By Lisa Davis
Sensitive skin demands more attention to its care routine than does normal skin. They require skin care products with fewer chemicals, fewer additives, fewer preservatives, and less fragrance. Use of these kinds of products can lower the skin's risk of irritation and allergic reaction. Although it is not always practical to use only natural ingredients for fear of a breakout, it is possible to enjoy a plethora of skin care products while still reducing the risk of suffering irritation or a bad reaction.
Keep in mind that in addition to skin care products, there are several foods and other items that can trigger negative skin reactions. Following are suggestions to avoid these problems:
* Wash your face and hands after coming in contact with irritating materials such as pollen or perfume.
* Keep your home and workplace dust-free.
* Avoid wearing wool and other synthetic fabrics: instead choose cotton garments.
Here are three ways of dealing with sensitive skin:
1. Utilize the dilution method. Eliminating contact with ordinary products is very difficult, if not nearly impossible. However, you can use the dilution method to weaken the effects of harmful dyes and chemicals contained in these products. Following are some suggestions:
* Dilute your shampoo with equal amounts water.
* Use half your normal amount of shampoo with one tablespoon of baking soda added to rinse off waxy buildup left by hair conditioners.
* Adding baking soda to unstained laundry can reduce the needed amount of detergent by up to fifty percent.
2. Treat your skin as gently as you would treat a baby's. Like a baby's skin, sensitive skins need the both the most plain products as well as those that offer maximum protection against irritation.
3. As much as possible, try wearing clothes that are made of natural fabrics. People with sensitive skin are more likely to get an allergic reaction to some fabrics. The major culprits are the dyes and formaldehyde that are in the fabric. Here are some tips to avoid this problem:
* Those who suffer dye allergies should avoid clothes made from spandex, nylon, polyester, or acrylic.
* Avoid wearing tight or fitted clothing.
* Wash new clothes a minimum of two times prior to wear.
About the Author: Lisa Davis contributes articles to several popular Internet magazines, on wellness tips and healthy living topics.
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