Sensitive skin is often referred to as a skin type, but it is really a skin condition.
Delicate skin is often red, blotchy and lacks radiance; and to make things even more complicated it can be both oily and dry with break-outs and clogged pores. Sensitive skin is often fair and translucent with blood vessels that run close to the surface. The delicate constitution can react not only to sun, extreme weather conditions and stress but also to what you eat or what you use on it.
It is a tricky type to care for as it is often mistaken for oily or break-out prone skin and treated with harsh products that strip the skin of its natural oils. If it is treated solely as dry skin, the active ingredients in some products can heighten sensitivity.
When washing your face, use lukewarm water that is neither too hot nor too cold and apply a mild cleanser.
Here are our top picks.
Peter Thomas Roth Chamomile Cleansing Lotion
A gentle herbal product with soothing chamomile extracts, this non-drying cleanser gently removes pollutants and make-up leaving skin feeling silky soft and smooth.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser
A fragrance and surfactant-free cleanser that hydrates and soothes. It is said to remove waterproof make-up, but you might need something more potent for waterproof mascara.
Avène Extremely Gentle Cleanser
The name speaks for itself. A specially developed formula with few ingredients, which is recommended for sensitive skin, this product is free from paraben, fragrance and colouring agents. © Cover Media
