Sensitive skin can be hard to care for. You need the right products and skincare routine to help soothe any flare-ups and prevent your skin from getting unhappy. Avoid common irritants, and try these tips to help your skin to look glowy, without irritation.

1. Test every new product. You never know what might upset your skin. When using a new product for the first time, you should do a patch test first on an inconspicuous piece of skin, such as your inner arm or behind your ear. Wait twenty-four hours. Check for signs of redness or irritation. If this test goes well, but you know your skin is hypersensitive, then do a second test on a small patch next to your eye. If nothing happens, you’re safe to use the product. All sensitive skin should be patch tested before you use anything new, especially if you’re learning how to treat rosacea or other skin conditions that can react to products. 

2. Moisturise. Sensitive skin is one of the most vulnerable skin types to the elements. This means it will really benefit from a proper skincare routine. Moisturise both morning and night in order to properly protect your skin from losing water throughout the day. It also helps to keep a healthy barrier between your skin and environmental factors like pollution and the wind. 

3. Read the labels. Knowledge can help you to make better decisions about your skincare. Always read the label to arm yourself with helpful knowledge. You should be looking for products that are free from paraben preservatives and fragrances. These are very common causes of skin irritation. The shorter the ingredient list, the better the product is likely to be for sensitive skin as there’s less in there to irritate you. Aim to use products with ten ingredients or less. The more ingredients a formula has, the stronger the likelihood of a reaction is. 

4. Wash in the right way. Keep your pores clear and get rid of surface debris by washing your face twice a day. Any more is usually going to be too much for sensitive skin. Use a cleanser that is specially made for sensitive skin, but isn’t so gentle that you need to scrub hard to remove any makeup and grime. Be gentle with your skin. After cleansing, blot your face dry, with no rubbing, and apply your moisturiser immediately so you can get the maximum absorption. 

5. Keep it simple. It can be very easy to accidentally overwhelm sensitive skin, so keep your routine simple and minimal. Use products with minimal ingredients, and keep your routine stream-lined. You don’t need a million products. Instead, invest in good quality, gentle cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen. That’s really all you need. 

6. Use an SPF. Skin that is easily irritated can be even more sensitive to the sun than other skin types. You should be wearing an SPF year-round, with an SPF factor of no lower than 30. Look for sunscreens with physical active ingredients, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as these are less likely to cause your skin to have a reaction than chemical sunscreens.