In 2003, the American Academy of Dermatology presented the following guidelines for cosmetic selection for women with [tag-tec]sensitive skin[/tag-tec]:

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• Women should use powder over liquid when possible. Powders have fewer preservatives and are less likely to cause skin irritation.

• Avoid waterproof cosmetics, as removing them may also strip the skin further, leading to greater breakouts.

• Stick with basic black for your eyeliner and mascara- generally, black has fewer allergans and irritants compared to other colors. Use the pencil form rather than the liquid form.

• Use foundations based on silicone, as silicone has been shown to have a low rate of [tag-ice]skin[/tag-ice] irritation.

• Use products with as few ingredients as possible. 10 or fewer ingredients is optimal.

• Renew your cosmetics regularly- toss old makeup once its past its prime. Rule of thumb: toss foundation and lipstick after one year, mascara after three or four months, and powder/eyeshadows after two years.

• Wash your hands and your makeup brushes regularly. Common sense, but a good reminder.

It usually doesn’t take much to know you have sensitive skin. Your skin is likely to be easily irritated and is often blotchy and red. [tag-tec]Sensitive skin[/tag-tec] is more prone to allergic reactions, and is often adversely affected by sun, wind, and cold weather.

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If you have [tag-self]sensitive skin[/tag-self], you might want to avoid any kind of skin care regimen- after all, each time you wash and dry your face, it only seems to get more irritated and redder.

If that’s the case, you should probably re-think the products you’re using. Take a look right now and make sure all your skin care products are hypoallergenic (which means they have a lesser chance of causing allergic reactions) and fragrance free (because fragrance is a prime culprit for making sensitive skin worse.)

Treat your skin gently; avoid harsh exfoliants and alcohol based toners. You can use a mild toner on oily areas, but don’t overdue it.

One of the most important elements of caring for [tag-ice]sensitive skin[/tag-ice] is to be patient. It might take some time to find the best combination of products for you- and once you do, stick with them. Don’t introduce new products unless you absolutely have to.