INFLAMMATION
“A lot of people get sensitive skin by irritating it with the wrong products and potent ingredients that aren’t suited for their skin,” says dermatologist Dr Eleni Yiasemides. “If you don’t have a nice, intact skin barrier, you’re more likely to get irritated by chemicals and [even] things like water temperature.”
One of the first steps is to find a good cleanser that’s gentle and soap-free. Moisture is also important, with a moisturiser helping to “protect, repair and actually serve to improve the barrier of the skin, making it more tolerant to key ingredients,” says Dr Yiasemides.
And the results are fast. “It usually takes one to two weeks to recover” from irritation or allergy, says Dr Yiasemides. “It could be as simple as stopping the irritant.”