Time to get yourself some silky AF sheets.
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By Maureen Choi, Cosmopolitan
For those who deal with random rashes on the regular, tweaking your skin-care routine — or even worse, adopting a new beauty product — can be the dermatological equivalent of a science experiment. Will it give you those funny bumps again? Result in redness? While there’s no magic pill to get rid of sensitive skin completely (thank you, genes/stress/pollution), there are solid moves to make your face freak out a whole lot less. Here, the tricks every girl with sensitive skin should know.
1.
Sleep on silk.
[post_ads]Sure, it’s sexy as hell, but there’s also real science behind this tip: “Your skin produces oil and perspiration while you sleep, and natural fibers like silk or 100 percent cotton will help soak them up,” explains Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist Noëlle S. Sherber, as opposed to “non-breathable, synthetic fabrics that can trap gunk against your skin and clog your pores.” For the best beauty rest, ditch fabric softener and dryer sheets altogether because they can leave behind a waxy film that can aggravate sensitive skin, and remember to change your sheets — especially the pillowcases — once a week so you’re not sleeping on nasty build-up.
[post_ads]Sure, it’s sexy as hell, but there’s also real science behind this tip: “Your skin produces oil and perspiration while you sleep, and natural fibers like silk or 100 percent cotton will help soak them up,” explains Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist Noëlle S. Sherber, as opposed to “non-breathable, synthetic fabrics that can trap gunk against your skin and clog your pores.” For the best beauty rest, ditch fabric softener and dryer sheets altogether because they can leave behind a waxy film that can aggravate sensitive skin, and remember to change your sheets — especially the pillowcases — once a week so you’re not sleeping on nasty build-up.
2.
Try a skin-care detox.
No, this isn't about loading up on probiotic yogurt or downing green juices. This strategy is all about paring back on products. “I see a lot of patients who are aggressively cocktailing formulas, like using a beta-hydroxy acid-based gel cleanser, followed by an essence with an alpha-hydroxy acid, a vitamin C serum, and then a moisturizer containing various chemical sunscreens,” says Dr. Sherber. “With all that, it’s no surprise their skin is angry!” She recommends scaling back to just the basics (a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF) for a few days, then slowly reincorporating your original products one at a time to pinpoint any irritants. Patch test anything new on your inner arm first to determine if your skin is reactive.
No, this isn't about loading up on probiotic yogurt or downing green juices. This strategy is all about paring back on products. “I see a lot of patients who are aggressively cocktailing formulas, like using a beta-hydroxy acid-based gel cleanser, followed by an essence with an alpha-hydroxy acid, a vitamin C serum, and then a moisturizer containing various chemical sunscreens,” says Dr. Sherber. “With all that, it’s no surprise their skin is angry!” She recommends scaling back to just the basics (a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF) for a few days, then slowly reincorporating your original products one at a time to pinpoint any irritants. Patch test anything new on your inner arm first to determine if your skin is reactive.
3.
Double-cleanse.
Think a one-step wash is enough? Probably not. Dr. Sherber says she often sees redness, inflammation, and clogged pores concentrated around her patients’ noses that stem in part from incomplete cleansing. “Thorough cleansing, particularly in the evening after you’ve been exposed to environmental pollutants, sunscreen, and makeup all day, is fundamental to achieving healthy, balanced skin,” she explains. Try an oil-based formula like bareMinerals Oil Obsessed Total Cleansing Oil on dry skin first to dissolve makeup and SPF, followed by a gentle cleanser like bareMinerals Pure Plush Gentle Deep Cleansing Foam to sweep away oil and grime. An extra payoff: Your clean skin will absorb moisturizers or anything else you put on top better dirty skin will. “When you have a clean slate with no residue, everything else sinks in more efficiently,” she says.
Think a one-step wash is enough? Probably not. Dr. Sherber says she often sees redness, inflammation, and clogged pores concentrated around her patients’ noses that stem in part from incomplete cleansing. “Thorough cleansing, particularly in the evening after you’ve been exposed to environmental pollutants, sunscreen, and makeup all day, is fundamental to achieving healthy, balanced skin,” she explains. Try an oil-based formula like bareMinerals Oil Obsessed Total Cleansing Oil on dry skin first to dissolve makeup and SPF, followed by a gentle cleanser like bareMinerals Pure Plush Gentle Deep Cleansing Foam to sweep away oil and grime. An extra payoff: Your clean skin will absorb moisturizers or anything else you put on top better dirty skin will. “When you have a clean slate with no residue, everything else sinks in more efficiently,” she says.
4.
Add a serum to your routine.
To get the most from your skin-care benefits, bump up your regimen by applying a serum under your moisturizer. Try BareMinerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion. It’s lightweight and sinks in like a dream, plus, it’s packed with mineral-rich herbs from Okinawa, Japan (where people don't look a day over 18!), to boost your ~glow~ and stave off wrinkles.
To get the most from your skin-care benefits, bump up your regimen by applying a serum under your moisturizer. Try BareMinerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion. It’s lightweight and sinks in like a dream, plus, it’s packed with mineral-rich herbs from Okinawa, Japan (where people don't look a day over 18!), to boost your ~glow~ and stave off wrinkles.
5.
Skip the scented stuff.
If you’re in the sensitive-skin club, synthetic fragrances should be at the top of your no-fly list, says Dr. Sherber, as they’re one of “the more common culprits for reactions.” Also, steer clear of anything lavender-infused: Despite its reputation as a natural soother, “this essential oil can be an allergen,” she says. Two more ingredients to beware of: oxybenzone and avobenzone found in chemical sunscreens, which have been shown to cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people, says Dr. Sherber. Opt for physical blockers such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide instead.
If you’re in the sensitive-skin club, synthetic fragrances should be at the top of your no-fly list, says Dr. Sherber, as they’re one of “the more common culprits for reactions.” Also, steer clear of anything lavender-infused: Despite its reputation as a natural soother, “this essential oil can be an allergen,” she says. Two more ingredients to beware of: oxybenzone and avobenzone found in chemical sunscreens, which have been shown to cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people, says Dr. Sherber. Opt for physical blockers such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide instead.
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6.
6.
Lighten up on your spot treatment.
Great news for acne-prone sensitive skin sufferers everywhere: “Studies have shown that 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide works as well as 5 or even 10 percent formulas at clearing angry pimples, but causes less irritation,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. For the best results, dab a hydrocortisone cream on spots first to tackle redness and swelling, followed by a super-thin layer of a 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide gel to kill bacteria.
Great news for acne-prone sensitive skin sufferers everywhere: “Studies have shown that 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide works as well as 5 or even 10 percent formulas at clearing angry pimples, but causes less irritation,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. For the best results, dab a hydrocortisone cream on spots first to tackle redness and swelling, followed by a super-thin layer of a 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide gel to kill bacteria.
7.
Choose the right retinoid.
The key to getting the wrinkle-fighter to work its magic without turning your face beet red is to pick a formula with a low-strength version of retinol, says Dr. Zeichner. That means looking for over-the-counter options with retinyl retinoate, the gentlest member of the retinol family. Ease in by using a pea-size amount once a week, then bump up to every other night as your skin adjusts. Another way to beat the burn? Moisturize before applying your retinol. “Studies have shown that moisturizing first does not interfere with the absorption of retinoids and can make them more tolerable,” explains Dr. Zeichner.
The key to getting the wrinkle-fighter to work its magic without turning your face beet red is to pick a formula with a low-strength version of retinol, says Dr. Zeichner. That means looking for over-the-counter options with retinyl retinoate, the gentlest member of the retinol family. Ease in by using a pea-size amount once a week, then bump up to every other night as your skin adjusts. Another way to beat the burn? Moisturize before applying your retinol. “Studies have shown that moisturizing first does not interfere with the absorption of retinoids and can make them more tolerable,” explains Dr. Zeichner.
8.
Swap gritty scrubs for AHAs.
The thing about physical exfoliators is that they make “microscopic scratches in the skin that can irritate and impair barrier function,” says Dr. Sherber. When your barrier function’s out of whack, skin’s more prone to throwing a tantrum in the form of weird blotches and snake-level shedding. Play it safe by applying a gentle alpha hydroxy acid formula like RéVive Glycolic Renewal Peel Duo no more than two times a week — and only on the nights you’re not using retinol.
The thing about physical exfoliators is that they make “microscopic scratches in the skin that can irritate and impair barrier function,” says Dr. Sherber. When your barrier function’s out of whack, skin’s more prone to throwing a tantrum in the form of weird blotches and snake-level shedding. Play it safe by applying a gentle alpha hydroxy acid formula like RéVive Glycolic Renewal Peel Duo no more than two times a week — and only on the nights you’re not using retinol.
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