Anti-Aging Routine For Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is prone to itching, redness, tightness and burning. You want to fight the signs of aging without causing irritated flare-ups.

A good anti-aging routine will include:

• A cleanser, toner, a soothing facial oil, and a moisturizer.
• Anti-aging products such as fruit enzymes to remove dead skin cell buildup.
• Collagen stimulating ingredients such as vitamin C or peptides.
• A daily sunscreen will prevent sun damage to your skin.

This guide will teach you how to create an amazing sensitive skin care routine to target the signs of aging.

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Step 1: Cleanse

• Cleanse in the AM and PM.
• Do not use hot water to wash your face and make sure you pat gently to dry. [Read: How to Wash your Face]

What to Look for in a Cleanser

• Sensitive skin types should avoid any highly fragranced soaps or soaps with strong detergents. 
• Gentle, limited ingredient liquid, gel, cream, or oil cleansers are the best way to go.
• Look for soothing ingredients such as chamomile.

Step 2: Toner

• A soothing toner will leave sensitive skin feeling clean and refreshed without the use of aggressive cleansers and can help counteract the irritation that can occur after washing your face.

What to Look for in a Toner

• Sensitive skin should avoid alcohol, fragrance, and alpha-hydroxy acids in their toners. Discontinue use if you notice additional redness.

Step 3: Serum

• A good anti-aging serum for sensitive skin will calm your skin, while delivering actives such as antioxidants.
• Wait for 10 - 15 minutes after washing your face to apply your water-based serum. Allowing your skin to dry completely will slow down penetration and reduce potential irritation.

What to Look for in a Serum

• Vitamin C is an excellent anti-aging ingredient for sensitive skin.

Step 4: Moisturizer

• A moisturizer will hydrate the skin and keep it plump and moist. It will also help keep your skin barrier intact.
• Use daily after cleansing, toning, and applying your serum. 

What to Look for in a Moisturizer

• When moisturizing sensitive skin, you want a moisturizer that is free of fragrances (look for fragrance-free products rather than unscented) and irritating preservatives.

Step 5: Apply Facial Oil

• Oils provide nourishment, hydration, protection, and repair. They are packed with youth-enhancing antioxidants and skin-renewing compounds.
• Mix a few drops of facial oil with your moisturizer or apply after.

What to Look for in a Facial Oil

• Sea buckthorn, apricot kernel, borage, and evening primrose are excellent oils for sensitive skin. 

Step 6: Sunscreen 

• Sunscreen is an important part of every skin care routine. The sun damages our skin leading to redness, irritation and wrinkle formation. 
• Use every morning. 

What to Look for in a Sunscreen

• Sensitive skin types should avoid chemical sun blockers such as oxybenzone and instead opt for physical sun blockers such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide.
• I recommend looking for a tinted moisturizer with SPF, that way you cover the whiteness that zinc oxide can create on the skin. 

Nightly Retinol Alternative

I don't recommend retiniods because there is too much controversy over their safety, but I do like to use products (exfoliating fruit enzymes) that offer a similar effect to retinol (speed up cellular turnover)

Use your natural retinol alternative every night in place of your serum to refine and lightly exfoliate your skin, leading to brighter, smoother skin in the morning. 

Exfoliates

Exfoliates remove the dead skin cells that make your skin look dull. They can also speed up cellular turnover, bringing young skin to the surface. 

There are two types of exfoliates; chemical and physical. Both remove dead skin cells but with different compounds. Physical exfoliates use small granules such as crushed up walnut shells or sugar, chemical exfoliates use acids or fruit enzymes. 

Physical Exfoliates

I recommend using a dry powder scrub that you can add to your face wash. If you find that your skin is looking dull, you can give it a light scrub to get your glow back. I don't recommend doing this more than a couple times a week.

Chemical Exfoliates

Chemical exfoliates such as glycolic acid may be too harsh for sensitive skin, lactic acid is a more gentle chemical exfoliate. Another option is to look for a product with gentle exfoliating enzymes such as pumpkin enzymes. 

Perform a fruit enzyme peel once a week. 

Masks 

A weekly mask will help reduce clogged pores while fighting free radicals and aging, as well as delivering minerals directly to your skin.

Homemade masks containing yogurt, honey, or avocado are great for sensitive skin. The lactic acid in yogurt gently digests dead skin cells, avocado provides lipids and hydration, and honey fights bacteria.

Look for masks containing Vitamin C, or other antioxidants as well as minerals. Use your mask once a week, a few days after your enzyme peel.

Conclusion

The above product recommendations should help you get the youthful skin you desire. The most important aspect of sensitive skin care is avoiding harsh ingredients and using gentle products. 

Let us know in the comments if you have any questions, we always answer!