The first step in sensitive skin care is to reduce the number of irritants that you are exposed to. The average sensitive skin products are not free of irritants. They simply contain "fewer" irritants than the company's standard products.

I'm not sure why cosmetic companies still choose to include known allergens, irritants and toxins in their products. There are safe and natural ingredients that are good for your skin's health. Vitamin E, for example, is a natural preservative, that is far safer than any of the artificial preservatives on the market.

Added fragrances are some of the most common irritants. There is hardly a sensitive skin care product on the market that is free of added fragrances. Even natural fragrances can be irritating when they are concentrated. Botanical or plant extracts make some of the best sensitive skin products and they have a faint fragrance that is pleasant, without being irritating.

Petrolatum is one of the common ingredients in sensitive skin products, because it is supposed to be a "neutral substance". But, according to respected dermatologists, that ingredient strips the skin's natural oils, causing excessive dryness. Initially it causes greasiness and clogs the pores, which is not good for people that are prone to oiliness or acne. Actually, petrolatum is not good for anyone, because it can hasten the signs of aging.

Petroleum-based alcohols are another problem. If you need sensitive skin care, you should only buy solutions that contain vegetable-based or plant alcohols. Now, let's look at some ingredients that are non-irritating and good for your skin's health.

For moisturizing, especially during the day, grape seed oil is very beneficial. It has natural antioxidant activity. Is readily absorbed by the skin's cells and creates an invisible barrier that locks in moisture, without clogging the pores. In fact, the barrier helps to keep out dirt, grime and makeup, which can clog the pores.

Grape seed oil is particularly beneficial in sensitive skin products designed to repair damage around the eyes, whether caused by overexposure to the sun, smoking or just time itself. Plain grape seed oil can be purchased at gourmet food stores and is also found in some of the best facial creams and body lotions.

It can be really hard to find sensitive skin care cream that can reduce wrinkles and increase firmness. There are only a few safe and effective creams on the market. The ingredients to look for include amino acids, which are needed to produce new cells and fibers, antioxidants, which are needed to prevent and repair free radical damage, and wakame kelp, which prevents the loss of hyaluronic acid.

While you are shopping for sensitive skin products, you might also want to consider a complete nutritional supplement. In many cases skin problems are a sign of slight nutritional deficiencies. It's difficult to get complete nutrition through diet alone.

The skin's cells need nutrients just like the other cells of the body, but if you aren't getting enough, vital organs will be nourished first. Those are the basics of sensitive skin care. I hope that helps.