Skin care tips: cosmetic selection and application tips for sensitive skin

Author: Wu Yan, Chief Physician, Peking University First Hospital

Reviewer: He Yanling, Chief Physician, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University

Cosmetic dermatitis, as one of the common skin problems, is mostly caused by the complex interaction between cosmetics and skin. Especially for those with sensitive skin, choosing the right cosmetics is particularly important.

Sensitive skin refers to the characteristics of people who are intolerant to external skin care products or cosmetics. The skin barrier function of such people is damaged, which makes it easy for chemicals to come into contact with nerve endings and blood vessels in the skin, triggering an inflammatory response. Therefore, mastering the selection and use of cosmetics is crucial to maintaining skin health.

When choosing cosmetics, people with sensitive skin should first look for products that are mild and less likely to cause irritation. Excessive use of cleaning products will further weaken the skin barrier and aggravate the sensitivity problem. Therefore, when choosing skin care products, you should prefer products with less fragrance, preservatives, and surfactants. Because these ingredients can easily penetrate the skin and cause irritation. There are many products designed for sensitive skin on the market. They are usually fragrance-free, have a single ingredient, and contain ingredients that repair the skin barrier function, which helps improve skin tolerance.

When choosing cosmetics, consumers should carefully check the product labels to confirm whether they are suitable for sensitive skin. When trying for the first time, it is recommended to start with simple cleansing, moisturizing, and sunscreen products, and gradually increase the variety. During use, you should avoid changing products frequently to avoid irritating the skin and causing repeated sensitive conditions. In addition, you should pay attention to the control of the amount when using it. You can try it on sensitive areas first, observe the skin reaction, and then decide whether to use it on the whole face.

In addition, the correct use of cosmetics is equally important for maintaining healthy skin. Although cosmetics are intended to protect and beautify the skin, improper use may have the opposite effect. Correctly choosing products suitable for your skin type is the basis, and following the correct usage method is equally important. Cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection are the three cornerstones of skin care. Neglecting any step may lead to skin problems.

During the cleaning process, you should avoid using overly strong cleansing products to avoid damaging the skin barrier. Moisturizing is the key to maintaining the water and oil balance of the skin, and you should choose the right moisturizing product according to your skin type. Sunscreen is a necessary measure to protect against UV damage, and it should be used consistently whether indoors or outdoors.

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In addition, when using cosmetics, special attention should be paid to their ingredients. Although the content of heavy metals such as lead and mercury in regular products is strictly regulated by the state, long-term and large-scale use may still pose potential risks to health. Pregnant and breastfeeding women in particular should choose cosmetics carefully to avoid the adverse effects of heavy metal accumulation on the body.

At the same time, good makeup habits and daily care are also important to maintain skin health. Before applying makeup, you should ensure that the skin is well moisturized to make the makeup more natural. During the makeup process, you should pay attention to hygiene to avoid cosmetic contamination and bacterial infection. After returning home at night, you should remove makeup in time and thoroughly remove the cosmetic residue on the skin surface to avoid clogging pores and causing skin problems.

It is especially important to wipe off makeup products such as lipstick and nail polish before eating, because the ingredients in these products may be ingested into the body when they come into contact with food, and long-term accumulation may cause adverse effects on health.

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