Nearly half of all people say they have sensitive skin, which can cause a feeling of tightness, dryness, itching, burning and redness. Sensitive skin is caused by nerve endings in the top layer of the skin becoming irritated. It is often the result of damage to the skin’s protective barrier – allowing irritants and allergens to penetrate the skin and cause redness and inflammation.
Diving into the world of skincare can be intimidating for anyone — there seems to be an endless list of different kinds of gels and creams and oils, each for a different purpose, condition, and skin type. For people with sensitive skin, skincare can be even more overwhelming.
Have no fear! We’re here to tell you everything you need to know about dealing with sensitive skin: what to do, what not to do, and what ingredients to look for.
While some people are genetically predisposed to sensitive skin, many others are sensitized by their environment and lifestyle. Sensitive skin triggers include:
While sensitive skin can appear anywhere on the body, it is most obvious on the face. It occurs when the skin’s natural barrier function is compromised, causing water loss and allowing penetration of irritants. Symptoms can worsen with exposure to the sun and certain ingredients in cosmetics and cleansers.
Sensitive skin needs a daily regimen of gentle cleansing and moisturizing with ingredients designed to nourish and calm. AVEENO® Colloidal Oatmeal formulations help seal in moisture, soothe and calm sensitive skin, and restore the skin’s moisture barrier. AVEENO® Calming Feverfew® formulations help reduce the appearance of redness and help calm sensitive skin.
Use lukewarm (not hot) water.
Use mild, soap and fragrance-free cleansers that won’t over dry or irritate, compromising your skin’s moisture barrier.
Gently pat skin dry – don’t rub.
Avoid using scrubs and washcloths.
Apply facial and body moisturizers to damp skin (within minutes of taking a bath or shower).
If prescribed by your doctor, apply any special medications first and then liberally apply moisturizer. For some medications, you may be advised to wait 15-20 minutes after applying before applying moisturizer, so be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
Use hats, clothing, and broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreens.
Rid your routine of chemical and environmental irritants in your personal care items, laundry items, household cleaners, furniture, paint, etc.
This means replacing your washcloth and pillowcase more often and tossing out old makeup and cosmetic products. Wash your makeup brushes often and let them air dry.
When you’re trying a new product, always test it on your wrist, arm, or behind the ear first before putting it on your face or more broadly on your body.
As much as you can, avoid common triggers like harsh soaps, alcohols, chemicals and fragrances. Check the labels on your skin care products.
Unless you live in a humid climate, use a humidifier to help your skin stay moisturized.
Stress and sleep are significant lifestyle factors that can affect skin health.
There are medical conditions that can cause sensitive skin symptoms. Rosacea, eczema, and allergic contact dermatitis are commonly mistaken for sensitive skin. Your dermatologist is your best resource to find the cause of your problem and develop a treatment plan to get and keep your skin clear.
Comfort and care for easily irritated skin with specially formulated products that are gentle enough to use every day.
Find comfort for easily irritated skin with these soothing sensitive skin AVEENO® products. These products help relieve your skin and infuse it with nourishment.
Soothe & hydrate sensitive, irritated, dry skin with this gel moisturizer. This fast-absorbing, lightweight gel face cream with nourishing prebiotic oat & calming feverfew moisturizes skin for 24 hours.
Instantly soothe skin and fortify its moisture barrier with this hydrating face serum. Formulated with nourishing triple oat complex and calming feverfew, the facial serum is ideal for sensitive skin.
Gently cleanse & hydrate skin with nourishing oat. This milky cleanser for sensitive skin, contains nourishing oat & calming feverfew to hydrate & preserve skin's moisture barrier.
Help restore & revive dry skin with this oat repairing lotion for sensitive, distressed, delicate skin. This daily lotion helps restore skin's natural moisture barrier to improve its resilience. This Prebiotic Oat Concentrate, Aloe + Pro-Vitamin B5 formula moisturizes to soothe and help heal dry skin.
Cleanse sensitive, delicate, distressed, dry skin with this daily sulfate-free body wash. Antioxidant Oat, Aloe + Pro-Vitamin B5 formula soothes & leaves skin feeling nourished all day long.
Enjoy daily sun protection with the light, silky feel of this broad-spectrum face sunscreen. Made from naturally sourced, 100% mineral active ingredients and with soothing oat, this refreshing, lightweight, and non-greasy sunscreen rubs in effortlessly for soft and healthy-looking skin.
When used as directed with other sun protection measures, decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun.
Enjoy daily sun protection with this ultra-light, non-greasy, broad-spectrum sunscreen. Formulated from naturally sourced, 100% mineral active ingredients and with soothing oat, this sunscreen lotion with SPF 30 glides on skin with a silky, matte finish. Use it to soothe sensitive skin and leave skin feeling soft and healthy-looking.
When used as directed with other sun protection measures, decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun.
Protect your skin, even when you’re on the go. Formulated with naturally sourced zinc oxide and pure oat essence, this daily sunscreen stick provides powerful sun protection against UVA and UVB rays. Fragrance-free and specially designed for sensitive skin, this sunscreen stick can easily be applied with one hand, and glides on skin for clear protection without the mess.
If used as directed with other sun protection measures, decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun.
Travel-friendly sunscreen stick with SPF 50
