I often get questions via email about products for sensitive skin and what ingredients to avoid. Now even though I get the occasional bouts of sensitivity on my cheeks and flare-ups, I don’t actually have sensitive skin. My skin can take chemical peels, microdermabrasion and heat treatment to a certain extend without any issues at all. I’m not allergic to any particular cosmetic ingredient (touch wood!). I’m not really the person to ask when it comes to sensitive skin.

So I’ve enlisted the help of LeGeeque to write a bit about sensitive skin. She has sensitive skin and even though it’s not very severe, her skin does react to a lot of beauty products, has a strict regime and knows what she can or cannot use. She’s definitely a better person to ask. 🙂

Over to you, LeGeeque!

My journey with sensitive skin began when puberty has long left me. Unlike teenagers with raging hormones getting breakouts, my battle with acne would have been better classified as battle with adult acne! I was about 19 when I first had my acne attack. It was then that after a massive amount of trial-and-error as well as consultations that I learnt about what my skin disagrees with.

My version of sensitive skin is rather simple and straightforward. I get tiny red bumps on my skin the moment something I use my skin does not agree with. If I persist, the red bumps will continue to flare up to be big angry bumps. I’m extremely envious of people who can try a myriad of products and the worst that can happen is, “Oh, it turned my skin oily and my makeup slides off.”

The only way to stop it from getting worse is to completely stop and pare my skincare back to its bare minimal. After cleansing, I use toner, one serum and one moisturiser for nights with added sunscreen for day. Eye cream is non-negotiable and will always be in my routine.

That might seem the regular amount used by most but here’s what I usually use to keep my skin hydrated:

Days:

• Cleanse: A quick wipe with Bioderma Crealine H2O before I hop into the shower.
• Toner: L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Essential Face Water
• Serums: Dr Lewinns’ Line Smoothing Complex S8 Super Hydrator, L’Oreal Youth Code Serum, Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil
• Moisturiser: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Superstructure Cream SPF 30
• Eye cream: Thalgo Revitalising Eye Contour Cream
• Sunscreen: Shiseido Anessa SPF50 (yes, I use this even in winter)

Nights:

• Cleanse: I double cleanse with Shu Uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil, Dermalogica Ultra Calming Cleanser
• Toner: As for day
• Serums: Cosmetic Skin Solutions Vitamin C& E Serum, Clarins Double Serum, Ren Rose O12 Moisture Defense Serum
• Moisturiser: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
• Eye cream: As for day

Some culprits to cause flare-ups:

• AHA
• BHA
• Fragrance
• And anything from the Garnier, Clinique and La Mer range
• Shellfish! – to be fair this is more like rashes and hives on my chest, back and neck. So I avoid them when I can. I still do try and sneak in a couple of oysters sometimes.

Fortunately for me, I am yet to be allergic to any makeup products. I’ve basically used most of anything that catches my fancy and it’s been good so far.

In a way, I stick to what I know works. I rarely stray. When a new skincare product piques my interest, I would approach with a lot of caution. Usually trials with samples or if I dare purchase the product, I’d use it sparingly, slowly easing my skin into it. Any signs of redness, I retreat and put the item onto the back burner.

I realise I’m a lot more fortunate than others when it comes to sensitive skin. As you can see, I use a wide range of products – from departmental store ranges to drugstore ranges. My mantra: If it works, stick with it.

If you have any questions about sensitive skin, just holler!