Home Remedies For Sensitive Skin

You are not alone if you are having problems with your skin. According to various surveys, 50% of women and 38% of men in the UK and US have reported of skin sensitivity.

When exposed to certain products or conditions, a sensitive skin will have symptoms like burns, stinging sensations, redness, itching, peeling, excessive dryness, bumps and scaling. But for you to confirm that you have a sensitive skin, you need a dermatologist to do that for you. The dermatologist will carry out a patch test to check for allergies to any product. The dermatologist will also check for skin conditions like eczema, pustules, skin bumps and excessive dryness of the skin.

Sensitive skin can be as a result of eczema, rosacea, psoriasis or skin irritants. Other contributory factors are; gene, age, gender and exposure to sun, excessive cold or heat. The fact is that extra care and attention are needed when dealing with a sensitive skin. You need to be patient. The following will really help if applied with diligence.

Finding Allergen: People with sensitive skin can easily react to substances contained in some skin care products or even food. So the first thing to do is to keep track of the allergen that your body reacts to. If you cannot find allergens on your own, it’s best to seek the help of a dermatologist. Again, when buying skin products and soaps, avoid products containing alcohol, antibacterial or deodorant ingredients, sodium lauryl sulfate. Choose hypo-allergic products and products free from dyes or fragrances. It’s also advisable to buy products that have lesser number of ingredients.

Carry out a spot test before using a new skin care product (first apply a small quantity at the back of one ear. Then try a small quantity at the eye region the next day). The aim is to check for any reactions. If there is none, you can use the product.

Healthy nutrition: The health of the skin starts from the inside. There are certain foods that can have negative effects on people with sensitive skins (like gluten containing foods like wheat). However, there are quite a number of other foods that will rejuvenate and keep the skin healthy. These foods contain vitamins and antioxidants that are necessary for maintaining a healthy skin. Foods rich in omega 3 fat, vitamins C and E are very vital for the overall health of the skin. Try adding some of these foods to your meal; sweet-potato, garlic, oil fish, papaya, strawberry, tomato, broccoli, almonds, spinach, avocado, oranges, lemon.

Drink sufficient water to keep the skin hydrated. Six to eight glasses of water daily will help the skin.

Sunscreen: Everyone with a sensitive skin needs a sunscreen. Sunscreen protects the skin from the sun’s uv rays that damage the skin. The sunscreen is to be applied every day. Apply sunscreen before getting exposed to the sun (at least between 20 to 30 minutes before going out). Go for a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (spf) of at least 30 or higher. Its ingredient should only be zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. This type of sunscreen deflects the sun’s uv rays instead of absorbing them. In other words, people rarely have allergic reactions with them. Avoid getting exposed to the sun when the uv rays are at the peak (peak period is between 10am and 4pm).

Sunflower seed oil: 

Using sunflower seed oil could be very helpful for people with sensitive skin. The oil helps to preserve the stratum corneum of the skin. Sunflower seed oil contains omega 6 fatty acid which is good for the skin. It also contains vitamins E, A, and C that nourish and protect the skin. You can apply on clean dampened skin before going to bed. Wash off in the morning. Carry out a spot test (apply in small quantity first) before using.

Coconut oil: 

Extra virgin coconut oil is another good oil for sensitive skin. It contains vitamin E which nourishes the skin.  It is rich in saturated fat. And it also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Apply before going to bed and wash off in the morning. Test in small quantity before using.

Important tips

·         Avoid alcohol and smoking.

·         Use mild soap or cleansers

·         Wear clothes made of fine cotton or silk (soft clothes can easily absorb sweat).

·         Exfoliate very often (once every 8 – 14 days). Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin.

·         Visit the National Eczema Association website for products that have been awarded the NEA seal of acceptance. Awarded products are safe for sensitive skin.

You are free to share your experiences with us.