Do You Have Sensitive Skin? Here Are 5 Ways to Find Out
These tips will help to create a more efficient skincare routine
It’s a thought that occurs more often than you realise it. How often have you faced a situation where you excitedly break out your new skincare haul—only to find out a few days later that you have a breakout courtesy of the new additions to your skincare routine. Is it an allergy to an ingredient in your expensive new serum? Or do you simply have sensitive skin? And what exactly does that really mean?
Here are 5 ways to find out:
1. Rashes are a common occurrence
You may be attributing the appearance of rashes on your face, arms, and virtually any part of your body to your grimy office or dust-ridden room (which you should really spring clean if you haven’t in a while!), but if it happens every other day, it’s highly likely that you have sensitive skin. The causes can include everything from the climate to the products you use, but the difference is that your skin is a lot less tolerant of anything new that touches it—unlike those with normal skin types.
2. You’re constantly flushed
Singapore is a tropical climate, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if your skin turns red due to the heat. In fact, wearing synthetic, non-breathable clothes in hot, humid weather can cause sweat to be trapped. This in turn causes irritable or itchy bumps to appear on your skin. The difference if you have sensitive skin is that you’re constantly red—whether it’s a few patches or even dilated blood vessels or broken blood capillaries underneath your skin.
3. Can’t stop the itch
Those with sensitive skin will notice a constant tightness and itchiness to their skin. This is further aggravated if you take hot showers or if you’re constantly sitting in a cold and dry office. If this happens to you, be sure to avoid scratching to find short term relief, as this can cause even more irritation and even break the skin if you’re not careful. Speak to a doctor about any medication that you should take.
4. Fragrances are no-no
Fragrances often a contain a concentrated mix of formulas that involve everything from oils to synthetic solvents to help aroma components in your favourite perfume. And while natural perfume (using only natural ingredients) seem like the logical choice, Imelda Burke, founder of Content Beauty & Wellbeing shares with Get the Gloss that natural perfume isn’t a hundred per cent reaction proof as some naturally occurring ingredients can trigger sensitive skin too. It’s best to stay away from fragrances, or go through patch tests (spritz a small amount on a small area of skin) until you truly find what works for you.
5. You have dry skin
Having sensitive skin may mean experiencing a lot of breakouts, blotchy skin and even acne. However, instead of oily skin, you will usually find that you have underlying dryness instead. Use a gentle moisturizer like The Moisturizers Co. Ultra Moisturizing Repair Gel. It contains Calendula, Chamomile, Cucumber and Allantoin - ultra soothing ingredients to calm irritated skin and provide instant relief for dry skin. Its lightweight, clear gel formula feels incredibly soothing on the skin, and is easily absorbed without leaving any residue. The moisturiser is also fragrance-free and helps with anti-aging and fine lines, so you’re getting heaps of benefits with just one product!
Whether you truly have sensitive skin or your skin is just not agreeable to a certain ingredient, it’s best to always seek the advice of a professional before deciding your next course of action. Sometimes, it could be as simple as not overusing a product! If you have a question about our moisturisers and finding the right one for you, be sure to take our Skin Analysis here or drop us a quick message here.
About us: We are Skintelligence, a team focused on a 'skin-first' approach to beauty through artificial intelligence. We match products to you based on your unique skin type and needs. Results are highly accurate and personalized with AI and machine learning. It's fun, convenient, and it works. Try it here.
As featured in Her World, CLEO, FEMALE, Shape, Nuyou, Singapore Women’s Weekly, Daily Vanity, Layers of Skins.