Not exfoliating may potentially cause more irritations to your skin so here’s 17 Ways How to Exfoliate Sensitive Skin Face. For those who have sensitive skin, you may have to take additional precautions.
Causes of Sensitive Skin
The following are common causes of sensitive skin face:
- Allergy
- Weather
- Temperature
- Damaged skin
- Skin disorders
Effects and Signs of Sensitive Skin
These are some of the signs that indicate you have sensitive skin:
- Flaky skin
- Rashes
- Itchiness
- Redness
- Tight sensation
How to Exfoliate Sensitive Skin Face
Don’t think that you can forget about exfoliating just because your skin is sensitive. You still have to exfoliate to get rid of all those dirty skin cells from piling up! Here’s how to exfoliate your fragile skin:
1. Chemical Exfoliator
Facial scrubs tend to be harsher on sensitive skin. You may want to use a mild chemical exfoliator. There are products with AHAs and BHAs which will help to get rid of dead cells on your face. Remember to do a patch test first as a precaution.
Read more: Effects of Skin Dermabrasion
2. Oil Exfoliator
To use oil as an exfoliator, it must be a cold pressed one. Other than that, it should not contain mineral or baby oil that can clog your pores. Ensure that your skin is not allergic to the oil as well. Oils that are good for the sensitive skin are rosehip, tamanu and almond oil.
3. Use Cloth
With the oil exfoliator, you might want to use a cloth to help with the process. Ensure that the cloth is soft and doesn’t irritate the skin. Do not use muslin cloths because they are too rough for the skin. You may want to try out baby towels as they are gentle.
4. Peel-Off Mask
Peel-off mask can help with exfoliating your face too. They can pull out the dirt buildup in your pores. That will reduce the chances of your face from experiencing extreme irritation. Another good thing about the peel-off mask is that it will also peel away the dead cells.
Also read: Tips to Eliminate Black Spots with Papaya Leaf
5. Konjac Sponge
Konjac sponge is made from the Konjac plant in Asia. The red and the pink Konjac sponge are the best ones for the sensitive face. In case your skin is flaky or you have rosacea, the Konjac sponge could be the answer. It doesn’t inflame your skin when you use it because it is just so gentle.
6. Facial Cleansing Brush
Some facial cleansing brush can be quite pricy but they are worth it. There are ones that are safe to use on sensitive skin. The brush is delicate and gets rid of the bad stuff from the face. Another plus is that it promotes blood flow which helps the skin cells to regenerate.
7. Cream Exfoliator
Most cream exfoliators have small amount of beads in them. The beads act as scrubs that can remove dead skin cells. For sensitive skin, choose a cream exfoliator with natural beads. Pick one that is rich in ingredients that will soothe the skin.
8. Homemade Exfoliator
There’s another great option in exfoliating for sensitive skin. You can make your own exfoliant at home. The most frequently used ingredients that are suitable for the sensitive skin are oatmeal, yogurt and fruits such as strawberries. Don’t use anything too acidic such as lemon.
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9. Avoid Irritants
Stay away from exfoliants with irritants that contain alcohol and fragrance. Those two are the most common things that sensitive skin face find unsuitable. Alcohol might cause dryness to the face. Meanwhile fragrance could cause itchiness and redness.
10. Choose the Right Frequency
How often you exfoliate your skin depends on your personal reference. Some people like do it every day while some may only choose to do it weekly. Pay attention to how your skin reacts. This is how you can determine the right period for exfoliating your skin.
11. Don’t Rub Too Hard
When you’re using a face exfoliator, sometimes you have to rub it. It could be during application or when you’re about to wash it off. The one thing that you have to remember is not rubbing too hard. Do it slowly and gently as to not damage your skin texture.
12. No Tugging
Don’t be dragging the product in a downward motion. This can cause your skin to lose its elasticity. Your sensitive skin won’t like it when you tug too hard. Use circular motion instead which is better for your skin.
See also: Natural Ways to Prevent Sagging Skin
13. Light Pressure
It’s important to remember that pressure can give a huge impact to your sensitive skin. Pressing too hard can irritate it. You’ll make your face red and you may see a couple of pimples to appear. Apply light pressure only. Always be gentle to your face.
14. No Hot Water
You may think that hot water is fine to use on your sensitive skin but it’s not. The heat from the water could be too much. You can either choose between using warm water or cold water. Besides that, you can use the warm water to start and finish by using the cold one.
Find out more: Benefits of Washing Face with Warm Water
15. Eye Area
The eye area is the most sensitive part of the face. It’s very delicate and should be treated with high care. Before you exfoliate using a product, read the instructions and find out whether it’s okay to be used around the eye.
16. Exfoliate at Night
Those who tend to have redness may want to exfoliate at night. It can take hours for the redness to disappear. This will give your skin the chance to rest. At night, you have more time to let your face to calm down and return to its normal state.
17. Moisturise
When you’re done with exfoliating, pamper your skin with lots of hydration. Sensitive skin can turn very dry after exfoliation. Use moisturisers that will make your skin feel supple and loved. Apply lighter amount of moisturiser if your skin is extremely sensitive.
Also read: Bad Effects Dehydration Skin
Things to Consider
If you have tried every method of exfoliating and not pleased with any of the results, make an appointment with a dermatologist. They will help you figure out the best routines that will suit your skin. Other than that, always remember to take good care of your skin when you’re done with exfoliating. Wear sunscreen as extra protection so you don’t cause damage to your skin.
The key to exfoliating sensitive skin is being gentle. Be patient with your skin and find what works for you. Your skin will thank you and you’ll also be happy with the result.