Choosing the Best Soap for Sensitive Skin

Suppose your skin tends to respond to skincare products, cosmetics, and environmental stressors with reactions such as dryness, redness, flakiness, and inflammation. In that case, you’re already familiar with the dramatic temperaments of sensitive skin. However, there are steps that you can take to keep even the most reactive and easily triggered skin happy; beginning with understanding how to choose the best soap for sensitive skin. Let’s get straight to it.

What Is Sensitive Skin?

Sensitive skin is a condition that can affect people of every skin colour and type (from dry to oily). It is a common condition that makes your skin more prone to reactions such as redness, inflammation, discolouration, irritation, and itching. It is characterised by inflammation and irritation due to external factors (e.g., allergens and weather changes) and internal factors (e.g., hormonal shifts).

Essentially, sensitive skin is your body’s response to minor triggers that other skin types might easily ignore. People who have sensitive skin often notice occasional or frequent itching, burning, and stinging on patches of skin that may require a visit to the dermatologist.

How Do You Know If You Have Sensitive Skin?

To determine whether you have sensitive skin, look for these telltale signs.

• Redness and Rashes

Redness and rashes are more than just a temporary flush; they’re sensitive skin’s SOS signals in response to irritants.

• Irritation

Does your skin often burn, sting or itch in certain situations, such as when you wear new clothes or experience a temperature change? While occasional irritation doesn’t spell sensitivity, regular and unexplained flare-ups are a hallmark of sensitive skin.

• Dryness

Sensitive skin often struggles to maintain moisture, leading to a dry, tight sensation and sometimes even cracking or flaking. This dryness can increase itching and peeling, making skin even more sensitive.

• Reactivity

Sensitive skin is notorious for its quick negative response to new personal care products, from makeup to soap.

Are Bar Soaps Good for Sensitive Skin?

The short answer is yes. Most traditional bar soaps have an alkaline pH in the range of 9 to 10. This can strip away your skin’s natural oils and moisture, disrupting its natural barrier and making it even more sensitive.

But some bar soaps like Kanda cold-process soaps have a pH of 5 to 6, which is more similar to your skin’s natural pH level. Preserving the skin’s pH level is crucial to maintaining a strong, healthy skin barrier. Products with a high pH can make your skin too alkaline, leaving it prone to acne, redness and sensitivity.

Cold process soaps can also be infused with ingredients like glycerin, natural butters and oils, all of which restore, rather than deplete, natural oils to fortify the skin barrier, soothe dryness, calm inflammation and minimise redness and itching.

How To Use Cold Process Soaps To Wash Sensitive Skin

The best soaps for sensitive skin are free of alcohol, fragrance, dyes, sulfates and alpha-hydroxy acids, which can promote further irritation. Also, look for moisture-replenishing humectants, skin-smoothing emollients and microbiome-protecting probiotics.

Try gentle soaps like Kanda Neem Soap, Baby Soap or the Embed Soap. The formula in these soaps is non-comedogenic and proven to be gentle on all skin types. Plus, it’s packed with skin-soothing, moisture-binding natural butters and oils to gently cleanse while preserving the skin barrier.

Now that you have the soap for your sensitive skin sorted, follow these simple steps to make sure it cleanses your skin effectively without irritation.

• Turn Down the Temperature:

This step is essential to prevent further aggravating sensitive skin. Hot water can over-dilate blood vessels, breaking delicate skin tissue and making it even more sensitive. Opt for lukewarm water, which is less likely to do any damage.

• Apply Cleanser Gently:

Work in your soap lather in gentle, circular motions. You can get all the benefits of cleansing in 20 to 30 seconds of washing, so avoid overwashing or scrubbing. This minimises irritation, avoids redness and maintains the skin’s integrity.

• Pat Dry

To wrap up your wash, gently pat your skin dry with a soft, clean cloth. Avoid rubbing. Gentle patting helps preserve the skin’s natural balance and barrier. This method is less abrasive and helps prevent irritation and damage to the skin’s surface.

Post-Cleansing Care for Sensitive Skin

Once you dry your face, you’re not done quite yet. Follow these steps to effectively help calm and nourish your sensitive skin after cleansing.

• Hydrate Immediately:

Apply a moisturising product while your skin is still slightly damp. This helps lock in moisture and maintain the skin’s hydration levels. Look for moisturising products with ingredients like glycerin, olive oil, and grapeseed oil, which are known for their soothing and hydrating properties. Kanda Olive & Coco Body Oil is great for this.

• Apply a Skin Barrier Repair Product:

Consider using products designed to repair and strengthen the skin barrier.

• Use Sun Protection:

Sunscreen is necessary for all skin types, but this may be especially true for sensitive skin, which can be more prone to sun damage. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Sensitive skin usually best tolerates mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, so choose a formula that contains those ingredients and boasts a non-greasy, lightweight finish.

• Indulge in Nighttime Care:

Consider using a restorative night cream, balm or oil to help support your skin’s natural renewal process while sleeping. Look for products with calming and repairing ingredients like Lavender, Shea Butter, or Peppermint oil like the Shea Body Balm.

Remember that managing sensitive skin doesn’t need to be a daunting task. Start by making small improvements to your regular skincare routine to remove harsh and irritating ingredients and highlight hydrating, soothing formulas. Practice these easy steps and watch your sensitive skin thrive, radiating health and happiness!