5 Active Ingredients Sensitive Skin Should Try
Under the impression that sensitive skin and active skincare ingredients were mortal enemies? Actually there are some awesome power-players that work wonders on delicate skin…
It’s a well-known fact that sensitive skin types go gaga for gentle ingredients that care for their fragile barrier function and are moisturizing, hydrating, calming and soothing. But sensitive skin matures just like every other skin type, and oftentimes things like aloe vera and chamomile (as awesome as they are!) don’t cut the mustard when trying to soften the visible blows of aging.
Most skin types can turn to potent, active anti-aging ingredients like retinol, glycolic acid and vitamin C without a care in the world. Of course, it’s always smart to patch test such powerful ingredients first… just in case. But once this is out of the way, most find they can introduce them into their daily routines with zero problems.
Not everyone has such luck with their skincare, however, and sensitive skin can be a tricky type to master. But all is not lost because we’ve rounded up some of the best active ingredients that are effective, for sure, but are way kinder to the skin, making them a fabulous choice for sensitive souls.
Keep scrolling for the five active ingredients we rate best for sensitive skin.
1. Bakuchiol
Retinol is awesome. We know that. You know that. But if you have sensitive skin that flares up if you so much as say the word ‘retinol’ out loud, gentler alternatives are more your style. And this is where bakuchiol shines.
Bakuchiol (pronounced bah-koo-chee-awl) is basically nature’s answer to retinol. Says it all, right? Extracted from the seeds and leaves of the babchi plant, bakuchiol has been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, both internally and topically to treat the skin. A bunch of recent clinical studies have also shown that, as well as offering the previously well-known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, bakuchiol offers similar benefits to retinol, stimulating collagen synthesis and accelerating cellular turnover. Because of these skin-changing abilities, bakuchiol can dramatically improve the surface of the skin, encouraging a brighter, clearer, smoother and more even complexion. What’s more, all of this comes with very few, if any, of the irritating side effects that are so often attributed to more potent retinoids.
Bakuchiol is the backbone of our new healthy aging Longevity range which includes Rejuvenating Longevity Serum, Depuffing Longevity Eye Cream and Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream. Give them a go, sensitive skin folks. We don’t think you’ll regret it.
2. Hyaluronic Acid
You’ll probably know a fair bit about hyaluronic acid (HA) as it’s always in the skincare spotlight. But here’s a quick recap. Hyaluronic acid is a lubricating polymer that’s found naturally in your skin (as well as in your eyes and joints, ps). It’s what’s known as a humectant which means it has the ability to draw in moisture, kind of like a sponge. In fact, studies have shown that HA can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Don’t ask as how, it just does. Call it magic.
Sensitive skin is often notoriously dry and dehydrated thanks to a slightly sub-standard barrier function. And this is why HA is such a good choice for hydrating, moisturizing and plumping sensitive skin, simultaneously helping to improve fine lines and wrinkles. The fact that it’s a naturally-occurring substance already found in the body also makes it very well tolerated. Love that. Try Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum for your daily hit.
3. PHAs
PHAs are poly hydroxy acids that work by gentle exfoliating those pesky dead skin cells that can outstay their welcome at the surface of your skin, blocking your pores and giving your skin a dull, gray palor that nobody wants. Unlike scrubs and cleansing brushes, PHAs exfoliate your skin without the need for any rough scrubbing – because sensitive skin hates that. You’ll probably be acquainted with their cousins, AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) which include the likes of glycolic acid and salicylic acid. And don’t get us wrong, we’re big fans of the As and Bs, but when it comes to sensitive skin, the mighty Ps are everything.
So how do they differ? Well, PHAs have a larger molecular size than AHAs and BHAs. This makes them way gentler on the skin because they only work at the surface, rather than penetrating the deeper, more fragile layers. Ideal for those who can’t quite bear the strength of other exfoliating acids, PHAs are awesome alternatives. They also help hydrate and moisturize the skin as an added bonus. Keen to try them out? We get that, so look out for the most common PHAs on your ingredients list: gluconolactone, lactobionic acid and galactosen.
4. Niacinamide
It’s a fact: niacinamide (vitamin B3) is one of our favorite antioxidants for sensitive skin. Versatile, easily tolerated and wonderfully caring for a compromised barrier function, what’s not to love?
As well as its fighting ability to ward off the damaging effects of free radicals – which your skin forms on a daily basis thanks to pollution and UV radiation – niacinamide has fantastic anti-inflammatory properties, helping to regulate oil production while calming the skin and reducing unwanted redness.
It also has a clever way of aiding the production of ceramides in the uppermost layers of your skin. Ceramides are waxy lipids that make up somewhere between 40 and 50 percent of your skin’s composition, helping to retain moisture and protect your skin from external factors. With age, ceramides start to dwindle, so anything you do to keep them at an all-time high is going to be awesome for the strength and resilience of your skin. Try applying our Niacinamide Facial Serum twice daily for incredible results. It also contains vitamin E and HA for some extra love.
5. Ceramides
While we’re on the subject of ceramides, these are another great bunch of ingredients to keep an eye on if you want to improve the resilience of your skin and ensure it stays looking and feeling its best for longer.
Synthetically produced to mimic the natural stuff that works hard within your skin’s structure, topical ceramides are kind of a big deal. They’re well tolerated by all skin types (even the most sensitive), plus they offer some extremely important benefits – especially as your skin ages. We’re talking moisturization, hydration, strengthening, repairing, protection and all sorts.
The most commonly used ceramides in skincare are NP, AP and EOP which we’ve packed into our new Firming Collagen Day Lotion and Smoothing Collagen Serum. What’s more, the ones we use are vegan ceramides which means they’re plant-derived and totally cruelty-free. High-fives.
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![How A Healthy Gut = Healthier Skin]()
Been hearing a bit about the gut-skin axis recently and not sure what it’s all about? Then allow us to elaborate…
When searching for the solution to monthly acne breakouts, eczema flare-ups or bouts of rosacea few people think about what’s going on inside their bodies. But rather than stock up on months of prescription medication to deal with your skin issues, word is that taking a look at your gut health could be far more beneficial.
It’s all about the gut-skin axis, you see. The gut-skin, erm, what? Ha, don’t worry, the gut-skin axis is a relatively simple concept to grasp.
Your gut is home to a complex microbiome in which gazillions of microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses live. We know this doesn’t sound pleasant, but your microbiome plays an extremely important role in keeping bad bacteria at bay and therefore keeping your immune system in check. And all this is vital for helping to maintain balance and harmony throughout the entire body.
If this microbiome becomes unbalanced due to things like a poor diet, emotional stress, or food sensitivities, however, this can cause major disruptions in your body. And we’re not just talking about digestive issues like bloating or gastrointestinal diseases, because wherever there is gut inflammation, skin inflammation often follows.
Why is your skin affected by your gut, you might be wondering? Well, just like your gut, your skin has its own microbiome and the two are in constant communication with each other via a clever little pathway called the gut-skin axis. This means that when your gut is off kilter, your skin will, more often than not, reflect this, becoming inflamed, irritated or congested. Eating dairy, for example, is often linked to chronic skin issues like eczema. Wheat is another one that’s known to cause sensitivities and congestion, thereby triggering acne.
Reckon your gut could do with a little self-refinement right now? Here’s how to help improve the health of your gut… and consequently, your skin.
1. Get An Allergy Test
The most effective way to figure out what’s upsetting your gut and skin is to get an allergy test. Sure, you can do this at home by keeping a food diary while eliminating some of the main offenders (here’s looking at you dairy, wheat, gluten and spicy foods), but, jeez, do you really have the time, energy and patience? Thought not.
A better option is to visit a specialist to get a food allergy test. There are many ways to go about this but the most common are skin prick tests and blood tests. Both of these are very useful ways to pinpoint what’s causing you grief. Then you can avoid the culprits. Simple.
2. Cut Down On Sugar
While we would never suggest you remove things like dairy and wheat from your diet without consulting a doctor or allergist first, one thing you should be extremely wary of is sugar. With zero nutritional value, sugar is dastardly for your gut and even worse for your skin, triggering everything from acne and eczema to rosacea and psoriasis. In fact, sugar is probably the most inflammatory thing you could put into your body. Eek.
Furthermore, studies show that overloading your body with sugar produces advanced glycation end products (AGEs) – harmful compounds that break down collagen and elastin and ruin your radiant, youthful complexion.
Sugar is officially bad news, whichever way you look at it.
3. Eat Plenty Of The Good Stuff
A healthy diet is everything, so once you’ve eliminated anything that’s causing your gut grief, it’s time to indulge in all the good stuff. Fresh fruit, veggies, nuts, beans, healthy fats and lean protein are all awesome ways to support the wall of your gut.
And then there are those extra special foods that help promote good bacteria in your gut, and of course your skin as a consequence. These are called biotics – namely prebiotics and probiotics.
Biotics help balance your microbiome by literally flooding it with good bacteria. Prebiotics help encourage the growth of healthy bacteria that’s already present in your gut and can be found in things like asparagus, artichokes, garlic, leeks, bananas and oats. Meanwhile, probiotics are microorganisms in their own right and are found in cultured and fermented food like kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir, miso and live yogurt.
4. Minimize Stress
When you’re stressed out your brain goes into fight or flight mode and triggers your nervous system to release a whole bunch of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline into the bloodstream. This causes your heart to pump faster, your breath to quicken and your muscles to tense and get ready for action.
Of course, this is pretty useful when your body needs to react quickly to something, but the problems arise when stress hormones go into constant overdrive and your body gets no time to relax or go back to normal. This plays havoc with your gut (among other things!), compromising the balance of its microbiome, ‘feeding’ the bad bacteria and causing major problems with your digestion and immune system.
All this will reflect very poorly on the look, feel and health of your skin so try to cut down on stress wherever you can. This may be easier said than done, but there are many ways to reduce or manage your levels of stress. Some people find that yoga or exercise works. Others keep a stress journal to figure out what’s causing their stress in order to avoid their triggers and help them work on controlling their reactions. The most important thing, according to HelpGuide, is to experiment with different stress management tips to find what works for you.
Once your gut is in a more healthy working order, trust us, your skin will start to follow suit.
And in the meantime, ensure you’re doing everything you can to keep it clean, strong, protected and moisturized with your TruSkin favorites! Here’s how to build a successful skincare regime, right here.
How A Healthy Gut = Healthier Skin
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