If you struggle with sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to avoid certain skincare ingredients. Here are some of the best sensitive skin care options to look for.
Sensitive skin can be difficult to manage, especially when you’re not sure which products might actually cause irritation.
If you want dewy, calm skin, understanding what triggers your sensitive skin and learning which ingredients to avoid can help you create a more effective and gentle skincare routine.
Here are five common ingredients to avoid, as well as sensitive skin products that will help your skin feel better.
What causes sensitive skin?
A few different factors can make your skin feel red, itchy, hot, or dry.
Internal factors that cause sensitive skin
Various internal factors can contribute to skin sensitivity:
- Genetics: If your parents or siblings have sensitive skin, you are more likely to experience it too. Genetics play an important role in determining your skin’s reactivity and tolerance levels.
- Hormones: Hormonal fluctuations, especially during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause, can make your skin more sensitive. These changes can affect your skin’s barrier function and increase its sensitivity to irritation.
- Age: As you age, your skin becomes thinner and loses some of its natural protective barriers. This makes it more prone to sensitivity and irritation from external factors.
- Allergies: If you are allergic to certain foods or even dog/cat hair, your skin can be one of the warning signs.
External factors that cause sensitive skin
External factors also cause sensitive skin reactions:
- Weather: Extreme weather conditions such as harsh winds, cold temperatures and excessive sun exposure can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to increased sensitivity.
- Pollution: Air pollution can clog pores and irritate the skin, exacerbating sensitivity. Pollutants can break down the skin’s barrier function, making it more vulnerable to irritants.
- Skin care products: Some ingredients in skincare products can irritate sensitive skin. Identifying and avoiding these ingredients is essential to maintaining a healthy and balanced skin care routine.
Skin care ingredients to avoid for sensitive skin
When dealing with sensitive skin, you need to be careful about the ingredients in your skin care products. Here are five ingredients to avoid to avoid irritation and maintain healthy skin.
- Perfumes
Fragrances are commonly added to skin care products to enhance their scent. However, they can irritate sensitive skin. Fragrances can cause allergic reactions leading to redness, itching and rashes. It is best to choose fragrance-free products to minimize the risk of irritation.
- Alcohol
Alcohol, particularly denatured alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, is often used in skin care products for its quick-drying properties. However, alcohol can be extremely drying and strip the skin of its natural oils, causing irritation and sensitivity. Look for alcohol-free or sensitive skin products with added moisturizing ingredients.
- Sulphates
Sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), are commonly found in cleansers and shampoos. They are effective at removing dirt and oil, but can be too harsh on sensitive skin. Sulfates can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier, leading to dryness and irritation. Choose sulfate-free cleansers and shampoos to protect your sensitive skin.
- Chemical exfoliants
While exfoliation is essential to remove dead skin cells and promote cell renewal, some exfoliants can be too harsh on sensitive skin. Natural exfoliants, such as scrubs with large particles, can cause microtears and irritation. Chemical exfoliants, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), can also be very strong. Choose gentle, natural exfoliants specially designed for sensitive skin.
- Preservatives
Preservatives are essential to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold in skin care products. However, some preservatives such as parabens and formaldehyde releasers can cause allergic reactions and irritation. When shopping, invest in sensitive skin products with milder preservatives or preservative-free options.
Learn more: Effective Sensitive Skin Tricks to Treat Sensitive Skin
The best ingredients for sensitive skin
The best products for sensitive skin use only natural ingredients that soothe and calm irritated skin. Regular use will help reduce breakouts and give you the confidence to get through the day without the stress of itchy or burning skin.
Invest in quality products for sensitive skin and follow a regular routine. At Botani, some of the ingredients we recommend for sensitive skin are:
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Vitamin B3: Has an incredible cooling effect when applied and strengthens your skin’s barrier function
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Vegan collagen: Derived from rice amino acids, soy, baobab and L-proline. It works to stimulate your body’s natural collagen production, which can help soothe sensitive skin
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Olive Squalane: To seal moisture in your skin and strengthen its protective barriers
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Olive Leaf Extract: A powerful antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory properties
Shop our collection for sensitive skin
Quality sensitive skin products boost your skin’s natural defenses and hydration levels, protecting you from that uncomfortable feeling of dry, inflamed or itchy skin.
Start with our dry and sensitive skin bundle: these all-natural products set the gold standard in skin hydration, repair and nourishment. The Sensitive Skin Care Package covers all the bases with:
- Cleansing – Olive Soothing Cream Cleanser
- Treatment and hydration – olive skin serum
- Moisturizing – Restorative Olive Cream
Use these high quality sensitive skin products morning and night for a few weeks and let us know the results you experience.
Click to view the entire Botani line of products for sensitive skin.
