Sensitive Skincare Routines for Each Skin Type
If you have sensitive skin, you know how difficult it can be to find the right skincare products.
Many products are too harsh and end up causing more irritation than they're worth.
But with a little bit of research, you can find the perfect sensitive skincare routine that'll make your skin glow!
And look on the bright side...
Having sensitive skin means you don't compromise on cheap products with harsh ingredients - that pays dividends long-term, trust us.
Plus you get to do all kinds of fun research on the best methods and products (like the ones in this article) ;)
How is sensitive skin treated?
The first step in any sensitive skincare routine is to identify the cause of your sensitive skin. Once you know what's causing your sensitive skin, you can treat it more effectively. Common causes of sensitive skin include:
- Genetic disposition
- Environmental factors like wind, cold, and sun exposure
- Hormonal changes
- Using harsh skincare products
If you have sensitive skin, you'll need to be extra careful when choosing skincare products.
Opt for gentle, fragrance-free formulas that are designed specifically for sensitive skin.
Avoid using harsh scrubs or exfoliants, as these can further irritate the skin.
Although there is really no such thing as curing sensitive skin, you can control the symptoms by following a sensitive skin care routine that avoids the typical triggers!
What is the best treatment for sensitive skin?
Let's hold up a minute because before we talk about sensitive skin treatment, we need to talk about the different types of sensitive skin. There are four main types:
- Normal (this just means your skin produces a normal amount of oil)
- Dry
- Oily
- Combination
Each type of sensitive skin requires a different type of sensitive skincare routine. For example, if you have dry sensitive skin, you'll need to focus on hydrating and nourishing your skin. If you have oily sensitive skin, you'll need to focus on controlling oil production and keeping your pores clear.
How can I identify my skin type?
If you're not sure what type of sensitive skin you have, don't worry! There are a few simple tests you can do at home to figure it out.
First, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and let it air dry. Once your face is completely dry, take a look in the mirror. If your skin looks tight, flaky, or dull, you probably have dry sensitive skin.
If your skin looks shiny, with large pores, you probably have oily sensitive skin. If your skin looks and feels balanced, neither too dry nor too oily, you probably have normal sensitive skin.
And if your skin is dry in some areas and oily in others, such as the notorious T-zone (which is the forehead, nose, and chin), you have combination sensitive skin!
But no matter what type of skin you have, this one sensitive skincare rule always applies:
LESS IS MORE!
When it comes to sensitive skincare, less is definitely more. That means avoiding harsh cleansers, scrubs, and exfoliants.
It also means using gentle formulas that are free of fragrances, dyes, and other irritants. And last but not least, it means being extra careful when exposing your sensitive skin to the sun!
Now that we've gone over the different types of sensitive skin, let's talk in-depth about a really awesome sensitive skincare routine that you can customize YOUR way, for your skin's unique needs!
Strap in, because we are going to give you all the steps to your morning and night skincare routine...
The Japanese skincare ladder: a secret that sensitive skin needs to know
There's a Japanese skincare technique that those with sensitive skin could TOTES benefit from – it's called the Japanese skincare ladder.
We know "ladder" sounds complex, but basically, it's just using a few different products step-by-step, in the morning and at night, depending on your skin's needs.
And, there are only 4 steps! Easy, right?
Step 1. Gentle cleanser
The first step is to use a gentle cleanser that won't strip your skin of its natural oils. We recommend using a milk or oil-based cleanser, as these are typically the gentlest on sensitive skin. Mostly, AVOID parabens, alcohol, and sulfates, as these can cause irritation.
The reasoning behind this sensitive skincare step is that when you remove dirt, makeup, and pollution from your skin's surface with a gentle cleanser, it helps your skin better absorb the products that come after.
But keep in mind, your skin type factors in greatly here. If you have sensitive skin that's also dry, using an oil-based cleanser will help to add moisture back into your skin as it cleans.
But if you have sensitive skin that's on the oily side, that might leave your skin feeling a bit too greasy post-cleanse.
In this case, we recommend QINUDE Cleansing Gel because it uses silk fibroin from the famous Chiso silk factory (which also makes kimonos!) to help lock in moisture without leaving your skin feeling oily.
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One of our other fave products is the White Ichigo Organic Powder Tech-Wash because it's great for every skin type! It does strip oil, but not to excess, and it's got all-natural ingredients like hydrating fermented rose, honey, papaya and white strawberry extracts.
Did you know that white strawberries have some of the highest antioxidant counts of any food?? That also makes this product when it comes to anti-aging skin care for sensitive skin!
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Step 2. Toner
So, what exactly is toner? If you're not already familiar, toner is a water-based skincare product that's applied after cleansing and before moisturizing.
It helps to remove any residual dirt, that your cleanser may have missed, and it also preps your skin for the next steps in your routine by getting rid of dead skin. So, now your skin will be truly "open"!
But as you may have guessed, you have to be careful about toner when it comes to your sensitive skincare routine. Because if your skin has just been cleaned and toned, and your pores are open, your skin is going to be at its most sensitive!
That's why we recommend using a product that contains natural rejuvenating ingredients, like KYOTO KOMACHI Matcha Beauty Moisture Lotion.
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You might know from the tea that matcha has antioxidants, which help support skin cell turnover. That makes it our #1 choice for anti-aging skin care for sensitive skin!
But what you might not know is that matcha also has anti-inflammatory properties, which help to soothe sensitive skin. And it's hydrating, too – perfect for those with dry sensitive skin!
For those with a more oily or combination skin type, we recommend the Cica Method Mist instead, because it helps fight acne with cica.
Cica is the "Centella Asiatica" plant – an all-natural ingredient that's been used in Japanese skincare for centuries. Did you know that tigers even roll around in cica plants, to help heal their wounds?
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Step 3. Serum
Serums are high-concentration products that are packed with active ingredients to target specific skin issues.
So here's where you can really customize the Japanese beauty ladder, to work for you! Serums are usually naturally a great part of a sensitive skincare routine, as long as you get the right one.
They're almost always water-based and light, so they're gentle on sensitive skin.
But as we always say, it depends on your skin type and what concerns you want to target:
For anti-aging sensitive skincare, we recommend a product like AVEAUTE Booster Face Up Serum because it contains human stem cell extract, as well as raw soluble collagen – powerful ingredients that help to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, by repairing your skin cells at the source! It can even go as far as providing a "mini-facelift" effect!
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This is best for normal skin because it focuses more on cellular regeneration, without any acids, extracts, or oils that would either help moisturize dry skin, or air out oily skin.
For sensitive skincare that targets dry skin specifically, AXXZIA Beauty Force Parime Serum A1 is the way to go! It has the ingredient "sericin," which is literally found in the silk made by silkworms! The 18 essential amino acids found in the silky sericin help your face retain its natural moisture content.
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Because, did you know, a lot of moisturizing isn't about "adding" new moisture to the skin, but instead "sealing" in the moisture that you already have?
That's why products with occlusive ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, are so important for sensitive skincare routines.
Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in our skin – it actually holds 1,000 times its weight in water!
So when it's applied topically, it forms a barrier on your skin to prevent moisture loss. We think HYAKKASO Hyaluronic Acid Serum is another great option for anti-aging skincare for sensitive skin, for that reason.
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Last but not least, a serum for our babes whose faces are a bit more on the oily side (or combination)! We go with Cica Method Booster Serum once again, because remember, the cica plant helps fight acne with its natural (and thus not harsh on sensitive skin) ability to repair and calm skin.
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But, combination skin gals, listen up! This serum is still totally fine for you, too, because it doesn't strip moisture from your skin, either. Cica, like hyaluronic acid, improves the retention of natural moisture on your face. So there's nothing to lose! Literally!
Step 4. SPF
Now, we know what you're thinking – "my sunscreen is terrible for my skin, but I have to use it"!
Well, you're probably using the wrong product, and you know what, you have to think outside the box a little bit! "Sunscreen" doesn't have to mean a thick, pore-clogging cream that makes you feel like you're suffocating your skin.
For sensitive skin care, we recommend sunscreens that are light and airy – like AXXZIA Beauty Force UV Alpha SPF 50+ PA ++++.
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This product is unique in multiple ways. Not only does it deliver powerful sun protection without feeling heavy, but it also contains root phytochemicals.
Phytochemicals are a type of anti-oxidant, often found in colorful fruits that get their color from these natural pigments called phytochemicals.
These phytochemicals work together to help your skin cells repair themselves from damage caused by UV exposure, and they also help to fight the formation of wrinkles and fine lines!
So this sunscreen is actually doing double duty – protecting your sensitive skin from the sun, while also helping to keep it looking young and healthy.
Even better, AXXZIA's SPF doesn't just attack UVA and UVB rays, the way that most sunscreens do.
You see, the problem with most sunscreens is twofold:
- Contain chemicals like oxybenzone that are actually endocrine disruptors (yes, your endocrine system, meaning the sunscreen potentially causes reproductive problems!!) These chemicals are absorbed into your bloodstream when you put on the sunscreen!
- Don't actually offer full sun protection, because they only target the narrow bands of light that are UVA and UVB rays.
The AXXZIA SPF not only fights those rays, but also infrared rays, and blue-light rays! Infrared rays are the ones that cause your skin to feel hot when you're in the sun, and they actually penetrate deeper into your skin than UV rays do.
And blue-light rays are the ones emitted by our phones, computers, and other electronic screens.
These rays can cause premature aging of the skin, not to mention increase your risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. So it's important to have a sensitive skincare routine that includes an SPF that targets these blue-light rays!
Getting the right SPF is probably the most essential part of anti-aging skincare for sensitive skin, and that's why we harp on it so much.
Because part of what causes sensitive skin to become more and more sensitive is environmental damage, and the sun is one of the biggest environmental aggressors!
So wearing a proper SPF is the first step to helping your skin be less sensitive and irritated in the first place. Please, use protection!! ;)
Thanks for reading!
So there you have it – a sensitive skincare routine that is gentle, effective, and will help keep your skin looking young and healthy for years to come!
Remember, sensitive skincare doesn't have to be complicated – just focus on products that are gentle and natural.
And if you still can't find anything that works for you, don't hesitate to reach out to us! We're always happy to help you find the perfect sensitive skincare routine for your unique skin type!
