Gentle Facial Treatments for Sensitive Skin | Expert Advice

Like we have a skin-tone, a hair type, a body type, we also have a skin type. It may be dry, normal, oily, combination, or sensitive. Each type of skin comes with its own plus-es and minus-es.

If you have sensitive skin, it generally means you would be more prone to developing an allergy or rash from certain types of products or ingredients. Some causes of skin being sensitive are overly dry skin (the nerve endings on skin lose their protection), skin disorders (like eczema), excessive exposure to environmental pollutants, hormonal disorders, etc.
Cosmetics, food elements, and environment, all tend to play against sensitive skin, if not taken care off. Skin redness, itching, and break-outs can all be very bothersome, and very embarrassing at most times. Finding the right skin-care products for sensitive skin is really a tricky process, since most products fall in the ‘likely to cause breakout’ category for such skin.

Some ways to deal with sensitive skin are:

• Use natural products as far as possible. Natural products are less likely to flare up sensitive skin.
• Consume a healthy diet, with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads. Hot and spicy foods should particularly be avoided, as much as possible.
• Drink lots of water, to keep skin healthy. Hydrated skin is better able to ward off irritations.
• Use a soap-free cleanser, (like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, or Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, or Clean and Clear facial wash) to cleanse your face. Follow it up with a moisturizer meant especially for sensitive skin, like the Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion.
• Avoid using harsh, ready made scrubs.
• Green tea is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Try and get products with green tea extracts. These may soothe the skin.
• Use mineral make-up products only. These will prevent the aggravation of inflammation.
• Avoid touching your skin too many times, or with dirty hands. Avoid pricking/ pressing the inflamed skin.

Some home-made remedies: Suggestions On Facial For Sensitive Skin

• Take some almond oil on cotton pad, and use this to remove make-up. This will not irritate the skin.

• Mix 2 tablespoons of oatmeal, and 2 tablespoons of milk to prepare a gentle exfoliant. Apply it on the face, and with gentle circular motions using the first two fingers, massage the face. Do this for not more than 1-2 minutes. Wash off with cold water. This face pack for sensitive skin shows amazing results.

• Prepare facial masks using seasonally available, fresh fruits. Use strawberries, banana, etc., mixed with honey.

• Cucumber and yoghurt mask can work wonders for sensitive skin. This is a perfect ingredient for a facial for sensitive skin at home.

• Apply fresh aloe-vera gel onto the face to soothe the skin.

• Gently rubbing an ice-cube over the face can soothe and calm the skin, and also acts as a mild toner for such skin.

Tips:

• Do not forget to consult your dermatologist, if you have sensitive skin.

• Use natural and herbal remedies with caution. Always perform a patch test behind your ear to see if the product will cause any inflammation or not.