Sensitivity is a common skin problem and it involves skin reactions to certain ingredients used in making skincare products.Those suffering from skin sensitivity should make an investigation and create a list of ingredients that need to be avoided. Some ingredients simply do not comply with sensitive skin type.
There are some common indications of sensitive skins like redness, prone to scars and marks, patches on skin, easily sensitised under stressed situations, allergic to certain ingredients to name a few. Certain ingredients should be ideally avoided to lessen skin sensitivity. In short, the skincare products for sensitive skin should be devoid of the following ingredients listed below.
Ingredients to Avoid
Petrochemicals: It is important to note that liquid paraffin and mineral oils derived from petro -chemicals are known as skin irritants. They are extensively used during the winter season to lock the moisture in skin. They create an oily layer on the skin to prevent moisture escape from the skin. However they often block the skin pores making the skin sensitive and pimple prone. Hence they should be thoroughly avoided and instead of such mineral oils otter alternatives should be used to lock skin moisture.
Essential Oils: Essential oils contain allergens and hence it is essential on the part of the user to check the ingredients before applying them. Generally essential oils have strong fragrances and these fragrances can act as skin irritants. Some common allergens are Isoeugenol, Farnesol, Linalool, Citronellol, Benzoyl benzoate, Limonene, Hexyl cinnamal, and Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS): This a common foaming agent used in the soaps, detergents and shampoos. SLS is not recommended as an ingredient for the sensitized skin. According to some skin experts it can upset the protective layer of the oils on the skin layer by making skin extra dry and sensitive.
Colorants: Colors or dyesfall among the top allergens and hence products containing dyes or artificial colors should be avoided for the sensitive skin.
Preservatives: Most of the preservatives are irritants for the skin, so the skincare products containing them should not be used. The chemical that should be primarily avoided in this regard is methylisothiazolinone.
Alcohols: Alcohols are said to have drying effect leaving the skin dry, itchy and sensitive. Many toners and creams contain alcohol in them. Alcohols are potential causes for skin irritation and hence they should be completely avoided.
Reasons for Using Organic Skincare Products for Sensitive Skin
The certified organic skincare products do not contain the following ingredients listed below. These ingredients are harmful for sensitive skin type.
Synthetic Fragrance: Synthetic fragrance is considered as a hormone disrupting agent and it can be highly irritating for the skin. However the certified organic skincare products do not use strong synthetic fragrance and have calming effect on the skin .Thus they are suitable for sensitive skin.
Parabens: Parabens are considered as hormone disrupting agents. They also have the potential to accelerate the aging of skin cells thus leading to acute dryness and wrinkle. They are not recommended ingredients for the organic skincare product.
Synthetic Colorants: Synthetic colors are sources of various allergens and hence the organic skincare products do not contain those.
Petro-chemicals: As discussed before, petrochemicals are also important source of skin irritations and certified organic skincare products being mild and natural do not contain petro-chemicals.
AHAs: Certified organic skincare products hardly contain AHAs which accelerate the skin aging process and deteriorate the sensitivity of the skin.
Propylene glycol: This primary component of glycerine soaps and a major skin irritant.
The organic products are essentially good for sensitive skin as pure organic products do not contain skin irritants like AHAs, parabens, propylene glycol etc. However not all organic products are safe for sensitive skin. Hence it is essential on the part of the user to choose specific brands which are reputed and certified. Ingredients should also be checked thoroughly before the application of the product. Product reviews are helpful in giving the necessary information about the product. Finally it can be said that certified organic skincare products are highly recommended for sensitive skin .To see the best result one should also have a proper lifestyle.