It is so important to be mindful of what you’re putting on your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin and don’t wanna irritate it further irritate. Nasty chemicals and synthetic irritants found in some skincare products can weaken your skin’s natural barrier and give you a lot of grief. That is why we compiled a list of seven baddies that you should watch out for when picking products for your sensitive skin. Check them out...
 

1. Alcohol

1. Alcohol

Many toners that claim to give your an instant matte finish often contain alcohol in them. They zap the natural oils out of your skin, leading to itchy, irritated and angry skin. This is worse when dealing with sensitive skin as alcohol can trigger issues like redness and dried-out patches of skin. Therefore, looking for an alcohol-free toner like the Simple Kind To Skin Soothing Facial Toner that does the job without irritating the skin.

 

02. Ammonium lauryl sulfate

SLS free face wash

ALS, SLS and SLES are the ingredients that are responsible for creating lather in face washes. They give you the false sense of being uber cleansing but can cause irritate your sensitive skin. Avoiding them completely will lead to healthier skin. Opt for a cream cleanser like the Simple Kind To Skin Moisturising Facial Wash. It is 100% soap-free and super nourishing for sensitive skin.

 

03. Octinoxate

Sunscreen Octinoxate

Octinoxate, and similar chemicals like avobenzone and oxybenzone, are often used in most sunscreens to filter UVB rays from the sun. While they have little to no effect on normal skin, sensitive skin’s microbiome can really suffer from their presence. Thus, it’s best to pick a physical or mineral sunscreen for your sensitive skin.

 

4. Synthetic fragrance

Synthetic fragrance skincare

Synthetic fragrances' present is lotions, moisturisers and masks can react with sensitive skin causing inflammation and damage to the inner layers of the skin. Fragrances are not essential for the product to work; so, sticking to unscented products is the best bet for sensitive skin.

 

05. Methylisothiazolinone

Methylisothiazolinone skincare

This one might be a mouthful to pronounce, but it also happens to be one of the most common preservatives used in skincare products. The ingredient is known to trigger allergies in sensitive skin and should be avoided at all costs. We recommend doing a label check for this big baddie!

 

6. Synthetic emollients

Synthetic emollients skincare

Synthetic emollients like liquid paraffin and mineral oil clog pores, cause a build-up of bacteria and instead of moisturising your skin from within, just sits on the topmost layer not allowing your skin to breathe. Use products with plant oils like avocado and jojoba for your sensitive skin instead!

 

07. Synthetic dyes

Synthetic dyes free moisturiser

Most skincare manufactures rely on synthetic dyes to add colour to their products. These can wreak havoc on sensitive skin by causing breakouts and rashes. Choose products like the Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser that is free of synthetic dyes and suitable for sensitive skin.

FAQs

1) What kind of fragrances are safe for sensitive skin?

We hate to be the bearer of bad news but both artificial and natural fragrances can be irritating to sensitive skin. Even natural fragrances that are added with the help of essential oils can cause itching and redness in your skin. It can even worsen skin sensitivity in the long run. The best way to choose a safe product for sensitive skin is to avoid fragrance, even dye for that matter, all together. 

2) What are some of the safe emollients that can be used for sensitive skin?

Some of the safe emollients that can be used on sensitive skin are plant oils like avocado and jojoba. You can also safely use products formulated with shea butter and cocoa butter. A good emollient to seek out in your moisturisers is squalene because of its non-irritant and non-allergic nature, making it safe for sensitive skin types. 

3) How to approach sun protection when you have sensitive skin?

Since you cannot rely on chemical sunscreens to protect you from the sun, it is best to use physical or mineral sunscreens instead. Physical sunscreens are formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, they sit on top of your skin and scatter UV radiation to lessen its effects. As such, they do not absorb into your skin to irritate it in any way.