Mastering your Dry and Sensitive skin

The right skincare regimen comes down to the understanding what type of skin you have. Think you’re dealing with dry and sensitive skin? Read our introductory guide to the six fundamental skin types to help understand the differences between skin types.

As a refresher, dry skin reflects how much oil your skin produces (which is to say, not a lot if you’ve got dry skin). Sensitive skin tends to be more inflammation-prone and needs to be treated very carefully.

Still not sure what skin type you have? Take our Skin Typing quiz to find out!

How do I know if I have dry and sensitive skin?

You probably have Dry and Sensitive skin if:

• About an hour after you wash your face, but before you put on any products, your skin feels tight, or even flaky.
• You have very few visible pores.
• If you don’t moisturize, your skin will feel tight or flaky.
• You may struggle with acne, even though your skin does not feel oily.
• You may have broken blood vessels across your nose or cheeks, and redness or flushing in your cheeks.
• Trying new products, perfumes or sunscreens may make your skin red, itchy or irritated.
• You sometimes have rashes or hives on your skin, especially when trying new products, or when you wear jewelry that is not gold.

What can I do to treat my Dry and Sensitive skin?

Repeat after me: Moisturize! Moisturizing your Dry and Sensitive skin is the best way to help your skin repair its barrier function.

What is my skin’s barrier function and why is it important for Dry and Sensitive skin?

Your skin cells produce lipids that help maintain a barrier from irritants. If you suffer from dry skin, you won’t produce enough lipids to create a strong enough barrier, letting irritants seep in, causing inflammation (and yes, acne). If you can strengthen your skin’s barrier function, then you can move on to treating other aspects of your skin, like acne, fine lines or pigmentation.

How can I treat my dry and sensitive skin at home?

Let’s start with cleansing. Opt for cream cleansers only – no soap! – with lactic acid. Next, your moisturizer should be thick and lipid-based (remember, we’re supplementing your skin’s lipid production). Look for ceramide and cholesterols on your ingredient labels. You’ll also want to use at least one product in your routine with anti-inflammatory properties.

If you’re looking to tackle anti-aging along with your dry and sensitive skin, try a retinol. Start with a very low dose; your skin is too sensitive for full strength. If even a low dose retinol irritates your sensitive skin too much, use a Vitamin C instead. It won’t be quite as effective, but is definitely a gentler option.

Ready to boost your skin’s lipid production? Visit our Dry and Sensitive products page to see the best choices for products to add to your skincare regimen.

What Medical Grade treatments should I do for my Dry and Sensitive skin?

In the spa your skin treatments should focus on anti-inflammatory and moisturizing treatments, such as lactic acid peels and hydrating masques. Deep peels and aggressive exfoliation are not for you. However, you are still a very good candidate for Laser treatments, which do not violate the skin barrier in the same way that peels and products can. IPL lasers can remove the reds and browns from you skin without irritating it, and microneedling can rebuild your collagen and remove fine lines.