During the dryer or older months of the year in fall and winter, an individual with sensitive skin may need to take extra precautions. You can prevent irritating your skin further and maintain healthy, hydrated skin by avoiding some of the following irritants.
Individuals with eczema, psoriasis and other skin concerns will already know these are irritants to stay away from. Hot water, strong or harsh body soaps, rough fabrics such as wool or synthetic fiber, and perfumes or fragrances can each irritate your skin especially if you have sensitive or dry skin. Taking hot baths is not recommended so try to limit your shower or bath to warm. Using harsh soaps can strip your skin of its natural oils. Opt for a non-foaming cleanser or a soap for gentle skin and limit usage to areas that sweat more. This can help prevent the loss of your skin’s natural hydration. Also, exfoliating your skin too much or excessively can create redness and rashes. If you typically exfoliate your skin often, it may be better to use a gentle exfoliant with alpha hydroxy acids. These can remove the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin.