Taking care of sensitive skin can be a pretty tough balancing act. From breakouts, to redness, to itchiness, there is no telling how your skin might react to a new product or factor to your skincare routine. There are, however, common mistakes that people often make when it comes to sensitive skin. (One of them may or may not involve hot water.)
Worried you might be making some of them? Don’t. We break them down for you, and give you some tips on how to love your skin better!
- 1. You don’t drink enough water
- 2. You use scalding hot water to cleanse your skin
- 3. You’re using too harsh cleansers and soaps
- 4. You’re not moisturising your skin with the right products
- A product that works for all skin types? The Topicrem Ultra Moisturising Body Milk
- If you have sensitive and atopic skin… try the Topicrem AD Emollient Balm
- If you have dry and rough patches on your body… try the Topicrem UR10 Anti-Roughness Smoothing Cream
- 5. You don’t do a patch test on your products
- 6. You over-exfoliate your skin
1. You don’t drink enough water
Remember the eight glasses a day rule? Well, that’s a good baseline as any considering how water is key to maintaining optimum skin moisture as well as for delivering essential nutrients to the skin cells. This, hence, makes it of utmost importance to those with sensitive skin.
Not drinking enough can lead to the deterioration of your skin condition or worse, so make it a point to always steal a sip or two throughout the day.
Do this instead: Add some lemon to your water to enjoy additional benefits for your skin. Lemon infused water detoxifies, aids digestion, and is known to help beautify your skin from within. The enhanced taste would also encourage you to drink up more!
2. You use scalding hot water to cleanse your skin
You know how there’s a theory going around, claiming that washing your body with hot water opens up pores, making your cleanser and soap all that much effective in clearing your skin of gunk, clogs, and impurities? Well, we hate to break it to you, but there’s no truth to it.
Yup, in fact: exposing your skin to such an extreme temperature can actually cause irritation, excess dryness, and blood vessel ruptures, all of which are less than ideal when you already have sensitive skin.
Do this instead: Play it safe, and opt for lukewarm water during your cleansing and showers, instead.
3. You’re using too harsh cleansers and soaps
Another common mistake you’re making for when you have sensitive skin? Using too harsh cleansers and soaps filled with sulfates, and fragrances. Doing so strips your skin of its natural oils, causing a reaction or leaving behind tight, impossibly dry skin.
Do this instead: Go for cleansing products and soaps without sulfates and fragrances, of course!. Always try and opt for products that claim to be gentle on the skin, or just make it a point to check the ingredients list to make sure that your cleanser of choice doesn’t have the aforementioned ingredients.
4. You’re not moisturising your skin with the right products
Moisturising is especially important when it comes to sensitive skin types. You require water to be locked in to prevent further dryness, as well as to ease any flaking, itching, or redness that comes with a reaction.
Make sure to moisturise daily using a moisturiser that is suited for your skin type. There may be a ton of moisturisers out there in the market, but finding one that works for you may be a little tricky.
DV Tip: Go for hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested moisturisers that are formulated specially for sensitive skin. There are several on the market right now that are even targeted for sensitive skin concerns, such as atopic skin, or extremely dry skin.
Here are a couple of our top picks to help you love your skin better:
A product that works for all skin types? The Topicrem Ultra Moisturising Body Milk
This baby is suitable for all skin types, with it providing 24hr protection and hydration! Containing moisturising, protector and nourishing agents, the Topicrem Ultra Moisturising Body Milk eliminates all signs of dry skin, leaving you with baby-soft skin after use.
With a non-greasy, non-sticky solution that absorbs quickly into skin as well, it is easy to see how the Topicrem Ultra Moisturising Body Milk has been the number one best seller in France since 2013 (Quintiles IMS).
The Topicrem Ultra Moisturising Body Milk is available at selected Watsons, Guardian and Unity outlets here.
If you have sensitive and atopic skin… try the Topicrem AD Emollient Balm
Suitable for those with eczema and other atopic skin conditions, the Topicrem AD Emollient Balm rapidly penetrates into skin to help restore the hydrolipidic film of your skin. This soothes itching as well as provides relief to dry, irritated skin.
You can also rest easy knowing that this formula is both dermatological and pediatric tested— meaning that it is even safe enough that it can even be used on babies and children.
The Topicrem AD Emollient Balm is available at selected Watsons, Guardian and Unity outlets here.
If you have dry and rough patches on your body… try the Topicrem UR10 Anti-Roughness Smoothing Cream
Dry patches on areas of your body such as your elbows and knees? Opt for the Topicrem UR10 Anti-Roughness Smoothing Cream, which helps smooth away intensely dry patches to reveal smooth, supple skin. Enriched with moisturising ingredients such as Urea and Beeswax, it helps restores your skin’s protective film, nourishing and bringing instant relief to dry, itchy, and sensitive skin.
The Topicrem UR10 Anti-Roughness Smoothing Cream is available at selected Watsons, Guardian and Unity outlets here.
5. You don’t do a patch test on your products
Having a flare up but just can’t quite pinpoint the reason behind it? Well, that may be because you’ve skipped out on doing a patch test before adding a new skincare, body, or cosmetic product to your routine. It’s a relatively simple procedure, and can save you the heartache (and trouble!) of dealing with the fallout behind a reaction or breakout.
Do this instead: Simply put a small amount of the product (definitely not on your face!) on your skin for at least 48 hours to see if it sets off any sort of reaction.
6. You over-exfoliate your skin
Exfoliating may be beneficial in getting rid of dead skin cells, build-ups, and impurities, but overdoing it is detrimental for people with sensitive skin. Not only will it cause further redness, irritation, and drying, but it can even lead to flaking skin or an uncomfortable burning sensation.
Do this instead: As with cleansers, make sure your exfoliator of choice isn’t too harsh either. Avoid anything containing nuts, shells and crystals and opt for chemical exfoliators, like AHA’s instead. Also, never exfoliate more than once a week.
This article is brought to you by Topicrem.
