Sensitive Skin

By Eleanor Tucker

Skin sensitivity has become commonplace, and for sufferers it can turn the pleasure of using beauty products into a game of skin care Russian roulette. Read our tips for dealing with unwanted reactions - and if you know of a great sensitive skin saver, tell us in the comments below.

It's vital to choose products wisely. "Sensitivity must be managed," says Noella Gabriel, Director of Products and Treatment Development at Elemis. "If the incorrect product is applied it will irritate and result in increased sensitivity."

Try cleansing with Elemis Sensitive Cleansing Wash, which contains soothing chamomile.

Sensitivity can be caused by any of a host of chemicals in skin care products, from fragrance (often called 'parfum' on packaging) to sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), a foaming agent used to create an appealing lather.

Opting for organic ranges can ensure you avoid some of these types of ingredient - try Green People Organic Base No Scent 24 Hour Cream, a face cream that contains avocado oil to nourish the skin.

Exfoliating is a great way to reveal new skin and keep your complexion healthy, but a scrub with large, uneven grains is often too harsh for sensitive types.

Pick an exfoliator specifically designed for sensitive skin, like Superdrug Simply Pure Face Scrub, which contains allantoin, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant properties.

Having sensitive skin doesn't mean you have to miss out on handy beauty products like facial wipes. Allergy UK advises a simple method to find out if you could have an allergy: "Apply it to a 50-pence-sized area of your elbow crease every morning and night for up to a week."

Yes To Cucumbers Natural Glow Facial Towelettes are free from SLS - and cucumbers are famed for their cooling and soothing properties, which often makes them good for sensitive skin.

Cutting down on the number of ingredients in the products you use is a good way to avoid reactions and work out what might be causing your sensitivity.

Sanex Zero% Dry Skin Showergel contains a reduced number of ingredients - only those needed for clean healthy skin. Perfect if you suffer from sensitivity on your body as well as your face.