Creams for Sensitive Skin Tips

Finding the right lotions for sensitive skin can be a nightmare. If you are one of the countless people who have sensitive skin, then you know that this condition is no laughing matter. While everyone craves for clear, healthy-looking skin, sensitive skin is just the opposite. It is prone to irritation – redness, blotching, even blistering. Luckily, when properly managed, sensitive skin does behave. Here are some tips on how to choose lotions for sensitive skin.

First, spend time looking at the ingredients. Experts recommend that lotions for sensitive skin should have less than ten ingredients. This may be a challenge in a culture that demands that a single product address multiple problems. Thus, what used to be a simple formulation now contains everything from SPF to cellulite busters to skin whiteners to fragrance. The sunscreen, you can keep. Everything else is unnecessary. Avoid products that contain retinol, salicylic acid or alcohol. The more ingredients a lotion has, the more potential irritants there are for your skin. In looking for the right lotions for sensitive skin, look for something that is fragrance free.

In addition, beware also against lotions for sensitive skin with descriptions that sound yummy: “all natural ingredients” like oatmeal, vanilla, lavender, grapefruit and other botanical ingredients may belong to your plate but not necessarily be good in lotions for sensitive skin. Turn away from any lotion also that has deodorant or anti-bacterial properties. These are not necessary in a lotion and are especially problematic if you have sensitive skin.

Sunscreen must also be kept at SPF 30 in lotions for sensitive skin. This is because formulations with higher SPF have more ingredients. While this may be harmless to someone else, for someone with sensitive skin, this means more ingredients that could possibly gang up the skin. Anyway, SPF 30 is sufficient to deal with sun exposure on a normal day. Use it every day or on days that you stay out in the sun for more than 20 minutes. Also, apply the lotion after you shower, at least 30 minutes before sun exposure. This will maximize your skin’s absorption of the sunscreen, and will enhance the sunscreen’s effectiveness.

When hunting for sunscreen lotions for sensitive skin, remember that there are two kinds of sunscreen: chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens protect your skin by absorbing the sun’s rays, while physical sunscreens do this by blocking the rays. If you have sensitive skin, it might be best to stick to the physical kind of sunscreen, since the chemicals in chemical sunscreen are more likely to irritate your skin. Your clue lies in the ingredients – physical sunscreen mainly consists of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Another tip in looking for the right lotions for sensitive skin is to look for products marked “for sensitive skin” or “hypo-allergenic.” Look for these terms, but be warned that this does not necessarily mean that the products are right for you. Your skin is unique, therefore, what is safe for others to use may not necessarily be safe for your use. There is always a chance that the product may not agree with your skin.

When trying new lotions for sensitive skin, test the product by putting a small amount of it on your wrist. Try to put it on the same spot for 5 days. If a rash occurs, stop using the product. If not, you may continue using it. Be ready to stop usage any time that a rash occurs, even after prolonged usage. You may be tempted to think that your skin is only trying to get used to the lotion. However, continuing to use a product after it causes irritation is not advisable. It may only worsen.

If you feel bad about throwing away the product, give it to a sister or a friend who does not have sensitive skin. If you feel you have wasted money by not using the product, think of how much more money you’re at risk of wasting if you end up having to see a dermatologist just because you insisted on using the wrong product. Besides, there are many other lotions for sensitive skin.

There are also creams for sensitive skin if you prefer a thicker product. However, the added heaviness of creams versus the equivalent lotions for sensitive skin may just be an added irritant to your skin.

Lastly, in choosing lotions for sensitive skin, you might have to leave your sense of adventure at home. While it may sound boring to stick to fragrance-free, mild, and simple formulations with a few ingredients, it may be just the TLC that your sensitive skin needs from you. After all, doesn’t everyone say that beauty has a price? In your case, the price of healthy skin is a combination of advance research, patience, proper care and a little vigilance.