Sensitive skin is often referred to as skin that becomes easily reddened or irritated by the use of cosmetics and other factors such as cold weather, sun and environmental pollution.

The medical definition of sensitive skin is somewhat different. Dermatologists believe that the skin is sensitive when it is so dry that it no longer adequately protects the nerve endings or when the person experiences protuberances on the skin, pustules or erosion. According to dermatologist Leslie Baumann, director of the Institute of Cosmetic Medicine at the University of Miami, there are four types of sensitive skin: acne, rosacea, burning and stinging and contact dermatitis (allergies and irritants).

Most soap contains fragrance, one of the worst allergens in cosmetic products. Also the soap is alkaline which can break the acid mantle of the skin causing the skin to dry and become sensitive. Skin cells need to stay hydrated to be healthy. Look for products to clean the skin like gels and lotions that say on the label hypoallergenic, free of formaldehyde and for sensitive skin. You can also try this Shea butter soap.

Old cosmetics can be contaminated and cause skin problems. If your cosmetics already have a lot of time, it is better to buy new ones. Mascara should be replaced every three months, bar cosmetics and lipstick every six months. To delineate the eyes and eyebrows use pencil instead of liquid. You must sharpen the pencil every time you use them.

Use silicone bases and powders instead of creams. For eye shadows, those with strong colors are very irritating; use those that come in natural tones. Do not use waterproof cosmetics because it is more difficult to remove them. Use cosmetics with less than 10 ingredients. Homemade make-up removers

Next I leave a list of ingredients that you should avoid. If you have a product that contains any of them, it is better to throw it away.

• Isopropyl alcohol (SD-40) and denatured alcohol (denatured alcohol): These alcohols dry the skin and are very irritating.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate and Ammonium Laureth Sulfate: All these ingredients are strong detergents found in some cleansers and are extremely irritating to the skin.
• Fragrance: Avoid products that say "fragrance" or "perfume" in the list of ingredients.
• Dyes and dyes: It is usually the last ingredient on the list and is a common allergen.
• Alpha Lipoic Acid: L-Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbic Acid: Although vitamin C can be very beneficial for normal skin, people with sensitive skin should avoid it.

Whenever you are going to use new products you should do an allergy test before putting it on. To do this test you must put some of the product on the lower part of the wrist and wait 48 hours. At 48 hours you should see if there is redness, irritation or inflammation. If so, then you should not use the product. At the WebMD medical site, recommend putting a little of the product behind the ear and repeat for 5 days in a row. If there is no irritation, you can probably use the product without problems.

Dehydrated skin is more vulnerable to infections, allergies, sun damage and irritation. Moisturizing products help seal moisture and form a nourishing and protective shield on the skin. To keep your skin hydrated you not only need a moisturizer for sensitive skin but you should also drink enough water during the day. Coconut oil and olive oil are a good natural option to moisturize the skin.

To maintain radiant skin it is very important to have a healthy diet. Water and natural juices serve to keep your skin hydrated. It also includes fresh foods, fruits, and vegetables. Try fruits with a high vitamin A content such as mango and vegetables rich in vitamin C, such as peppers. Both vitamins are essential for beautiful skin.

Foods that can cause problems for sensitive skin are dairy products, gluten foods, artificial colors and other preservatives that come in canned or frozen foods and eggs.

Sensitive skin is highly susceptible to damage caused by the sun, cold, heat and wind. You must apply sunscreen before leaving, even on cloudy days. Do not expose yourself intentionally to the sun to get a tan.

Stress can affect the health of the skin. When we are tense, the brain releases cortisol, the stress hormone. This hormone tells the sebaceous glands to increase the production of fat, which causes acne. Stress also dilates blood vessels, which causes redness on the face and aggravates rosacea. Another consequence of stress is that the skin becomes dehydrated and becomes more susceptible to damage. Every day, take about 20 minutes to relax. You can also try these home remedies for stress.

If you've been trying to quit smoking, here's another reason to quit. Smoking causes a narrowing of the blood vessels, including all those that supply nutrients and oxygen to the outer layers of the skin. Therefore, smoking prevents vitamin A and other skin nutrients from doing their job.

We hear a lot that we should sleep 8 hours a day but it is also important to note that these 8 hours feed more to the body when they start early in the night. Sleeping from 9pm to 6am is not the same as staying up late and sleeping from 3 in the morning to 11 a day. Whenever you can, it is better to fall asleep at 9pm. The skin is repaired while you sleep so that lack of sleep prevents the natural healing process of the skin. This means that the skin becomes more prone to damage caused by external factors such as sun and cold.