Sunday Edit
x
Sign Up!
  • Beauty
    • Skincare
    • Hair
    • Makeup
    • Nails
  • Wellness
    • Mental Health
    • Health
    • Holistic & Spiritual
    • Love
    • Sex
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Sustainability
    • Culture
    • Fashion
    • Travel
    • Gifts
  • Shop
  • About Us
Your Sensitive Skin Reset Plan
Saverio Marfia/Getty Images

Beauty » Skincare » Beauty Routine

Your Sensitive Skin Reset Plan

Nicole Catanese
Nicole Catanese
June 20, 2019

Go back to basics. You have to stop everything you are using and opt for a super simple cleansing and moisturizing routine, says Deanne Robinson, M.D., a dermatologist in Connecticut.

If your skin needs extra TLC, you may also need to apply a topical over-the-counter or prescription-strength hydrocortisone cream, which acts as an anti-inflammatory. “When the inflammation has subsided in three or four days, it’s time to restart products one at a time,” says New York City dermatologist Neal Schultz, M.D. He recommends introducing them back in for three days at a time then reintroducing the next product when you know the first is not causing a problem.

And now is the time to skip sun exposure. “Obviously the sun can increase your irritation, but while this is going on, you shouldn’t be out in the sun,” says Schultz. “During the rest, the less you apply to your skin the better.” Do not see any relief after two days? “Visit your dermatologist for professional help,” notes New York City dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D.

Sensitive Skin Skincare Must-Haves

A white container with a white lid and blue and silver text.
Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream, $65Sunday Riley

A stellar moisturizer

Robinson swears by a ceramide-based cream to help coat the skin and restore its barrier. “Ceramides are the fatty acids of our skin that help with the barrier function, therefore applying a gentle oil-free, fragrance-free, color-free, ceramide-based moisturizer, is going to be a great emollient,” she notes. “It’s also going to help rebuild that barrier of the skin, which is what your skin needs.”

An illustration of three woman applying a skincare product to their faces in front of a blue water background.
Derek Desierto

Try fragrance-free formulas

“I’m a huge advocate of no fragrance in skincare because it causes a lot of irritation,” says Robinson. However, pros point out that fragrance is different than other ingredients laced into your skincare because unlike overdoing it with zit cream, fragrance can cause a legit allergic reaction, which in turn causes sensitivity (i.e. redness, irritation, etc.). “Fragrance does not irritate, fragrance causes allergic reactions, which causes the skin to be sensitized to it,” explains Schultz. Also, you likely will not see any negative effects immediately. “True allergies take more than one exposure before a rash occur,” adds Zeichner. “You become sensitized with the first exposure, then develop the rash because of the allergic response with future exposures.”

A spray bottle with a pink liquid and golden lid.
Pink Drink, Firming Resurfacing Essence, $48.00Sunday Riley

Less is more

“The reality with all skincare is that less is more — that’s the most important message here,” says Schultz. Robinson also suggests paring down your entire routine. “I’ve seen a lot of women come in and say, ‘I don’t know where to go. My skin is so irritated’ and they’re using 60 products,” she says. This is when a skincare reset is especially crucial. “I’ll get them down to 10 steps or less if possible, but I think it’s hard for people to let go of their routine, even if it’s causing irritation. There’s this conception that if it burns or stings it must mean it’s working, which is absolutely not true.”

And remember, the goal of your skincare routine is to strike a balance in the skin. “If you don’t overdo it, you’re not putting your skin in a bad physiological state,” Schultz adds. “You only have to replenish if you’ve overdone it and you’ve started to get irritated.”

Beauty Skincare Beauty Routine

Your Sunday Edit

bringing only the best to your inbox

Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Most Popular

Could This Flare-Up Be Psoriasis?

Why ‘Confidence’ Is the Word of 2021

8 Zen Bedroom Ideas to Help You Mellow Out at Home

Read More
Everything You Wanted to Ask About Ceramides

Everything You Wanted to Ask About Ceramides

By Macaela Mackenzie
Are Retinol and Acids Safe for the Summer?

Are Retinol and Acids Safe for the Summer?

By Drew Carlos
These Drugstore Sunscreens are Reef-Safe — And Under $50

These Drugstore Sunscreens are Reef-Safe — And Under $50

By Mellanie Perez
Dry Skin Gang: Humid Air is Your Best Friend

Dry Skin Gang: Humid Air is Your Best Friend

By Jessie Quinn
by
  • Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • About Us
  • Terms + Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Contact Us
Bringing only the best to your inbox.
© 2021 Sunday Edit

We use cookies to ensure that you have the best experience on our site. By continuing to use our site, you accept the use of cookies. Learn more here

Privacy Overview
Sunday Edit

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
heart-envelope-email

Your Sunday Edit

bringing only the best to your inbox
No thank you!

Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy