YOUR GUIDE TO CLEANSING SENSITIVE SKIN
Beyond simply removing dirt, cleansing plays an important role in balancing and strengthening the skin, and enhancing absorption of other skincare ingredients. For sensitive skin types in particular—skin prone to redness, tightness and discomfort—choosing the right cleanser is crucial. Whether your sensitive skin tends towards dry, normal or combination, learning how to correctly cleanse is the all-important first step towards a soothed and balanced complexion. So, let’s get started.
WHAT IS SENSITIVE SKIN?
Sensitive skin is characterised by heightened sensitivity to products, resulting in skin irritation, redness or tightness. Sensitivities can be triggered by certain ingredients in skincare and cosmetics, as well as household products and environmental aggressors.
WHAT CAUSES SENSITIVE SKIN?
Some sensitive skin types are an inevitable result of naturally or genetically sensitive skin or allergic skin conditions. Skin sensitivity can also occur as a response to excess exposure to environmental aggressors or overuse of skincare products or treatments that strip away the skin’s moisture barrier.
DO I HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN?
If your skin is overly dry or doesn’t respond well to changes in your skincare habits, it’s a good indicator that you have sensitive skin. If you have a dry sensitive skin type, you might find your skin is overly dry or red after using a face cleanser.
It’s useful to know the cause of your sensitive skin, or at least what products trigger it. A good way to rule out irritants is through patch testing different skincare products. You might also benefit from seeing a dermatologist if you can’t identify the triggers.
THE IMPORTANCE OF USING A FACIAL CLEANSER
Ingredients in some cleansers can contribute to skin sensitivity, but it’s important to incorporate cleansing into your skincare routine to prevent buildup of impurities and dead skin cells. These can exacerbate skin sensitivity as it impacts the skin’s natural pH and protective moisture barrier.
Let's delve into what you should know when choosing a face cleanser for sensitive skin.
CLEANSE MORNING & NIGHT
At La Roche-Posay, we recommend using a gentle facial cleanser twice daily, for several reasons. During the day, the skin faces a barrage of aggressors – sun, smoke, pollution – and defence is its main priority. At night, the focus shifts to skin cell renewal. By removing dead skin cells, excess oil and impurities, as well as potentially pore clogging make-up, cleansing before bed helps accelerate this renewal process. Freshly cleansed, the skin is also better able to absorb serums and/or moisturiser.
For sensitive skin, it’s especially important to moisturise at night to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL) that often causes dry skin and irritation. Morning cleansing is also important to slough away dead skin cells that accumulate as the overnight renewal cycle occurs. Cleansing also removes the oils and bacteria transferred from your pillowcase, and increases the efficacy of your daily skincare products.
OPT FOR GENTLE CLEANSERS
Sensitive skin has an impaired moisture barrier function, making it more susceptible to irritation from pollutants and allergens. The right facial cleanser will gently remove these impurities, while avoiding harsh, moisture-stripping ingredients. Not all sensitive skin is the same, however, and it's worth knowing how to identify your skin type in order to choose the right formulation. We recommend the Toleriane Gentle Cream Dermo Cleanser, serving as both a gentle cleanser and makeup remover for very dry, sensitive skin.
AVOID FACE WASH CONTAINING FRAGRANCE AND ALCOHOL
Fragrance and alcohol are notorious for irritating the skin, especially sensitive skin. Always use fragrance-free, alcohol-free cleansers to prevent irritation. For intolerant skin types, the Toleriane range is fragrance free, ethyl alcohol free and paraben free, keeping skincare simple for allergy prone, sensitive skin.
AVOID ABRASIVE EXFOLIANTS
Exfoliating cleansers and facial scrubs strip away the outer layer of dead skin cells, and already sensitive skin might find exfoliants strip away too much of the moisture barrier, leaving the skin exposed and even more sensitive. Avoid physical exfoliants and scrubs and instead look for exfoliating ingredients in your cleansers, like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or LHAs. You should also avoid any harsh rubbing when using face cleansers.
HYDRATE & SOOTHE THE SKIN
Because cleanser can dry out the skin, it's important to find balanced formulas that soothe sensitive skin. Look for cleansers with hydrating and soothing ingredients; formulas with a high water concentration containing ingredients like glycerin and coco betaine can minimise possible redness and irritation. More importantly, make sure to always follow your cleanser with a mosturiser to ensure the skin doesn’t dry out.
SUN PROTECTION
Integral to maintaining your skin’s moisture barrier is sun protection. Exposure to harmful UV rays can trigger and exacerbate sensitive skin, which is why you should always finish your skincare routine with a broad spectrum sunscreen. The Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ is a great lightweight formula for sensitive skin types.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure. Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection so wear protective clothing and seek shade. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, towelling and perspiring in accordance with directions.
CLEANSERS FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
NORMAL-TO-DRY SENSITIVE SKIN
If your sensitive skin is normal to dry, try a gentle cleansing milk. Soap-, fragrance-, and preservative-free, new Toleriane Caring Wash Hydrating Cleanser contains a single, well-tolerated surfactant, coco-betaine, that effectively removes dirt and make-up a without causing dryness or irritation. Meanwhile, four powerful actives are enlisted to soothe and protect the skin. Thermal Spring Water provides antioxidant protection; panthenol is intensely soothing; niacinamide targets the causes of itching and strengthens the skin barrier; and ceramides help preserve skin moisture.
How to use: Using a small amount of the face cleanser, create a lather with wet hands. Gently massage into the face, avoiding the eye area. Rinse and pat dry, without rubbing, using a soft, clean towel.
NORMAL-TO-COMBINATION SENSITIVE SKIN
For normal-to-combination skins that enjoy the fresh sensation of a foaming cleanser, without the usual dryness, Toleriane Foaming Gel Cleanser is ideal. With a skin-balanced pH of 5.5, the cleanser is free from soap, fragrance and preservatives, acting as both a makeup remover and gentle face wash to remove all traces of make-up, oil build-up, and impurities. Glycerin helps maintain the skin's moisture balance, leaving the complexion soft, supple and calm.
How to use: Create a foam in your hands using warm water. Massage into the face, avoiding the eye area. Rinse well and gently pat dry.
DRY-TO-ULTRA SENSITIVE SKIN
Ultra-sensitive, dry skin needs extra care, and a true minimalist formula to cleanse and remove make-up. Enriched with moisturising glycerin, Toleriane Gentle Cream Dermo-Cleanser contains just eight high-tolerance ingredients. Free from fragrance and preservatives, it has a soothing rinse-off or rinse-free milk texture that is gentle enough for even the fragile eye area.
How to use: Pat on the skin with fingers, massaging gently in a circular motion. Carefully wipe off with a cotton pad, without rubbing. Alternatively, rinse off and follow with your moisturiser
FIND YOUR SENSITIVE SKINCARE ROUTINE
Cleansing is just one piece of the puzzle. To ensure balance and avoid irritation in sensitive skin, it’s important to incorporate a consistent skincare regimen that keeps the skin hydrated and protected.
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