Top tips for delicate skin

If your skin is on the sensitive side, there’s much you can do to keep relieving your symptoms. Dr Ginny shares some easy skincare tips for keeping sensitive skin happy all year round.

• Protect your skin from sunshine, excessive wind, air conditioning and pollution where possible.
• Do not overheat your home or office.
• Avoid hot baths or showers, use warm water instead.
• Use a soap-free cleanser or gentle cleansing lotion. Avoid cleansing wipes if possible.
• Choose cotton or silk clothes and avoid wool or synthetic fibres next to the skin.
• Choose an effective but gentle moisturiser that will help restore the skin barrier.
• Try to avoid certain ingredients that commonly cause irritation in sensitive skin, for example, fragrance, benzoyl peroxide (often used in acne treatments), retinoids, hydroxyl-acids and alcohol in skin products. Another ingredient that I advise to avoid is Methylisothiazolinone (MI), which is a commonly used preservative in skin care and household products.
• In winter – try to avoid spending prolonged time outdoors in very cold or windy weather. Use a gentle but effective moisturiser under your make-up, every day. You may need a slightly thicker moisturiser at night, to help counteract any dryness. Remember to use daily SPF too – even in winter, there can be sufficient UV to cause skin damage.
• In summer – use a daily sunscreen, ideally SPF 50. Wear a hat and sunglasses to give extra protection from the sun. Use a gentle but effective moisturiser every day and at night, too.