Sensitive skin has different categories, which include acne, rosacea and burning. Contact dermatitis is also considered part of this classification. All of these different categories make caring for a sensitive skin an audacious task because the slightest changes to the elements its usually exposed can trigger uncomfortable reactions and consequently discomfort to the person in question. While there are certain elements affecting sensitive skin that are beyond your control such as environmental changes, other variables can be controlled to ensure as much comfort as possible with this type of skin.

Things To Avoid

1. Alcohol-Based Skin Products
Many skin products in the market today have alcohol in their formula; whether is used as the main ingredient or as a trace ingredient depends on the function of the skin care product in question. While alcohol has many skin benefits, its effects to those with sensitive skin can be discomforting. It can cause the skin to develop flakes and red patches. In addition, it also has a drying effect on the skin thus its application can strip the skin of essential moisture necessary to keep it supple. For those with sensitive skin, this effect is detrimental and extremely uncomfortable as compared to their counter parts with normal or oily skin.

2. Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
An effective skin care for red blotchy skin should not contain or use this ingredient. Ammonium Lauryl sulfate causes skin irritation and so does sodium Lauryl sulfate. Both of these elements can corrode the proteins and fat in the skin and muscle tissues. In addition, their molecules can also easily penetrate the skin cells thus making the skin open for attack from other toxic chemicals, some of which may very well be contained within their formulas.

3. Fragrance Products
Synthetic fragrances can cause harm to the skin because their scent is imparted through a volatile reaction. This reaction can cause sensitizing to the skin. Unfortunately, fragrance skin care product affect every skin type and are not limited to sensitive skin or those susceptible to redness of the skin. The damage caused by the reactions triggered by fragrances are not noticeable at first but can cumulatively develop to destroy the skin in the long run. It is therefore imperative, for those with sensitive skin, to avoid using fragrances as much as possible.

4. Parabens
Parabens help protect your every day skin care products from attack by microbes, bacteria and fungus. When skin creams are stored in moist and damp environment, which is most cases, is usually the case, they tend to breed microbes and certain types of bacteria which can affect the structural composition of the skin care cream-this eventually affects its quality. To prevent this situation, these skin care products are manufactured with parabens such as Methylparaben and isobutylparaben which protect them from such elements. However, these parabens also affect the skin-they have been linked to skin cancer as well as other types of cancer. It is therefore advisable to avoid their use altogether, if possible. Avoid skin care creams with ingredients containing the ‘-paraben’ name extension.

5. Chemical Sunscreens
Sunscreens exist is two forms-physical and chemical sunscreens. Both types of sunscreens are safe for those with normal, combination or oily skins. However, if you happen to have a sensitive skin, avoid chemical sunscreens because they contain ingredients that can cause allergic reactions to the sensitive skin. The ingredients in question include oxybenzone, octinoxate and avobenzone. On that note, it is therefore advisable to go for physical blocker sunscreens-those that contain titanium oxide, zinc oxide or a combination of both. These ingredients create an invisible barrier on the skin which helps to lock out the UV radiation unlike the chemical method that involves reactions that can affect a sensitive skin.

6. Prolonged Baths
There is no doubt that bathing is an essential part of skin care process but as far as skin care for red blotchy skin is concerned, too much time spend in the water might not be a good thing for those with sensitive skin. It can cause eczema flare-ups. It is therefore recommended to take short baths with lukewarm water as hot baths also irritate the sensitive skin.

Conclusion

Taking care of a sensitive skin is challenging task but an unavoidable one nonetheless particularly for those with this type of skin. Part of the skin treatment process depends on the type of skin care product used on the skin and most importantly, the kind of ingredients it contains and how they affect the sensitive skin. A change in the way you treat the skin on a daily basis is also a determining factor when considering the best alternatives to maintaining and tendering for a sensitive skin.