Is Natural Skincare Good for Sensitive Skin?

Natural skincare has seen a significant spike in popularity as beauty influencers speak highly of going “all-natural” with their skincare routines. There have also been many new skincare products that incorporate more natural ingredients while shying away from tried-and-true chemical formulations.

While the boom in natural skincare has benefitted many people, those with sensitive skin will still need to be careful of what products they can use. Despite incorporating all-natural active ingredients, some could still cause complications due to allergies or other factors.

Sensitive Skin and You

Sensitive skin is a condition where your skin becomes prone to unpleasant reactions such as redness, itching, flaky patches, and even peeling skin. Certain skincare products or exposure to pollutants in the air can cause your sensitive skin to flare up and cause various adverse symptoms. The result is a great deal of unpleasantness for you.

There are several different causes of sensitive skin.

• Ageing as our skin loses moisture and becomes dry and cracked
• Skin conditions such as dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), acne, and rosacea (redness and swelling around the face and neck)
• Frequent exposure to harmful UV rays
• Chronic health conditions like multiple sclerosis
• Side effects due to certain medications
• Hormonal changes
• Cancer treatment

Studies have also noted that women are at higher risk of sensitive skin, with 50% to 61% of women worldwide having experienced sensitive skin.

There have been many cases where skincare products trigger a person’s sensitive skin due to a reaction to one or more of the product’s active ingredients. Not every woman will have the same triggers as you do, which makes it tricky to find a skincare routine that suits your skin.

Skincare Needs for Sensitive Skin

It can be irritating to get through the day with sensitive skin. It may help you in the long term to adopt these skincare tips to help manage your sensitive skin.

• Know your triggers: Identifying what causes your sensitive skin to trigger is essential. Some common triggers include certain skincare ingredients like fragrances, dyes, and parabens; a lack of sleep and environmental pollutants can also trigger your sensitive skin.
• Choose the right skincare products: Look for non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic skincare products. Avoid those containing sodium lauryl sulfates, petrochemicals, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic dyes, as these can trigger sensitive skin. Natural skincare products tend to tick the right boxes but read the product label first before buying.
• Start slowly: Avoid starting a new skincare regimen without testing each product. You want to narrow down products that could trigger your sensitive skin.
• Have a gentle touch: Avoid scrubbing or applying extra pressure on your face. Be sure to use gentle skincare products to avoid triggers.
• Use moisturiser: Moisturise regularly to keep your skin hydrated at all times.
• Apply sunscreen: Sunscreen can help protect you from harmful UV rays that could cause sunburn. Choose one that is gentle on your skin and is at least SPF 30 for best results.

Simple tips like these can go a long way to ensure you can enjoy your day with minimal difficulty because of your sensitive skin.

Main Benefits of Natural Skincare

Using natural skincare products may give you better results for your skin while minimising - or completely removing - the risk of irritation, rashes or other adverse reactions.

Minimal Chemical Composition

Natural skincare products generally contain fewer chemicals and preservatives that may trigger your sensitive skin. You will find natural skincare products yield better results on your skin with little to no side effects in the process. In place of these ingredients, you have beneficial botanical ingredients that nourish your skin while keeping your skin in healthy shape.

It helps to know the side effects some of these synthetic ingredients can have on your skin:

• Parabens: These synthetic preservatives help prevent bacterial growth, but some studies indicate they can potentially cause complications such as hormonal changes and skin rashes.
• Sulphates: You can find sulphate-based chemicals, like sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES), in various skincare products. Sulphates can irritate your skin or clog pores and cause acne.
• Fillers: Some products may contain filler ingredients to add to their small active ingredient composition. In most cases, these fillers do not affect the product’s efficacy. Some fillers can irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction.

Every skincare product has different effects on people, and results will vary. While most studies indicate that synthetic ingredients are safe, knowing what goes into a product beforehand is good practice.

Gentle, Nourishing Ingredients

Gentle, nourishing ingredients in natural skincare products supply your skin with goodness, including essential minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Some ingredients you will find include:

• Aloe vera: Aloe vera offers many benefits, including having anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It is also known to help improve your skin’s resilience to sunburn.
• Shea butter: Shea butter can hydrate your skin while supplementing it with antioxidant properties. Shea butter is also ideal for sensitive skin as it rarely causes skin allergies while soothing dry, itchy skin.
• Hyaluronic acid: This naturally occurring ingredient improves your skin’s flexibility, thereby reducing lines and wrinkles on your skin. It also helps wounds heal faster while also reducing scarring.
• Tea tree oil: Widely used in treating acne and many other skin conditions, tea tree oil is known for its impressive antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal characteristics.
• Coconut oil: Coconut oil can help manage chronic skin conditions like eczema while providing your skin with hydration and anti-inflammatory protection.

It is crucial to know that not all natural ingredients will impart the same benefits from person to person. If you do not know your sensitive skin triggers, test new natural skincare products on a small, discreet area first. Doing so helps you learn if the product is suitable or otherwise.

Traditional Chinese Medicine as a Natural Skincare Solution

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been practised for thousands of years and has benefitted many people in treating various ailments. From herbal remedies to massage and acupuncture techniques, TCM targets the underlying conditions that cause a person’s ailments. Even TCM has shown optimistic results with skincare needs, combining Eastern techniques with modern Western practices for optimal results.

But how exactly does TCM count as a natural skincare solution? The most notable aspect is how TCM combines various natural herbs to create herbal remedies that help improve one’s overall skin health. Each herb contains many beneficial properties, just like the natural active ingredients in natural skincare products. When combined into an herbal remedy, these ingredients can boost your skin health and reduce the symptoms of sensitive skin.

Unlike natural skincare, however, TCM aims to treat the root cause of your sensitive skin. From TCM’s perspective, an imbalance in your body’s flow of qi, or vital energy, causes you to fall ill. By identifying the source of these imbalances, a TCM practitioner can use the appropriate techniques and prescribe remedies to help you manage your sensitive skin more effectively.

Start Your Natural Skincare Journey with Serene Skinlab

Serene Skinlab has a robust selection of skin-safe products that are gentle on the skin and tailor-made for Singapore’s warm, humid climate. Our products are also free of additives, preservatives, and fragrances. Shop with us today, and let us help you on your beauty journey.