Finding the best match for your sensitive skin can be quite troubling because not all ordinary skincare products are suitable for sensitive skin.
Women dealing with sensitive skin can be even more complex as any wrong skincare product could lead to an inflamed skin with redness, irritation, itching or breakouts on the face.
It leaves them with limited choice of skincare products to use. They even need to select a suitable face wash for their skin to be used in routine.
The most suitable and appropriate face wash for women with sensitive skin should be able to gently lift the dirt, pollutants and other debris from the face while supporting the skin barrier and preserving natural moisture in the skin.
It should have a mild cleansing which does not strip the moisture barrier of the skin. Women need to look for gentle skin soothing, hydrating ingredients along with gentle cleansing formulas.
Opt for non-irritating formulas. Incorporating such face washes would help in building a safe skin care routine which does not trigger an already compromised skin barrier.
Defining sensitive skin in women
Sensitive skin gets hyper reactive so it is termed as sensitive. The skin gets so hyper reactive as a result of compromised or weakened skin barrier which is not able to protect the skin from irritants.
The skin lacks natural oils which forms the moisture barrier and the acidic mantle is disrupted. Allergens, pollutants, harsh ingredients and weather changes can severely affect the skin as it lacks protective shield and result in skin irritation or inflammation.
Due to this disrupted barrier any bacterial or fungal infection could also occur and result in skin problems. Skin gets more prone to acne breakouts, redness and inflammation.
Why do traditional cleansers not work for sensitive skin?
Traditional cleansing face washes are often formulated with harsh sulphate based surfactants which might help in clearing out the buildup of dirt but they also strip the natural oils from the skin causing excess dryness. The transepidermal water loss increases due to lack of moisture barrier which holds the water.
They are highly alkaline in nature with a pH of 9-10, this pH could disrupt the acidic mantle of the skin and lead to more problems.
Signs your face wash is not suitable for your skin
A face wash might not be suitable for sensitive skin if it causes certain reactions-
- Burning
- Sudden acne breakouts
- Redness
- Tightness
- Flaky skin
- Excessive dryness
- Stinging reaction
- Rebound oil production
What to look for in a suitable face wash?
For sensitive skin in women they need to look for gentle yet effective formulas with following qualities.
- Soap-Free: Look for soap-free or syndet face wash that uses very mild or plant based cleansing agents instead of harsh surfactants that strip the moisture barrier of the skin
- Non-fragrant formulation: Look for a soothing face wash which does not contain any fragrant ingredient as fragrant ingredients could cause allergic reactions or breakouts.
- Sulphate free formulation: Look for a sulphate free formulation which contains other mild surfactants that offer gentle cleansing instead of moisture stripping harsh cleansing.
- Non-comedogenic ingredients: Always look for a suitable formula which does not contain any heavy comedogenic ingredient that clogs the pores.
- Suitable skin-friendly pH: Look for face wash with a suitable pH around 5.5 which aligns with the skin pH to offer a safe cleansing action.
- Low or non-foaming products: Foaming cleansers are usually harsh on the skin and strip the moisture barrier of the skin so look for gentle face wash with less foaming action.
- Cream-based formula: Opt for a cream based face wash which feels smooth on the skin and helps in gently clearing out the skin while supporting the overall barrier repair.
List of ingredients to select
Ceramides:
Natural lipids which are the main barrier supporting ingredients. They help in recovering the barrier by providing lost ceramides to the skin. It helps in gently cleansing the skin while repairing the moisture barrier.
Centella asiatica:
A potent skin soothing ingredient working beneficially for sensitive skin as it helps in reducing the irritation and redness from the skin.
Amphoteric surfactants:
Help in gently clearing the skin and lift off the impurities from the surface while keeping the barrier intact.
Oatmeal:
Works well for gently cleansing the skin while helping to soothe the skin and reduce signs of irritation from the skin mainly.
Niacinamide:
An oil regulating ingredient which helps in gentle cleansing. It mainly helps in supporting the barrier repair and helps in soothing the skin as well.
Hyaluronic acid:
They are humectants which help in holding water molecules by attracting water from the outside to the skin and helps make skin look plump and hydrated to fight dryness in sensitive skin.
How to safely cleanse sensitive skin?
Women need to build a proper skincare routine around face wash by properly using the best face wash for women.
- Wash hands properly first
- Wash face with water
- Then take some amount of face wash in your hands
- Apply it to your face while massaging softly
- Do not apply too much pressure
- Massage for 60 seconds
- Rinse off with water
- Pat dry with a soft towel
- Apply a suitable moisturizer on the skin
Final thoughts
Women dealing with sensitive skin need a proper balanced and gentle face wash to incorporate in their routine to keep their skin under control and avoid any reactions. They need mild cleansing and skin supporting formula to use in routine. Along with that they need to be cautious while adding any other skincare product as well.