too much of one ingredient without realizing it. This can lead to a dry, blotchy complexion.
This similar pattern can be seen in people who want to treat their acne. They’ll buy every product they can find that has any relation to acne-fighting ingredients. Benzoyl peroxide ends up in their face wash, foundation, and spot treatment. Unfortunately, the inflammation on their skin gets worse instead of better.
If you think you might be overloading your skin with one ingredient or have sensitive skin, don’t worry. You don’t need to give up makeup completely. Just choose your cosmetics wisely.
Best Eye Products for Sensitive Skin
If your eyelids are red, itchy, or scaly, chances are it’s not from the eyeshadow. The number one reason for eyelid dermatitis is usually liquid liner or mascara. Try hypoallergenic products instead to see if that helps. All-natural products are even better as they have fewer chemicals that could irritate your skin.
The Best Makeup Options for Those with Sensitive Skin
Many popular cosmetics, like foundations, contain skin irritants such as sulfates, petroleum, fragrance, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), glycolic acid, and lactic acids. So please take extra care when using anti-aging products that often have AHAs.
Skin-drying and irritating alcohol (ethanol) are commonly found in foams or gels. If you have sensitive skin, it may cause a burning sensation.
If you have sensitive skin, you must use a hypoallergenic foundation. If your skin starts to react badly to your makeup, switch out for a product that is designed for sensitive skin types such as Maskne from Skindinavia.
Every day, we put products on our faces without realizing it could be making our skin problems worse. If you have acne, choose a product that is oil-free and non-comedogenic to avoid clogging pores.
Best Cleanser and Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin
Many cleansing and moisturizing products contain sulfates and fragrances, which can cause skin irritation.
It’s common to select beauty products based on how they smell, but what you might not know is that those fragrances could be damaging your skin. Chemicals like sulfates or sulfides are often used to make a fragrance last longer, but since they’re foreign to your skin, using them for an extended period can cause irritation and rashes.
Choose fragrance-free soaps and moisturizers for your daily skincare routine — they are typically much gentler on the skin.
Not only should you be aware of the ingredients in your facial cleanser, but also those in your hand soap. Some people can even have contact dermatitis on their hands from using strongly scented hand soaps and lotions. It’s important to remember that fragrances can irritate any part of your body — not just your face.
Test Your Products
When you’re thinking about purchasing a new cosmetic, always check the ingredients list first. The fewer ingredients there are, the less likely you’ll have an allergic reaction.
If you want to test whether a skin product is compatible with your skin, apply a small amount of it to your forearm or behind your ear. If you experience any burning or itching within five minutes, stop using the product and don’t buy it.
FAQ for Skincare Products for Sensitive Skin
What is sensitive skin a symptom of?
When our skin is sensitive, the barrier that protects us from outside sources like irritants, microbes, and allergens becomes less effective. In turn, we may experience stinging, pain, redness, or flushing sensations.
What are the 5 signs of sensitive skin?
Skin sensitivity can result in burning, tingling, itching, tightness, and redness upon exposure to typically harmless substances.
Does sensitive skin ever go away?
Skin sensitivity shouldn’t scare you. If you don’t know the cause, your dermatologist will help identify the issue and put together a plan to heal it.
Are there medical tests for sensitive skin?
Although no one test can entirely diagnose you with sensitive skin, your doctor may be able to better understand the causes of your issues by administering a combination of tests and observing over time.