Lifestyle Choices

Truly sensitive skin is rare. A recent study found that while 0 percent of us believe our skin is sensitive, the actual number may be closer to 6 percent. We tend to have fair complexions.

Our skin is pale and thin. We blush purple at the drop of a hat. We burn under a 40-watt bulb. We have allergic reactions to food, pollen, soap, and, of course, to the very products we use to soothe ourselves. Our faces get blotchy and covered in dry, flaky patches. We are particularly susceptible to conditions like rosacea and couperose, in which spidery red capillaries and sometimes small, red, acnelike bumps appear on the surface of the skin. The cause of all this misery? A weak protective lipid barrier. The epidermis contains dead cells and fatty molecules called lipids, which help lock in moisture and protect against pollution, temperature extremes, sun, and other environmental hazards. Any product—scrubs, AHAs, tretinoin (the active ingredient in Retin-A and Renova)— that breaks down the barrier function by helping us exfoliate also runs the risk of making us more sensitive to whatever we put on immediately afterward. Avoid experimenting with a variety of products at once—your skin may have an adverse reaction. Try one product at a time and add others gradually to isolate problems easily.

The world is full of things for us to avoid. Products with fragrance, fruit acids, exfoliating enzymes, irritating vitamins, and plant extracts.

Certain preservatives, like BHA, Quaternium-l5, and Bronopol, might cause problems as well.

CLEANSER.

Very mild lotion or milk cleansers. No stripping gels or drying soaps. Tepid water and nothing abrasive, like scratchy washcloths or scrubs. Products containing chamomile and jojoba can be soothing.

TONERS.

If any, then nonalcoholic toners especially formulated for sensitive skin—look for rosewater, orangewater, or witch hazel.

MOISTURIZER.

Again, hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, with as few ingredients as possible. Remember: the purer the product, the less likely you are to be allergic to it.

EXFOLIATES.

None. Sensitive skin needs to be treated with great care.

MAKEUP.

Hypoallergenic foundations and powders that are fragrance-free. Moisturizing products to counter sensitive skin’s tendency to be dry.

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