Last week I hosted a Twitter party answering all of your questions about sensitive skin and was shocked, but probably shouldn't have been, about how many of you tuned in and fired away with questions. Sensitive skin affects millions in the US alone and according to the AAD, there are four distinct types — acne, rosacea, burning and stinging, and contact dermatitis (allergies and irritants), but they all share one thing, inflammation. Here are the answers to some of the most popular questions I was asked.
What's the best kind of moisturizer for sensitive skin? What about if I have really dry skin?
While different skincare products will work best for different people, you all want to steer clear of irritants. Check the ingredient list on your products for the following: fragrance, alcohol, dyes and colorants as well as sulfates and acids. They're all knowns to be potential irritants to people with sensitive skin. Try a product like Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15,which is free of irritants, oil free and has the proper UVA/UVB protection you need. Have dry skin? Try POND'S Dry Skin Cream.
How often should I be exfoliating and what kind of exfoliant do you recommend?
Twice a week works, but make sure to choose an exfoliator that's gentle. St. Ives Fresh Skin Invigorating Apricot Scrub, has a cult following and is under $10.
Is the word 'hypoallergenic' just a fluff word? What does it mean?
It's not a fluff word and you definitely want to look for it on the packaging of your products. Hypoallergenic means that the product is less likely to cause any sort of allergic reaction. Research and development teams put formulations through rigorous testing before allowing them to use this claim. For example, Dove's Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar is the #1 body bar and was recommended by dermatologists (great for sensitive skin), and the word hypoallergenic helped it receive that claim.
All of these sensitive skin products are available at Walgreens and they're running two offers right now. Get involved.
- During the month of May, when you buy 2 Unilever sensitive skin products at Walgreens, you’ll receive 2,000 Balance Rewards points! Not a Balance Rewards member? Sign up for free here: bit.ly/WalgreensBalance
- When you head into your local Walgreens and pick up a Sensitive Skin brochure from the beauty counter, you can learn about all these great sensitive skin products as well as helpful tips for using them. Then, get up to $4 worth of coupons to save on all your favorite skin care solutions!
