IHD - Beautiful Skin 101
by John Russell
Most women shy away from being called “too sensitive.” But when the
subject is skin, they’re all too willing to wear the scarlet S. According to the
American Academy of Dermatology, at least 40% of women believe they have
sensitive skin, although most dermatologists report that only a fraction really
do.
Sensitivity – defined as skin that’s prone to irritation from products,
weather, or stress – is a real (albeit misunderstood) condition. It’s not the
same as an allergy. It means you have a lower tolerance for irritating
ingredients, such as fragrances and dyes. The evil twist here is that the more
skin reacts, the more sensitive it becomes. Imagine normal skin having a natural
barrier like Saran Wrap. People with sensitive skin have a disrupted barrier all
the time. But by identifying what disrupts that barrier and protecting it with
the right moisturizer, you can develop a thicker skin.
1. Read Labels – Before applying creams, lotions, or makeup, read the
ingredients list. The fewer ingredients on the label, the better. All products
and formulas should be free of fragrance, dye, and isopropyl alcohol (commonly
known as rubbing alcohol). And beware of botanical ingredients and oils. Test
each new product on the side of your neck for a few days before using it on your
face.
2. Cleanse – Wash you face with a milky, non-foaming liquid cleanser or a
soap-free bar. Do not use a washcloth or any rough scrubber, which can be too
abrasive for sensitive skin. Rinse face well by splashing with lukewarm water
and pat with a soft towel, leaving skin slightly damp. There is no need to use a
toner, which generally contains drying and irritating isopropyl alcohol.
3. Moisturize – Dab moisturizer onto damp skin in the morning and night. Look
for one that contains ceramides, fatty acids, or cholesterol, all of which help
form a protective barrier against irritation. In the morning, when the
moisturizer is absorbed, apply a sunscreen (with an SPF 15 or higher). It should
also contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are least likely to cause
reactions.
Cheat Sheet
1. Choose the right products. “Allergy-tested” means it doesn’t have ingredients
that cause common reactions. “Noncomedogenic” means it won’t clog pores.
2. Read
labels. Not everyone with sensitive skin is troubled by the same thing, but the
most common irritants, in order, include fragrance, isopropyl alcohol, dyes, PABA, lanolin, sorbic acid, formaldehyde, and benzoic acid.
3. Don’t assume that
natural products are safe. Some botanicals (rosemary, sandalwood, arnica) and
essential oils (jojoba, tea tree, lavender) may irritate.
4. Test samples on the
neck for several days. If they don’t irritate you, they’ll probably be fine for
your face.
5. Don’t try an arsenal of new products at once. Similarly, if skin
breaks out, stop using everything, and reintroduce products one by one.
6. Be as
gentle as possible. Use a creamy, liquid cleanser or a soap-free bar and rinse
with lukewarm water. Avoid Buf-Pufs and washcloths. Pat with a towel and leave
skin slightly damp.
7. Moisturize with a product for sensitive skin, or one that
contains fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides.
8. Every day, be sure to apply
a PABA-free sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
Daily Basics
1. Wash with a milky, non-foaming liquid.
2. Use a soap-free formula with
oatmeal that calms dry and itchy skin.
3. For day, use a fragrance-free
moisturizer containing a non-irritating sunscreen. At night, smooth on a non-comedogenic formula that helps fortify the skin’s barrier while you sleep.
4.
Dermatologists say that sensitive-skin sufferers are more likely to avoid using
sunscreens, associating them with past reactions to PABA. Choose one that won’t
aggravate skin.
5. It’s not just what you put on your face. Hair spray can cause
breakouts along the hairline. Use an allergy-tested and keep the hair off the
face whenever possible.
Extra Help
1. To soothe redness, dermatologists recommend using a fragrance-free treatment.
A dime-size dab of an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream also relieves
itching.
2. For dryness on the body, increase resistance to the environment with
a product containing lipids, which is safe for sensitive types.
3. To treat
blemishes, start with an irritant-free face lotion that minimizes blotches with
vitamin A. Follow with a concealer that won’t aggravate acne, which does double
duty by helping clear and conceal blemishes.
4. Dermatologists like products
that get their color from iron oxides, which are less likely to cause reactions.
They’re also talc-free, which means they won’t rob skin of the moisture it
needs.
Tricks of the Trade
1. Don’t’ shower or bathe for more than 20 minutes, or you’ll dry out your skin.
Use lukewarm water.
2. Don’t start any aggressive treatments during the winter,
when skin is dryer and more sensitive because of low humidity and indoor
heating. A humidifier helps skin from becoming parched.
3. Grainy or chemical exfoliants can cause breakouts. Excessive daily scrubbing rubs the sebaceous
glands, which can clog pores. Use a clay or mud mask to slough off dead cells
instead.
4. Facials are trouble unless they’re simple, steam-free, and employ
fragrance-free products.
5. Avoid chemical peels and laser treatments if you’re
sensitive to exfoliants and skin-lightening creams.
6. If acne medications
irritate your skin, ask your doctor about taking oral antibiotics or
birth-control pills, which can help minimize blemishes.
7. Keep Retin-A
treatments to only once a week. Dilute the strength by mixing it with your
moisturizer.
8. For skin that seems provoked by anything and everything, ask you
dermatologist about cleansers and moisturizers that are normally prescribed for
hypersensitive postsurgery and postpeel patients. This article is brought to you
by IH Distribution, LLC.
Bringing you health, anti-aging and skin care products from around the world.
Shop online: www.ihdistribution.com &
www.ihd.myarbonne.com or contact us:
sales@ihdistribution.com
Copyright © IH Distribution LLC 2004
About the author: None
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