Sensitive Skin. The best gentle skincare routine for you

Sensitive skin: The princess & the pea of skin types. For those of you with the most delicate skin, seeking skincare that will not only prevent irritation but soothe and strengthen your skin, is key. We have curated an extensive amount of products to match your exact needs. Read on to find out if you have sensitive skin, what products to avoid, and what products to seek out.

What is Sensitive Skin?

There are five types of skin: normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive. Your skin type depends upon your genetics, but can also change overtime depending on your lifestyle. Sensitive skin is the most fragile skin type, and can be defined as having a lower tolerance to cosmetics and other skincare products.

How Do I Know If My Skin Is Sensitive?

If you’re wondering if you have sensitive skin, ask yourself the following questions:

• Does your skin develop a negative response to certain triggers (harsh outdoor elements, detergents, soaps, fragrances, household products)?
• Do you sunburn easily?
• Do you feel a stinging sensation when you apply too harsh of products?
• Are you prone to breakouts?
• Do you experience redness (red rashes or bumps, flushing, dilated blood vessels)?
• Does your skin frequently feel tight or itchy?
• Do you develop rashes easily when exposed to a trigger?

If you answered yes to one or more of the questions, you may have sensitive skin. Just remember, skin types can be a sort of gray area and there is no list of characteristics for sensitive skin that is set in stone. If you believe this might be your skin type, then keep this in mind when it comes to products such as cosmetics, soaps, perfumes, and anything else that your skin may come in contact with.

Ingredients To Keep In Mind

Something to be aware of are the ingredients in skincare products. Synthetic fragrances, essential oils, sulfates, strong retinols, exfoliating acids, and alcohol are some products to be mindful of as possible triggers. Another thing to keep in mind is a long ingredient list for a skincare product; a shorter list typically implies a simpler, cleaner product.

On the other hand, aloe, oatmeal, rose, and chamomile are a few ingredients that may be helpful in soothing and hydrating skin when used in skincare products.

Everyone with sensitive skin is unique in that some individuals may experience a reaction to a certain ingredient and some may not. The best thing to do is know what you're sensitive to and simply be aware of what’s in your products. It’s important to do a patch test before going full-faced to see if your skin likes a new product you haven’t yet tried. Remember, the most dainty skin type requires the most care and attention.

Soothing, Gentle Products For You

Now it’s time for the fun part: finding the most elegant, luscious products for your sensitive skin.

To start, you can’t have a skincare routine without a facial cleanser, and Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser has a non-drying formula sure to keep your skin hydrated. It’s a bestseller that also doubles as a makeup remover.

The award-winning, luxurious moisturizer, Augustinus Bader The Cream, is the perfect addition to your daily skincare routine. Put this on morning and night to nourish your skin and visibly enhance your complexion.

Pulled straight from their Superkind collection, the Tata Harper Superkind Radiance Mask is creamy and moisturizing, perfect for when your skin’s glow needs to be restored. This collection was formulated specifically for sensitive skin types, so you can’t go wrong.

For sensitive skin, not just any body lotion is going to cut it, but Susanne Kaufmann Restorative Toning Body Cream sure will. With a vegan formula, not only will this beautiful, lightweight cream revive your skin, but it will also increase the skin's metabolism, support collagen production, and tighten the tissue for a noticeable, youthful difference.

Chapstick is, of course, a necessity, and Doctor Rogers RESTORE Healing Balm does it best. This multipurpose balm can also be used to heal dry patches and burns, or even tend post-procedure skin. With vegan and plant based ingredients, it’s mild and soothing on skin.

It can be difficult to find a sunscreen that agrees with your skin, but COOLA Classic Face Organic Sunscreen uses an organic, light, non-greasy formula perfect for putting on under makeup every morning.

If your skin is irritated, Dr. Barbara Sturm Calming Serum might just be your saving grace. This serum has the ability to soothe discomfort and lessen visible symptoms of a reaction.

Lastly, the product everyone uses but rarely takes into account; a pillowcase. Something your skin comes in contact with for hours everyday should be of the highest quality, which is why we recommend Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase. With the highest grade mulberry silk and strict quality guidelines, this silk pillowcase will keep your skin luminous after a night’s sleep. Don’t forget to also regularly wash all of your tools and accessories with a mild laundry detergent.

Some gentle reminders to leave you with: pick products that are right for you, always remember to do a patch test with a new product, and keep your skin as hydrated as possible to maintain your natural glow.