Oh so sensitive!

A sensitive skin demands safer products

Changing weather, food habits and changes in our lifestyles directly reflect on our skin. The effects of a heat wave or a night out with friends are clearly seen on our looks. Because of our fast-paced lives, we are constantly looking for quick-fix solutions for your skin problems. This invariably forces us to use multiple skincare products on a daily basis, which can harm the skin.

Bad reactions to skincare products can be because of a number of reasons. It may be because of a host of chemicals in the products or your skin may be extremely sensitive and requires gentle formulations. It could also be a result of the use of multiple products on your skin that may have suffocated your skin.

Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind if your skin is sensitive to most over-the-counter skin products:

• Check if the products you are using contain harmful chemicals. It is imperative to thoroughly read the labels of the over-the-counter creams, lotions and serums. See if there are any questionable ingredients and read through the composition of the product.
• Allow your skin to breathe. Reduce the number of products to a bare minimum. Use what is required and give your skin some time to recover and recuperate. Use minimal makeup or avoid it altogether.
• Check your skin type. People with sensitive skin tend to react badly to most products, especially the ones that are heavy on chemicals.
• Look for the triggers that cause allergies like exposure to pollutants, hormonal imbalance, stress, grooming products, fabrics, cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, radiators or room heaters in overdrive. Once you find the trigger, moderate its influence, anticipate the time and amount of exposure to it. You’ll automatically be able to predict, and manifest better control of your sensitive skin. Use products which are specifically designed for sensitive skin types.
• Switching to Ayurvedic options is ideal when your skin is acting up. Ayurveda is an approach of creating tried and tested formulations that can be used on even the most gentle and delicate skin. It focuses on keeping the human body connected with Nature. Using and introducing natural skincare items in your regime is essential. Most of us wear make-up which contains harmful chemicals on a day-to-day basis. Hence, it is important to switch to cleaner, more natural alternatives as part of your skincare routine.

Rely on the age-old science of Ayurveda and check what your doshas are. Consult an Ayurvedic doctor and get a dosha test done to see your Ayurvedic body makeup. They determine the chemical, physical and emotional composition of your body. This makes them powerful and necessary for existence, let alone for cures.

Use gentle products that suit your skin type and problems. Use products such as pure rose water to balance and tone your skin, anti-acne cleansing foam to calm the breakouts and a natural makeup remover to clean the impurities off your skin. Since the beginning of time, Ayurveda has known for its ability to do more than simply moisturise, protect or hydrate the skin. It stands on the crucial premise of self-healing, and healthy perpetuation. It helps you achieve this by reiterating the importance of balance. Every Ayurvedic recommendation painstakingly represents this.

(The author is associated with Kama Ayurveda)