Do you find you have sensitive skin? Tips for restoring its balance

Does your skin redden easily, itch, sting, or no longer tolerate products you used to use without any problems? Sometimes, it’s not that your skin has changed, but rather that your skin barrier may be compromised and needs to regain its balance.

Why might your skin be more sensitive?

Autumn brings changes in temperature and humidity, as well as changes to our daily routines, amongst other things. These and other factors, combined with sun exposure accumulated over the summer or an overly intense skincare routine, can contribute to a feeling of sensitivity. The good news is that, with the right care, we can restore our skin’s comfort and keep it protected. The skin acts as a physical barrier against the environment. This barrier is formed by a layer containing oily and water-based components that work to prevent excessive water loss and maintain balance. Factors that can contribute to an imbalance in the skin barrier include:

• Changes in temperature and humidity
• Cumulativesun exposure
• Overly harshcleansing
• Excessiveexfoliation
• Washing with very hot water
• Stress, lack of rest
• Predisposition to dry, sensitive or atopic skin

If our skin changes, our aim will be to restore it; to do this, we’ll simplify our routine and focus on moisturising and protecting the skin barrier.

How to recognise the signs of unbalanced, sensitive skin

When the skin barrier is disrupted, its role as a protective barrier is compromised, meaning the skin loses moisture and becomes more vulnerable to external factors, leading to the following signs:

• Tightness and dryness
• Redness
• Itching, stinging or a burning sensation
• Flaking
• Irritability

Having sensitive skin does not necessarily mean you have a skin condition, but you should monitor the symptoms and track how your skin is respondingby following the correct skincare routine. If there is no improvement or the symptoms worsen, you should see your GP or a dermatologist to determine the cause.

Mistakes in your skincare routine that aggravate sensitivity

When we notice that our skin is more sensitive, we tend to look for quick fixes. But the key lies in finding the right skincare routine and adopting good habits that keep skin sensitivity at bay. Some habits that can aggravate sensitivity include:

• Exfoliating to remove flaking. Flaking is a sign that the skin is irritated, so using physical or chemical exfoliants can make the situation worse.
• Using too many active ingredients at once. Ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide, retinoids or acids can work well in your routine if you don’t use them all at the same time and if you choose the right concentrations and formulations.
• Constantly changing products. If we switch products every so often, we won’t see any results. Furthermore, using several new products at the same time prevents us from understanding how the skin reacts to them.
• Forgetting the moisturising step. Applying moisturising active ingredients is essential for restoring the skin barrier.
• Confusing effective cleansing with tightness. If your skin feels too tight after cleansing, it means you’re not using the right cleanser.

What to look for in products to soothe and protect the skin

When looking for a product for sensitive skin, we should look for one that suits us and our skin’s actual needs; to do this, we should look for:

• Gentle formulas. We should prioritise highly tolerable formulas.
• Moisturising and emollient active ingredients. Moisturising or emollient activeingredients will be your best allies.
• A texture suitable for your skin. Skin can be sensitive whilst still being dry, combination or oily; therefore, choose lighter textures for oily skin and richer ones for dry skin.
• Specific care for the face and body. The thickness of the skin on the face and body differs, and they also have different needs, so specific products for the face and specific products for the body should be used.

A daily routine to restore balance

When your skin is at its most sensitive, opt for a short, consistent and easy-to-maintain routine:
In the morning:

1. Gently cleanse your face, avoiding very hot water and harsh ingredients.
2. Moisturise using ingredients and a texture suitable for your skin.
3. Protect your skin from the sun using a suitable sunscreen with a high SPF that shields against different types of radiation.

In the evening:

1. Cleanse your face to remove any traces of sweat, sebum, make-up, sun cream, cosmetics, etc.
2. Apply a moisturising or soothing product, such as a cream for sensitive skin, to restore the skin’s barrier.

Creams for sensitive skin and other products for your skincare routine

A-Derma Exomega Emollient Cream

A-Derma Exomega Emollient Cream is a moisturiser for sensitive skin suffering from dryness, itching and discomfort. It is particularly suitable for skin prone to atopic conditions.

Thanks to its formula rich in Rhealba Oats, A-Derma Exomega Emollient Cream soothes, nourishes, moisturises and calms the skin.

New A-Derma Exomega facial range

This new range expands the range of specific care products for reactive, atopic-prone skin. Among the new products are items for sensitive facial skin such as Exomega Cleansing Gel, Exoderma Soothing Gel-Cream and Exomega Ultra-Soothing Serum.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Fluid

Thanks to its fluid texture, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Fluid is particularly suitable for oily or combination skin, or for those seeking lightweight textures.

This La Roche-Posay cream for sensitive skin moisturises and soothes irritation and sensitivity, thanks to its formula containing neurosensin, sphingobiome and La Roche-Posay thermal spring water.

Sensitive skin doesn’t have to be in a constant state of discomfort. Identifying what is upsetting its balance, reducing irritants and ensuring proper moisturisation can make all the difference.

Keep your routine simple, avoid using several products at once and see how your skin responds.

And remember: if you notice that a product causes severe stinging, inflammation or a reaction, stop using it and consult a healthcare professional.