Sensitive Skin

What makes Simple experts in sensitive skin?

The Simple brand was born in the UK in 1960 and was the first to create a soap product with no perfume and no color. This unique positioning was designed to care for even the most sensitive skin, as these ingredients are common causes of skin irritation. This philosophy has been at the heart of the brand for over 50 years, as Simple knows that using only the kindest ingredients pays dividends when it comes to looking and feeling good. Consumers can trust the goodness in Simple products to care for their skin.

Is your skin sensitive?

Sensitive SkinYour skin is a complex organ and the largest on your whole body! The way it looks and feels isn't just affected by genetics and your skincare routine, but also by the way you live your life. If you suffer from sensitive skin, you know it gets irritated easily. It may react to ingredients found in some skincare products, to stress or even your environment.

Some people describe their sensitive skin as changeable, meaning its condition varies from day-to-day and reacts to just about anything. Others say their sensitive skin is just dry and delicate all the time. No matter what, all skin is sensitive in different ways and signs may range from a mild, transient tingling sensation and slight redness, to dryness. Not ideal when you want to look your best, but help is at hand...

Recognizing what is likely to irritate your skin

  This is the most important thing you can do to prevent the reactions that characterize sensitive skin – so make sure that you use products that are gentle on your skin

KEEP IT CLEAN

You need to make sure that you cleanse your face twice daily - It’s important to know that a build up of grime and dirt can cause sensitive skin irritation. To avoid that tight-skin feeling you can get after washing your face, we suggest using a gentle, moisturizing facial wash. Follow this up with a light soothing facial toner - a mild astringent will help to shrink your pores and freshen.

HYDRATION

The next step is to make sure that you apply the right moisturizer. Some moisturizing creams are too rich and heavy for sensitive skin and using the wrong product can lead to blocked pores, skin irritation, and breakouts.
A light, water-based moisturizer applied twice a day after cleansing is ideal.

WEAR SUNSCREEN

The final step to take care of your sensitive skin is applying sunscreen. If your skin is sensitive, it’s more prone to reacting to the harmful effects of the sun. You might find that going out without a decent application of SPF could lead to redness, burning, breakouts, and other damage, even after just a few minutes of exposure. So to be safe, apply a moisturizer with a SPF15 every time you leave the house.

Improve the condition of your sensitive skin, by taking a few extra steps

1.
Keep it simple - It sounds obvious, but the more products you use, the more likely you are to come across an ingredient that triggers a sensitive skin reaction. It only takes one flare up from a new ingredient to make your skin sensitive to it, and that ‘remembered response’ will happen every time your skin is exposed to that ingredient in the future.
smiley
2.
Do a patch test first - If your skin is extremely sensitive, you should always patch test new products on a small area of the skin before using it on larger areas.
3.
New products – Introduce new products to your skin care regime one at a time so you can check for any adverse reactions.
4.
Take your make-up off before you go to bed - No matter how late it is, or how tired you are, you should always cleanse your face before falling asleep. Sensitive skin is extremely vulnerable to irritation. So the longer you leave make-up or dirt on your skin, the more likely you are to have a reaction.
5.
Sensitive skin and your face - If you’re constantly touching your face, you run the risk of transferring dirt, oils, and other chemicals onto your skin. So if your face itches or you need to wipe it, try using a clean tissue or cleansing wipe.
6.
Drink plenty of water - Try to drink one or two liters of water per day. And if you can, get a humidifier to create a more humid, complexion friendly environment at your home or in the office.
7.
Shower after swimming – Rinse your face with fresh water after being in chlorinated, chemical laden swimming pools to prevent any allergic reaction.
8.
Chill out – It sounds easy, but sensitive skin has been blamed on inner angst - flare-ups happen when life isn't going smoothly. If you feel stressed out, find an outlet to relax and calm

Taking care of dry, sensitive skin

But why does dry skin mean sensitive skin? It’s all comes down to your skin barrier not doing its job properly.

Your outer layer of skin – the stratum corneum – is there to protect you. When it becomes dry, it gets weak and doesn’t work as well. That means keeping in moisture is hard, and keeping allergens and other harmful skin chemicals out is even harder. So as your skin becomes drier, the barrier weakens; it gets more sensitive and more prone to dry skin conditions.

Use a moisturizer liberally and frequently - 3 times a day, even every hour if necessary

Apply a moisturizer after bathing while the skin is still moist, to keep even more moisture in

Apply your moisturizer gently in the direction of hair growth. Never rub up and down vigorously, this could trigger itching, block hair follicles or create heat in the skin

Keep using a moisturizer even when your skin has improved, as this will help prevent dry skin from coming back

What can I do?

Healthy skin means skin that’s packed full of moisture and natural oils so that it functions properly as a barrier. So whichever moisturizing treatment you choose, make sure you’re getting the most out of it and using it properly.