What's the best routine for sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin can be the result of both internal factors (such as genetics) and external factors (cold temperatures, pollution, harsh beauty products, etc.). Some people’s skin barrier is naturally more fragile. These people are more prone to skin reactions and irritations as their skin’s ability to defend itself against environmental aggressors is weakened. External elements can have a significant impact on skin sensitivity:

• Sun exposure: UV rays can damage the skin and leave it more sensitive. 
• Wind and extreme temperatures: these climatic conditions can dry out the skin. 
• Pollution: when pollution particles penetrate the skin, they can cause inflammation. 
• The use of harsh cosmetic products, such as abrasive cleansers and formulas containing chemical irritants, can also contribute to skin sensitivity.

Finally, lifestyle factors may play a role. Stress and unbalanced diets can affect your skin’s health, but there are tweaks you can make to your lifestyle to help your skin out! 

• Eating foods rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can help to strengthen the skin barrier. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds are particularly beneficial for your skin.
• Drinking enough water every day helps to keep skin hydrated from within.
• Stress can trigger hormonal imbalances that affect the skin. Try some relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, or breathing exercises, which can help to reduce stress and its negative effects on the skin. 
• A good night’s sleep allows the skin to regenerate. When you don’t get enough sleep, your skin can become more vulnerable to irritation. 
• Exercise improves blood flow, which in turn helps to nourish the skin and eliminate toxins.

Good to know: people with certain skin conditions often have sensitive skin.

Some pathologies are generally associated with extreme skin sensitivity, such as eczema and rosacea.

At Absolution, we’ve always harnessed the best of nature to provide skin-friendly, skin-caring active ingredients – including ingredients that effectively relieve sensitive skin.

The natural ingredients below are among the best you’ll find for reactive and fragile, weakened skin:

• Aloe vera: Ideal for hydration and instant soothing action, aloe vera helps to calm skin irritations such as redness.
• St John’s wort: Perfect for reactive, easily irritated skin, St John’s wort has calming properties and helps to soften the skin.
• White willow extract: White willow has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help to reduce redness and irritation. 
• Oat: Known to relieve itchiness and for its beneficial effects on atopic skin, oat both soothes and protects. 
• Roman chamomile: An ingredient that effectively reduces redness and also relieves irritated skin.
• Rose hip: This powerful antioxidant helps to protect the skin against environmental aggressors and improves its elasticity.
• Pracaxi oil: Rich in behenic acid, pracaxi oil deeply nourishes the skin and forms a protective barrier without leaving a greasy residue.
• Calendula: Boasting both antiseptic and healing properties, calendula supports overall skin health and provides a natural remedy for many skin concerns.
• Hemp oil: Excellent for moisturizing the skin and relieving feelings of tightness. 
• Sweet almond oil: Gentle and nourishing, sweet almond oil is often used in skincare products for sensitive skin, including products for babies’ skin.

We’ve incorporated these soothing, anti-redness, anti-irritation, antioxidant, nourishing and moisturizing active ingredients into our natural, organic skincare products, making them ideal for alleviating the discomfort experienced by sensitive and extra-sensitive skin.

Caring for sensitive skin is, first and foremost, about being gentle! The aim is always to minimize the risk of irritation while strengthening the skin barrier.

In the evening, begin by gently removing makeup. Make sure you choose a product that will lift away both impurities and makeup without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. Absolution’s Le Baume Céleste is perfect for this. Its rich, smooth texture glides over the face effortlessly (no need to rub!), melting on the skin and dissolving makeup residue, while adding a layer of moisture.

Once you’ve removed makeup, cleanse your face with an appropriate cleansing product that won’t dry out your skin. Avoid harsh cleansers at all costs, as these will upset your skin’s balance. Opt for specific formulas like our Le Nettoyant Pureté, which purifies the skin and leaves it feeling soft and comfortable – but never tight!

Good hydration is key to effectively caring for sensitive skin. After cleansing, make sure you apply a moisturizer that will strengthen the hydrolipidic barrier and hydrate your skin. Look for a product that can deliver intense, long-lasting hydration, such as our absolute best seller, Le Sérum Anti-Soif. 

Finally, if you want to relieve redness or irritation, opt for products made with naturally soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera and calendula. Absolution’s La Crème Riche both nourishes and soothes, and provides the ultimate gentle, finishing touch for your skincare routine, protecting your skin all day or night.

Are you a face mask lover? Find out which Absolution's mask are best for sensitive skin!

3 points to remember: 

• Opt for gentle cleansers and makeup removers, so you can get rid of impurities without damaging sensitive skin.
• Give priority to moisturizing products that are specially formulated for sensitive skin, to strengthen the skin barrier and prevent dehydration.
• Use skincare products that contain soothing ingredients, to relieve irritation and protect the skin from daily environmental aggressors.

1 The skin of French people. An analysis of the characteristics of our skin based on the “Objectifs Peau” study (in French)