If your skin is sensitive...

Here are some do’s and don'ts for sensitive skin

Healthy, glowing skin uplifts your look, confidence, and brings out the best in you! Prevention is better than cure, especially when your skin is sensitive. If your skin turns a blushing red in the sun, a rash pops up whenever you try a new product or cosmetic, or your skin feels itchy, flaky and uncomfortable in pollution, you have sensitive skin. Sensitive skin is most often caused by irritation of the nerve endings of your top layer of skin, the epidermis. While it may sound like a daunting task to take care of sensitive skin, with the right mix of products, treatments and skincare tips, this type of skin can easily be taken care of!

Do's

Test Products Beforehand: While most products are clinically tested for the mentioned skin type it is recommended that we do our own test. Take a small quantity of the product and apply it on your skin, not face, and wait for 24-48 hours to make sure that it doesn’t cause any adverse reaction to your skin.

Use Mild Products: It is extremely important to check for the ingredients before using a product. Ensure that you choose products for sensitive skin, especially products free of botanicals, alcohol and acids such as Salicylic Acid which is commonly found in Acne-treatment products. Start your basic daily skincare routine with a mild cleanser, followed by an alcohol-free toner and followed by a fragrance-free moisturiser. Do not use too hot or too cold water and make sure not to use any abrasive tools, such as loofahs or face rollers.

Watch when you’re stepping out in the sun: Although a sufficient amount of time outdoors in the sun is important for us and our skin, try to avoid stepping outdoors in the afternoon and early evening. Harsh sunlight and extreme heat will lead redness of the skin, rashes, severe tanning and premature lines and wrinkles. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen and try to cover your skin with sunglasses, long sleeves and wide-brimmed hats.

Don'ts

Eat greasy, fast food: This is even more relevant for sensitive skin! Make sure you develop healthy eating habits and include lots of fruits, green vegetables, and avoid store-bought & over-processed snacks. A healthy diet will help flush out toxins which, in turn, will help your skin get that internal glow!

Forget to hydrate: While drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily is essential, having sensitive skin means you’ll need to do more than that to hydrate your skin. Many skincare brands have hydrating creams and gels, suitable for sensitive skin, which hydrates your skin well. In addition, apply a hydrating moisturiser with SPF to ensure that your skin doesn’t get dehydrated, which can lead to premature lines, wrinkles and pigmentation.

Blindly follow home remedies: Homemade packs and scrubs can work wonders if used the right way, however, with sensitive skin, it is strongly advised to not use them without doing a skin test first. Also, ensure no harsh ingredients are used in them. Avoid remedies which include lemon, apple cider vinegar, sugar or any form of spices or citrus. A useful homemade remedy which can come in handy for sensitive skin is a face mask of equal parts oatmeal, yoghurt and honey. It will help remove the tan and gently exfoliate without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

(The author is skin expert, Looks Salon)