Changes in temperature, exposure to wind and sun, use of inappropriate cosmetic products… Sensitive skin tends to react excessively to a variety of everyday influences. As a result, this skin type is often affected by red patches and signs of discomfort such as sensations of tugging or heat. It needs special care.
Dry skin and sensitive skin: what is the difference?
Dry skin lacks lipids and nutrition and this makes it susceptible to rough patches and other constant sensations of discomfort.
Sensitive skin, on the other hand, reacts excessively to certain influences, such as cold, hard water or even stress. Sensitive skin can be a temporary condition that flares up only from time to time. For example, some people find their skin is sensitive in winter but not particularly so the rest of the year, and dry skin may be sensitive or not.
Sensitive skin is therefore fragile and needs special care and a tailored response.
10 commandments to nurture your sensitive skin
To care for sensitive skin every day and keep it feeling comfortable, follow a tailored care routine and adopt a few good habits:
- Choose gentle make-up removers and cleaners to avoid stressing your skin and causing redness. Opt for an oil make-up remover to remove all traces of make-up and other impurities while feeling soft and comfortable on your skin. In general, choose gentle, non-rinse make-up removers and cleansers such as oils, milks and micellar water. Look for products you can apply directly with your fingertips too, to avoid rubbing with cotton pads.
- Who doesn’t enjoy a long hot comforting shower on a winter evening? But be careful, very hot water can alter the hydrolipidic film that protects your skin from external aggressions and keeps it feeling comfortable. Watch out for redness and tugging sensations! Use lukewarm water instead to preserve your skin’s lipids.3. A build up of limescale on your skin after a shower can also make it feel uncomfortable and cause sensations of tugging. To counteract this, use a gentle product such as a toning lotion on your face or a floral water to remove any residual limescale. Then apply your usual care products for super-soft skin.4. Opt for grain-free scrubs with a biological action rather than exfoliating particles that could be abrasive on sensitive skin and create red patches. And make you don’t overuse exfoliating products as this could weaken the skin barrier: no more than one or two applications a week!
5. A good habit after an exfoliating scrub: a moisturising mask! Apply once or twice a week to infuse your skin with moisture and prevent tugging sensations. Laboratoire NUXE has formulated a special 48-hr Moisture SOS Rescue Mask for dehydrated skin.
6. Moisturise your skin every day to maintain its water reserves, choosing a relatively rich texture for extra comfort and softness. As well as ensuring good hydration, apply products specifically designed for sensitive skin to soothe any sensations of discomfort, such as the Rêve de miel® Ultra-Comforting Face Cream – Day or the Crème fraîche® de Beauté Moisturising Rich Cream, both formulated specially by our laboratory for sensitive skin. Good hydration starts on the inside, so drink 1.5 litres of water every day. Your skin will thank you!
7. Avoid over-cleansing your skin as this could alter its surface lipids and make it feel uncomfortable. For example, cleanse with water once a day and then use a floral water in the morning to remove impurities that have accumulated overnight without stressing your skin again by deep cleansing with water.
8. In general, sensitive skin is more susceptible to redness than other skin types. This is particularly true in winter when temperatures fall and the weather turns colder. To minimise the effects on your skin, try to avoid sudden changes in temperature.
9. To avoid irritating your skin, swap synthetic clothing and materials such as polyester or acrylic for smooth, supple materials like cotton, linen, silk or hemp with thin and breathable fibres.
10. Finally, when you’re out in the sun, always protect your skin with an appropriate SPF (10, 20, 30 or 50), depending on your skin type (fair, medium or dark phototype) and the sun conditions (low, moderate or intense).
And in general, as well as these good habits, listen to your skin every day to identify the influences that trigger excessive reactions and avoid them as far as possible to keep your skin looking beautiful!