Tips to calm and restore sensitive skin

First, look at the cause of the sensitivity

Not every sensitive skin has the same cause. For one person hormones play a part, for another the skin barrier is weakened or stress is affecting the skin’s condition. That is precisely why it is important to look beyond the symptoms and consider what lies beneath them. Skin that has become sensitive through a damaged barrier needs a different approach from skin that is reacting to hormonal changes. In Why is your skin becoming more sensitive? you can read which factors often contribute to sensitive skin.

Choose gentle cleansing

Cleansing remains important, even when your skin is sensitive. At the same time, we see that many skin problems arise because the skin is cleansed too intensively. Products that leave the skin feeling completely “clean” often remove part of its natural protective layer too. A gentle cleanser helps to remove dirt, make-up and excess sebum without drying out the skin. Especially when your skin feels tight soon after cleansing, it is wise to look critically at your cleanser.

Support the skin barrier

A strong skin barrier is the foundation of calm skin. When this protective layer functions well, the skin holds on to moisture better and reacts less readily to external influences. Recovery is therefore often not about tackling symptoms, but about supporting the skin itself. Ingredients such as ceramides, glycerine and niacinamide are widely used because they contribute to a healthy skin barrier. Do you experience redness, flaking or a burning sensation? Then Signs of a disrupted skin barrier can help you to understand better what is happening in your skin.

Hydration often makes a big difference

Many sensitive skins struggle to hold on to moisture. The skin then feels tight and reacts more quickly to everyday triggers. A good hydrating serum can help to support the moisture balance. That does not mean you will see results straight after the first application. It is consistent use that often helps the skin to feel more comfortable. Within a routine for sensitive skin, hydrating serums are therefore used regularly.

Take care with active ingredients

Active ingredients can do a great deal for the skin, but not every sensitive skin is ready for potent ingredients at every moment. Especially when the skin barrier is out of balance, it can be wise to hold back for a while. In our boutiques we regularly meet women who use several active ingredients at once because they want to address skin ageing, pigmentation and dryness all together. On paper that sounds logical. In practice the skin can become overloaded, so that redness and sensitivity actually increase. Recovery is often quicker when calm is created first, and you then look step by step at which active ingredients are well tolerated.

Do not forget SPF

Sensitive skin benefits especially from protection against UV radiation. Sunlight can contribute to redness, irritation and further weakening of the skin barrier. Even when it is cloudy outside, UV rays still reach the skin. Daily protection is therefore an important part of almost every routine for sensitive skin. Good sun protection for the face helps to reduce the skin’s exposure to everyday damage.

What we often see in our boutiques

In our boutiques we regularly speak to women who feel that their skin can suddenly no longer tolerate anything. Products that were pleasant for years suddenly cause redness or a prickling sensation. They often worry that they have become allergic to their skincare. In many cases, the skin has simply become overloaded. Sometimes through stress, sometimes through hormonal changes, and often through a combination of different active ingredients. Once the routine is simplified and the focus shifts to restoring the skin barrier, we often see the skin become calmer again. That does not mean active ingredients can never be used again. It does mean the skin first needs to be strong enough to tolerate them well.

Give your skin time

One of the biggest pitfalls with sensitive skin is impatience. When the skin is red or irritated, you naturally want to see improvement as soon as possible. Yet recovery takes time. The skin renews itself gradually, so it often takes a few weeks before a calm routine shows visible results. Constantly switching products actually makes it harder for the skin to recover. Consistency therefore usually achieves more than continually searching for a new solution.

When a treatment can help

Sometimes the skin needs extra support. Professional facial treatments can help to calm the skin and support its natural ability to recover. For sensitive skin, Natura Bissé Reset Neuro Relax is often chosen. This treatment focuses on comfort, recovery and reducing the visible signs of stress in the skin. During a skin analysis we look at the condition of your skin and which factors may be contributing to the sensitivity. This leads to advice that better suits what your skin actually needs.

Calm skin begins with a strong foundation

The best approach for sensitive skin usually combines gentle care, sufficient hydration, support for the skin barrier and protection against everyday triggers. The simpler and more consistent that foundation is, the greater the chance that the skin will feel comfortable, calm and resilient once more.

Frequently asked questions about sensitive skin

Which ingredients are suitable for sensitive skin?
Ingredients such as ceramides, niacinamide, glycerine and hyaluronic acid are often used to support the skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

Should I stop using active ingredients if my skin is sensitive?
That depends on the cause of the sensitivity. When the skin barrier is disrupted, it can be wise to use fewer active ingredients for a while.

How long does it take for sensitive skin to recover?
That varies from person to person. For many people, the first improvements are visible within a few weeks once the skin is given enough calm.

Can a treatment help with sensitive skin?
Yes. A treatment can help to calm the skin, support the skin barrier and give a better understanding of the cause of the sensitivity.