a woman holding half a orange infront of one of her eye

Sensitive Skin

Summer is here and your skin is the first to tolerate the impact of this season, leading to issues like heat rashes, blisters, skin sensitivity, and sunburn. Sensitive skin is the one that suffers the most during this season. The flaming heat in this season makes the sensitive skin cry out for extra protection and care. So, this summer, why not choose some face packs?

Benefits of Face Masks For Sensitive Skin

Including a face mask in your regular skincare regime can be very beneficial for your skin. You cannot get facials done every week and these amazing masks help unclog pores, reduce inflammation, hydrate and brighten them, and boosts skin health. And, on top of all that, they are so easy to apply and use.

Top Benefits of using a face mask

It is a must if you want your serums and lotions to be soaked better by your skin.
It can cause an expansion in the blood vessels in your skin, helping revive blood circulation.
Removes dead skin cells while unclogging pores.
Helps to remove impurities that are below the top layer of the epidermis, removing oil and dirt more properly.
Fights off radical damage and enhances the production of collagen.
Brings hydration to your skin.

Best face masks for sensitive skin

For sensitive, irritated skin, sheets, cream and gel masks, and sleeping masks provide the most benefits.

Peel-off masks, mud or clay and charcoal masks should be avoided as their skin-tightening effects can provoke the symptoms of sensitive skin.

Face Masks for Dry, Sensitive Skin

The best masks for dry and sensitive skin are hydrating gel, cream or sheet masks.

A hydrating mask improves the skin’s natural protective shield with active ingredients that draw in or lock the moisture, and boost cellular growth to restore the top layer of skin.

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it attracts moisture to the skin. Applied topically, it can help the skin to retain water and have a plumper look.

Ceramides

Ceramides are a kind of fat found in the skin’s natural shield that helps the skin retain moisture and protect it from environmental attackers. Insufficient stores of ceramides indicate that the shield is compromised.

Applying ceramides topically can help to restore the skin barrier’s health. One study found that skin hydration was remarkably increased after regular usage of a product containing ceramides.

Plant oils and butters

Shea butter, jojoba oil and olive oil are some of the moisturizing plant-based components you can find in a mask for dry skin. These oils imitate the oils naturally found in the skin to seal the moisture without clogging pores.

Vitamin C

Skin-brightening Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which protects the skin from environmental free radicals. It also enhances collagen production to reduce fine lines and keep the skin healthy and glowing.

Face Masks for Sensitive, Acne-Prone Skin

Sensitivity can arise in any skin type. Treating acne in sensitive skin can strike a difficulty as most typical anti-acne ingredients can cause redness and irritation.

If your skin can handle them, use these ingredients only once or twice a week, and in formulas that incorporate hydrators such as glycerin, aloe vera, or vitamin E.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is anti-inflammatory and lipophilic, meaning it sticks to the oil in your skin to break up clogged pores. This can be drying to the skin, so use this ingredient cautiously and moisturize well after use.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is lighter on the skin than benzoyl peroxide—a common acne treatment—while providing antibacterial advantages. It too is quite drying, and usually used as a spot treatment – not on your full face.

Tips for Using Masks on Sensitive Skin

Before using any new mask or any skincare product, do a patch-test on a small area of skin and wait for 24 hours. If your skin doesn’t show any side effects, the product is safe for use.

To apply a mask, first, thoroughly cleanse your face with a face wash for sensitive skin. Determine whether the mask is made for use on dry or damp skin, and get your skin ready accordingly.

Apply the face mask over the entire face, avoiding the eye area.

Remove with warm water, remember not to scrub at your skin. Finish by applying your habitual moisturizer.

Ingredients to avoid

Various components commonly found in masks are not suitable for sensitive skin and should be avoided.

One of the biggest reasons for skin sensitivity is added fragrance. When choosing a face mask or any other skincare product, make sure it is fragrance-free.

Bentonite and kaolin clay are detoxifying, purifying ingredients mainly used to draw away the oil from the skin.

Menthol, peppermint and eucalyptus are sometimes used to create a cooling sensation in the skin. However, these ingredients are very drying for sensitive skin.

If you have eczema, avoid alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids like glycolic, lactic, citric and salicylic acid. These popular exfoliants will cause further harm to the skin barrier which is already harmed by eczema.

Best Time To Use A Face Mask

The best thing about face masks is that you can use them anytime, anywhere. Some of the best times to apply a face mask are:

Whenever your skin feels greasy and dull
Before any special event
Post-beach time
Post-workout
Post-flight
When you’re stressed

Take Away

Skin sensitivity can be an outcome of chronic skin diseases such as rosacea or eczema, or a condition when skin is irritated by certain skin care products or laundry detergent. Skin becomes sensitive and irritated when its protective shield is compromised.

Face masks help with this sensitivity by offering highly concentrated amounts of active ingredients to soothe signs and symptoms such as dryness and redness while rebuilding the natural protective barrier of the skin.

Sensitive skin can be managed with some trial and error methods as you discover what triggers negative effects on your skin. If you are struggling to develop a skincare regime that does not harm your skin, consult a dermatologist.