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Three Easy Steps to Calmer Skin

Most women will tell you that they have sensitive skin, but
what most of us call sensitive is actually irritable. While
the difference in terminology might not seem like a big deal,
the right treatment depends on the right diagnosis. While
only a very small percentage of women suffer from truly
sensitive skin, a skin condition that frequently burns,
itches and turns red, the more common condition that most of
us face is occasional irritation or increased sensitivity.
Whereas sensitive skin is sensitive regardless of
environmental conditions, irritation can be rooted in a
variety of factors.

If your skin has become inflamed or itchy, there are a few
things to do right away. First, temporarily discontinue all
your anti-aging products. The reason these products work so
well is that they usually have some fairly active
ingredients ? glycolic acid, retinol, vitamin C and benzoyl
peroxide to name a few. These alpha hydroxyl acids can either
cause irritation to begin with or contribute to already
inflamed skin. The next preliminary step is to switch to a
mild fragrance-free cleanser. Look for glycerin or dimethicone
on the label and be sure it actually says ?fragrance-free.?
Products that are ?unscented? still contain a fragrance used
to mask the other odors.

With these preliminary measures in place, here are three steps
to take to get your inflamed skin under control:

Cleanse

Using a fragrance- and soap-free cleanser, gently wash your
face. If your skin is combination to oily, use a cleanser with
a milky consistency. For dry skin, use a creamy formula. Avoid
using any kind of buffer or washcloth ? your hands will
provide more than enough scrubbing action. Rinse with lukewarm
water (hot water can be too harsh and further irritate your
skin) and blot gently with a soft towel. Skip the toner; even
fragrance- and alcohol-free products can be too harsh for skin
in this sensitive state.

Protect

Gently apply a fragrance-free moisturizer with broad spectrum
SPF 30 specifically formulated for sensitive skin. If redness
is a problem for you, look for a moisturizer with feverfew,
bisabolol (from chamomile) or licochalcone (from licorice) to
calm your skin. If your favorite moisturizer doesn?t contain a
sunscreen, apply one that includes zinc oxide or titanium
dioxide (neither of which should react with other ingredients)
on top of your moisturizer.

Treat

Apply a treating moisturizer at night to help repair the
damage. Look for one that includes ceramides that will help
repair your skin?s natural barrier. To treat fine lines and
wrinkles, look for a moisturizer that contains kinetin or
peptides ? both gentler anti-aging ingredients than alpha
hydroxyl acids. To treat acne, use a product with salicylic
acid, but limit it to no more than 2 percent.


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