Sensitive skin is not a skin type in itself, but rather it is a condition that can present itself with oily skin, dry skin and combination skin. You may suffer from mild to severe sensitive skin, and it can affect certain parts of your skin (like sensitive facial skin) or your whole body. If you want to alleviate the discomfort and irritation that usually accompanies this condition, then you should look for sensitive skin products that are both fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.

During the hotter summer months, any skin type can appear dull because of excess sebum. With sensitive skin, this may mean more irritation. In order to keep this under control, anyone with sensitive skin should follow a cleansing routine that includes cleansers, toners and moisturizers specially designed for sensitive skin.

Sunscreen is an absolute must during the summer. UV radiation can irritate sensitive skin and lead to rashes, flakiness and cracked skin. Always follow up sun exposure with a soothing gel.

The use of natural skin care products can offer soothing benefits for any skin type without producing rashes or irritation. However, don't be blinded by the "natural ingredients" claim remember, there are natural ingredients that can trigger sensitive skin reactions so take your time and read the labels. Some ingredients you shoul look for are: chamomile, lavender, camphor, calamine, aloe vera, azulene and bisabolol.

Sensitive skin treatments can include masks that incorporate one or more of the previously mentioned ingredients. All you need to do is make sure that you do not use any product, traditional or homemade, that contains alcohol. Alcohol will dry out your skin and make it more irritable than normal.

Herbal Remedies & Sensitive Skin

If you prefer, you can use home remedies instead of traditional sensitive skin lotions. I can't stress this fact enough: even natural ingredients can lead to allergic reactions so make sure to do a patch test before trying out any new product.

Try using almond or jojoba oil to cleanse your face. These natural oils will help clear your skin and keep it moisturized at the same time. When toning you can use comfrey steeped in water.

Exfoliate naturally using a mix that includes grapefruit and oatmeal. The citric acid contained in the grapefruit juice will help you slough off dead skin cells. Oatmeal, on the other hand, will help soothe your skin.

You can even make a soothing skin mask by using fruits. Cucumber and yogurt make a good facial mask for sensitive skin. Licorice is also a soothing ingredient that can be found in some natural products.

Perhaps the most common ingredient in soothing skin care products is Aloe vera gel. You can use it directly on your skin. Wash off with a warm, moist wash cloth.