Ingredients for dry, itchy, sensitive skin – what to avoid and what to look for
Would you classify your skin as dry? Perhaps its itchy or is sensitive? There are ingredients you can look out for that can help!
The first thing is to check for anything that may irritate or dry out your skin. Ingredients to avoid in skincare that may irritate your skin, include fragrances, dyes, alcohol or detergents (soaps). These bad boys will only further irritate, dry out and annoy your skin.
The main thing when it comes to managing dry or sensitive skin is to add moisture and make sure it stays there. Some key ingredients to look out for include: collagen, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, glycolic and lactic acids, glycerin, and ceramides.
Colloidal oatmeal and beta-glucan in skincare
You may have heard about colloidal oatmeal – when it comes to skincare it’s a superstar! It can form a protective layer that not only reduces skin water loss, but also soothes, hydrates and nourishes skin. All products in the DermaVeen face range contain this key ingredient.
Beta-glucan is also an important player. It’s included in anti-aging products to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (possibly by stimulating collagen formation). DermaVeen Skin Renewal Facial Serum, DermaVeen Hydrating Facial Moisturiser and DermaVeen Ultra Hydrating Cleanser all contain beta-glucan for just this reason.
Ingredients in the DermaVeen range of face products
Hyaluronic acid: An acid? What! Don’t worry, hyaluronic acid is an important part of your skin and is a natural moisturiser that can hold a LOT of water within your skin. Products in the DermaVeen range of face products that contain hyaluronic acid include:
Pro-vitamin B5: Also known as panthenol, this penetrating moisturiser is non-irritating, non-sensitising and leaves the skin feeling moisturised and conditioned, enhancing skin suppleness and holding water. Both DermaVeen Skin Renewal Facial Serum and DermaVeen Ultra Hydrating Cleanser contain pro-vitamin B5.
Aloe Vera: Ever put aloe vera on after sunburn? That’s probably because this ingredient supplies moisture directly to the skin, cooling, soothing and relieving dry and sensitive skin. Products in the DermaVeen face range that contain aloe vera include:
- DermaVeen Moisture Bright Eye Cream
- DermaVeen Foaming Facial Cleanser
- DermaVeen Ultra Light Day Lotion SPF50+
Shea Butter: This delightful ingredient helps protect the skin from dehydration and outside irritants. A natural fat from the fruit of the karite tree, shea butter can be found in DermaVeen face products such as:
Coconut oil: Possibly the most versatile ingredient, coconut oil can be found in soaps, ointments, creams and sunscreen. It’s used as a base for cream formulations like DermaVeen Regenerating Night Cream.
Vitamin E: Most commonly found in ingredient lists as tocopherol acetate, which is a more stable form and converts to Vitamin E in the body. This antioxidant has moisturising properties. Products in the DermaVeen face range with Vitamin E include:
- DermaVeen Hydrating Facial Moisturiser
- DermaVeen Regenerating Night Cream
- DermaVeen Ultra Light Day Lotion SPF50+
- DermaVeen Moisture Bright Eye Cream
Squalene: This triple threat replenishes the lipids (fats) in your skin plus softens and smoothes – all of which help your skin look and feel great! Products in the DermaVeen face range containing squalene include:
Glycerin: A powerhouse of skincare, glycerin is a humectant – so it binds water and draws it into your skin. DermaVeen face products containing glycerin include:
- DermaVeen Regenerating Night Cream
- DermaVeen Moisture Bright Eye Cream
- DermaVeen Foaming Facial Cleanser
- DermaVeen Skin Renewal Facial Serum
- DermaVeen Hydrating Facial Moisturiser
Caffeine: No we don’t mean coffee! Caffeine in skincare helps firm and tighten the skin as well as reduce puffiness, hence its use in DermaVeen Moisture Bright Eye Cream
Cucumber: The classic image of relaxing with cucumber slices over your eyes isn’t just make-believe. Cucumber extract has multiple moisturising properties as well as soothing, refreshing, softening and cooling effects, which is why it is included in DermaVeen Moisture Bright Eye Cream.
Other ingredients in the DermaVeen face range: Dimethicone gives the DermaVeen Regenerating Night Cream a lovely, non-greasy feel. Lactic acid used in the DermaVeen Foaming Facial Cleanser and the DermaVeen Hydrating Facial Moisturiser acts as an exfoliant and moisturiser to help improve skin texture. Urea is a ‘true’ moisturiser that attracts and holds moisture in the skin as well as helping dissolve the glue that holds dead skin cells together on the skin’s surface – it can be found in the DermaVeen Foaming Facial Cleanser and the DermaVeen Hydrating Facial Moisturiser. Finally, Sweet Almond Oil and Macadamia oil are both emollients, meaning they help soothe and hydrate the skin as well as improve skin barrier function. They are featured in the DermaVeen Hydrating Facial Moisturiser.
Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. When using sunscreen always wear a hat, protective clothing, and sunglasses. Avoid prolonged high-risk sun exposure. Reapply sunscreen frequently or use in accordance with directions.
Frequently asked questions about moisturising skincare
Colloidal Oatmeal can form a protective layer that not only reduces skin water loss, but also soothes, hydrates and nourishes skin.
Yes. Colloidal Oatmeal (super fine particles of oatmeal suspended in a cream, ointment or lotion) has been shown to contain elements that help support the protective barrier of eczema-prone skin.
The key to managing sensitive skin is hydration. Proper hydration helps your skin barrier to recover from any damage and to maintain its ability to protect your skin from potential irritants. So look for ingredients that add or hold moisture in, like hyaluronic acid, shea butter or glycerin.