Imagine using your just-bought moisturizer and finding your face all red and inflamed the next day. That is all because of the irritant present in that product and its negative reaction to your skin. Not all the products but only a few of its constituents cause such issues.
With our blog post, you’ll be aware of all possible irritants that a person with sensitive skin must refrain from using. You’ll also get a foolproof plan to check whether a product suits your skin. Here are the five topmost things to avoid in skincare for sensitive skin:
1. Alcohol
Many people tend to go for alcohol to deal with their oily skin. While alcohol-based ingredients can temporarily do the trick, they can also cause extreme dryness in the long run. Alcohol can also disrupt the normal functionality of the skin barrier and cause overproduction of the oil.
If the products are using isopropyl, denatured, or SD alcohol, it is in your best interest to avoid them. However, you can use cetyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol, as they aren’t sensitive to your skin.
2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfate is actively used in lather-creating products. Detergents, shampoos, and soaps are filled with sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. Both of these are synthetic chemicals that originate from plant and petroleum sources. These chemicals may not cause problems if they are within a certain quantity in a product.
However, individuals with sensitive skin may experience inflammation and irritation with their long-term use. Besides, sodium laureth sulfate is considered to be comedogenic. Due to its ability to block skin pores, using its products can be a bigger threat for people with acne-prone skin.
3. Abrasive Exfoliants
Exfoliants are necessary to get rid of dead skin cells. However, excessive use of these products can become a problem for sensitive skin individuals. There are two types of exfoliants in the market: physical and chemical.
The real problem is with chemical exfoliants, as they can be highly abrasive. Most of the exfoliants are constituents of lactic acid, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid.
4. Fragrance
Fragrances may seem safe, but they are one of the main culprits of inflammation, irritation, and itchy skin. Therefore, all sensitive skin personnel must encourage the use of fragrance-free products. Always remember to read the constituents guide of a product before you buy it.
That’s how you’ll get an idea about the use of fragrances in it. Besides, unscented products have a different scent to cover up the original smell. That’s why steer clear of such products if you don’t want red itchy skin for the next few weeks.
5. Essential Oils
Essential oils may also be the primary reason for multiple negative skin reactions. These plant-derived oils are used in most moisturizers, shampoos, and soaps. Additionally, they are used as an alternative to fragrance in the products. If you suspect these oils are the sole cause of your skin inflammation, don’t eliminate them.
Try lowering their usage. If you use the products twice a week, make them only once a week and examine the results for a month. Tea tree, citrus oil, mint, and lavender oils are some of the key essential oils you should avoid.
The Best Way To Decipher Skin Irritants!
Before saying goodbye to a product, it is better to ensure that it is actually the reason for your red and itchy skin. The skin patch method is ideal for deciphering skin irritants and choosing better alternatives.
Besides, this method is perfect for testing a new product you just bought. For this method, apply the to-be-tested product on the back of your hand or forearm and leave it for 24 to 48 hours. If you experience any redness, swelling, itching, or pain, that product is not for you.
Conclusion
All the skin irritants discussed above can cause severe problems for people with sensitive skin. That’s why it is necessary to stop using such products and replace them with something natural in the name of skincare for sensitive skin.
Thankfully, there’s a store with all-natural products that will never irritate your sensitive skin but only enhance its health. Skinful Skincare is a tested brand with 25 years of experience designing skin care products.
Its science-backed formulations ensure that the customers get the skin care they deserve. So what are you waiting for? Try one of their products and see for yourself!
