Sensitive skin can be incredibly frustrating and painful to endure. So many people find their way to Simple Body looking for solutions to a lifetime of struggle. One of our favorite things is finding skincare solutions that heal and calm sensitive, irritated skin and change that frustrated, hopeless customer into a life-long Simple Body friend.  

What is Sensitive Skin

Signs and Symptoms

Sensitive skin is a sensory reaction with visible signs triggered by contact with something in the environment (cold, heat, sun, pollution, moisture). Symptoms include redness, flushing, rash, itching, stinging, burning, tingling, dryness, and skin thickening. Other visible signs of sensitive skin include acne, atopic dermatitis (acne, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, psoriasis), pimples, and erythema (red patches caused by irritation of superficial blood capillaries). The primary location is usually on the face but can occur on the forearms, hands, and scalp. 

Causes

Cosmetics, climate changes, and skin barrier impairment are the main factors that contribute to skin hyperreactivity. Also, skin reactions can intensify when specific environmental changes are present, like low temperature, humidity, wind, heat, and sun exposure. Common triggers are fragrances, preservatives, emulsifiers, emollients, UV absorbers, certain foods, latex, and other chemicals. Unfortunately, irritating ingredients in cosmetics are primary triggers, especially if an individual has an altered epidermal barrier.

• Fragrance- 16% of the population has a fragrance sensitivity. If you have signs of sensitive skin, we recommend fragrance-free or unscented products. 
• Preservatives– are the most common cosmetic allergens in most personal care products. These include formaldehyde, parabens, isothiazolinones, thiomersal, and imidazolidinyl urea. 
• Emulsifiers and emollients– Two common allergens found in personal care products and cosmetics are Lanolin (sheep sebum) and Propylene glycol, often used as a solvent, humectant, and emulsifier.  
• UV absorbers– Several products containing UV light filters irritate sensitive skin, like benzophenone 3 and 4. 

Skincare for Sensitive Skin

Simple Body recommendations:

Moisturizers and lotions for dry skin can help maintain and restore skin barrier function and mitigate irritation and reaction. For most people, avoiding common triggers can help prevent reactions. However, skin is unique to each individual, and sometimes even natural ingredients are a problem. Thankfully, the prevalence of botanicals and essential oils in personal care products and cosmetics has increased over the past few years as people become more knowledgeable about harmful chemicals and toxic ingredients. Even though natural ingredients are remarkably better for your health and the environment, it is still possible for people with sensitive skin to react to them, especially essential oils.

So, how can you avoid a significant reaction from a new ingredient? Besides avoiding common triggers, perform a skin patch test on a small, inconspicuous part of your body, like the inside hinge of your elbow (elbow pit). Apply a small amount of product and wait 24- 48 hours to see how your skin responds. If a reaction occurs, wash the area thoroughly. 

Simple Body has several options for people with sensitive skin, and we are happy to answer questions about which products to use for your particular skin challenges. In most circumstances, the routine listed below will work well for individuals with sensitive skin. 

Mild Sensitive Skin

• Morning Routine: Chamomile Foaming Face Wash, Rosewater Toner, Daily Face Cream, and Beauty Balm.
• Evening Routine: Chamomile Foaming Face Wash, Rosewater Toner, Nightly Face Serum, and Pomegranate Oil.
• Exfoliation options: Once a week, use a natural exfoliant like our Pineapple + Papaya Enzyme Mask and a White Kaolin Clay Mask to remineralize and gently exfoliate the skin.

Moderate Sensitive Skin

• Morning Routine: Gentle Baby Wash and Daily Face Cream
• Evening Routine: Gentle Baby Wash  and Pomegranate Oil
• Exfoliation options: Our Facial Cleansing Brush works to gently exfoliate dead skin cells as it removes dirt and oil. 

Other Products:

Moisturizer:

For head-to-toe moisture, our Unscented Body Butter and Unscented Lotion offer hydration and protection to dry skin without essential oils that can be problematic for people with sensitive skin. 

Deodorant:

Natural deodorant containing baking soda can irritate some people. So, Simple Body created Baking Soda Free Deodorants in Unscented, Lavender, Citrus Burst, Himalayan Magic, and Cedar + Clove options. 

Remember, if you have Sensitive Skin and are unsure how to proceed, why not schedule a Skincare Consultation?! Then, we can discuss your current routine and answer any of your skincare questions. Best of all, you’ll be able to try all of our recommendations and learn how to improve the health of your skin (without pressure to buy). The bottom line is we just want to help. So, talk with a Simple Body Skincare expert today! Make an appointment HERE.