Sensitive skin: how to choose the right facial moisturizer?

Buying a moisturizer for sensitive skin is necessary to take care of your face. This guide explains what differentiates this skin type, the ingredients to avoid and, above all, advice for purchasing suitable skincare products.

What is sensitive skin?

Before looking for a facial moisturizer, remember that sensitive skin tends to react more to external aggressions. It is recognized by signs such as tightness, redness or burning sensations in the event of contact with inappropriate care, among others. Very often, skin sensitivity comes from the following factors:

  • External factors:

Changes in temperature or season, pollution and sunburn are among the most common causes. Some people are also sensitive to certain chemical components of cosmetic treatments.

  • Intrinsic factors:

Skin color, genetics and hormonal variations can also contribute to skin sensitivity.

  • Lifestyle:

Overconsumption of alcohol or a poor diet leads, in some people, to a weakening of the epidermis barrier. The same goes for sport or stress which would also promote skin sensitivity.

Care for sensitive skin: which ingredients to avoid?

Avoid or reduce the use of moisturizers containing components that tend to weaken the skin barrier: denatured alcohol, SD alcohol, for example. Once this barrier is weakened, sensitive skin risks becoming even more irritated by external aggressions and dries out easily.

Creams containing aggressive preservatives should also be avoided. Treatments containing formaldehyde releasers, among others, can promote skin reactions on sensitive skin.

What to look for in a facial moisturizer for sensitive skin?

To choose your facial moisturizer, you must first determine your skin type: oily, dry or combination. Each skin type has specific needs that must be respected. In this context, only favor treatments that mention your skin type while offering protection against external aggressions.

Furthermore, certain ingredients are preferred for taking care of sensitive skin. Among them is aloe vera, a component of natural origin that soothes and hydrates the skin. The same goes for jojoba oil, capable of nourishing, protecting and soothing the skin. Also consider using creams containing purified water which is formulated to quench the skin.

Besides this, it is important to turn to a seller specializing in skin-friendly cosmetics. Likewise, you should always check the list of ingredients in your facial moisturizer to prevent it from containing irritating or allergenic components.