The following ingredients are suitable for sensitive skin in skincare:
1. Aloe Vera: It has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to relieve irritation and redness.
2. Oatmeal: It has softening and anti-inflammatory properties, soothing the skin and reducing its sensitivity.
3. Chamomile: It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, reducing irritation and redness.
4. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Strengthens the skin barrier, reduces skin sensitivity, and decreases inflammation.
5. Hyaluronic Acid: Provides hydration to the skin without irritation.
Ingredients that are not suitable for sensitive skin or may cause irritation:
1. Perfume and synthetic fragrances: Can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation.
2. Alcohol: Can cause dryness and irritation of the skin.
3. Strong acids: Such as glycolic and salicylic acids, can be too aggressive for sensitive skin and cause irritation.
4. Synthetic dyes and preservatives: Can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation.
Here are some examples of synthetic dyes and preservatives that may be present in skincare products:
Synthetic dyes:
- FD&C (Food, Drug, and Cosmetic) dyes: for example, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Blue No. 1. These dyes are used to give cosmetic products vivid and bright colors.
- CI (Color Index) dyes: for example, CI 77891 (titanium dioxide), CI 77491 (iron oxide). They are used to color cosmetic products such as foundations, powders, and eyeshadows.
Synthetic preservatives:
- Parabens: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben. They are widely used as preservatives to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and fungi in cosmetic products.
- Phenoxyethanol: another popular preservative used to prevent the growth of microorganisms in cosmetic products.
- Formaldehyde and its releasing agents: these preservatives can be used as antiseptics to prevent contamination of cosmetic products.
5. Alkaline agents: can disrupt the natural acid-alkaline balance of the skin and cause dryness and irritation.
Alkaline agents in skincare are most commonly found in the form of harsh soaps and cleansing gels, which have a high pH level. These products may include:
- Hard soap (regular or toilet): usually contains alkali, which helps to remove dirt and oil from the skin but can also dry it out and disrupt its natural balance.
- Cleansing gels and foams: may contain alkaline components to provide effective cleansing of the skin, but can be too aggressive and cause drying.
Alkaline agents can be useful for deep cleansing the skin of excess oil and dirt, but they can also disrupt the skin's natural barrier and cause dryness, irritation, and even damage. Therefore, it is important to choose gentler and more balanced formulas for skincare, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin.
6. Comedogenic ingredients: can clog pores and cause acne and irritation.
Here are some examples of comedogenic ingredients that can clog pores and cause acne:
- Mineral Oil: heavy oil that can create a film on the skin and block pores.
- Coconut Oil: although it can be moisturizing, it can also cause pore congestion in some people.
- Lanolin: oil extracted from sheep's wool, which can cause acne and allergic reactions.
- Isopropyl Myristate: a lubricating substance that can be comedogenic for some skin types.
- Shea Butter: although it has many benefits for the skin, some people may experience pore congestion when using it.
- Cetyl Alcohol and Laureth-4: these ingredients can be comedogenic in some products, especially if used in large amounts or on oily skin.
It is important to note that the comedogenicity of ingredients may vary depending on each person's skin type. What works for one person may cause problems for another. Therefore, it is important to test products on a small area of skin before general use, especially if you are prone to acne or pore congestion.
When choosing skincare products for sensitive skin, it is advisable to prefer gentle and mild formulas without fragrance and aggressive ingredients that can cause irritation. It is also important to test the product on a small area of skin before general use.