It can be difficult to find skin care tips that will work for people with sensitive skin. So many skin care products contain irritating chemicals, or even natural ingredients which can cause allergies. With all of these challenges, what is a sensitive person to do?
Two skin care products that most people, even those with sensitive skin are going to want to use are toners and moisturizers. These are some tips on choosing gentle, non-irritating products, or even making your own.
Toner
The cheapest and cleanest product to quickly close your pores after cleansing is just a splash of cold water. While it does work just fine, it doesn't add the extra cleansing properties of a true toner. But how to find one that will soothe sensitive skin?
Look for hypoallergenic products, ideally with no botanical ingredients. Always test first before using all over your face. Even products with the "hypoallergenic" label can irritate skin, because many of them contain chemicals and preservatives that cause skin irritation.
If you can't find one, here are a few ideas to make your own!
Cider vinegar - Dilute natural cider vinegar, about 3 parts water to one part vinegar to make a nice toner for oily skin. It may be too strong, so you can dilute it further if you need to.
Aloe Vera - A very cooling toner can be made with a small amount of aloe Vera gel and pure water. You might need a blender to really get it mixed smoothly.
Lemon - Fresh lemon juice is very astringent, and a little bit in water can make a good toner. Just keep it away from your eyes. The vitamin C is healthy for your skin too.
Green tea - Make one cup of green tea, and let it cool. Splash it on your face for a refreshing touch. The antioxidants in green tea are another healthy addition to this toner. If you make your tea with a tea bag, you can use the bag to apply it to your face. Very handy.
Moisturizers
A good moisturizer regime will keep your skin smooth, soft and elastic while preventing signs of premature aging. Try to find products that are hypoallergenic, and do not contain herbal or botanical compounds which can frequently irritate sensitive skin.
If you want to test a new product, do so on your inner arm or behind your ear, instead of your face. This is a much better place to deal with a rash or outbreak than your face!
Shea butter is a fabulous moisturizer that is very gentle on sensitive skin. Use on its own, or try to find products that have it as an ingredient. Another natural ingredient to look for is cold pressed avocado oil. It might be too oily to use right on your face though, but it's a great body moisturizer.
There are two types of natural oils that are less greasy, and that may be helpful for some sensitive skin. One is jojoba oil, which closely matches the sebum of our skin. I find this works well, but can be irritating to my eyes at times.
