 |
| Pink is better for snuggling up with, but hardly the color from irritation that you want for your skin. |
As one prone to allergies, my complexion can be extra sensitive at times. Sometimes, a new product can cause redness, itchy skin, bumps or tightness. Other times, products that you have used regularly can suddenly cause a reaction. Therefore, if you have been having trouble with an extra sensitive complexion lately, let me pass on some tips as to the reason and what to look for.
Consider your cleansing routine first. Maybe you started a new cleanser or soap that left your face feeling tight and itchy. The reason could be that the product has a harsh oil stripping agent like cocamidopropyl betaine, which is commonly found in foaming cleansers. This particular ingredient for some people can cause the tiniest cracks that are hardly visible on the skin to allow irritants and bacteria easy passage.
Another trigger can be antiaging products, scrubs or peels. Perhaps, you didn’t experience any initial burning, stinging, redness, tightness or itchy skin. As I mentioned, those symptoms can happen at any time regardless of how many times that you successfully used the same product. However, the real problem can be overuse of those products in your attempt to force results. Read product directions and give them time to do their job to avoid this kind of irritation.
Sometimes, I find rotating antiaging products with powerful ingredients like retinol and alpha hydroxy acids with another night cream or serum helpful to minimize irritation. You might want to try this method to see how your complexion feels.
Something else that may have nothing to do with product sensitivity is battling a red face and flushing from rosacea. This type of redness especially on the cheeks and nose could be coming from too much blood to the skin instead of any product. The amount of flushing could be worse after eating hot and spicy foods. You might need to check with your dermatologist to make sure this is not the cause of your irritation.
If after using some products that your complexion is developing tiny, red bumps, this is a common allergy sign that you might want to blame on fragrances, artificial dyes or the preservatives in the product. Try finding new skin care or cleansing products free of those ingredients can be all it takes to eliminate your sensitivity.
Hopefully, the advice that I shared will give you more insight into the likely causes and possible fixes for your skin’s sensitivity.
