Unfortunately, people with sensitive skin are just as prone to acne as those people lucky enough to have regular, or even tough, skin. Acne is caused by many factors, but all acne has at its core some hormonal imbalance that causes the skin to produce too much oil. Oil builds up and combines with dead skin cells to clog pores. The clogged pores produce sebum which is bacteria and the skin becomes inflamed and infected. Stress, diet, and cleanliness can cause acne to develop or worsen. Most people go out and immediately seek over-the-counter products to treat acne. People with sensitive skin should not be as fast to try to resolve their acne with traditional products that can be even more irritating than the acne itself.

Many traditional commercial acne treatment products contain chemical that are extremely irritating to sensitive skin. Benzoyl peroxide can trigger larger rashes all around the treated area. It has even been linked to some allergies and system organ toxicity. Salicylic acid is another known irritant. It is one of the main ingredients found in aspirin. Salicylic acid can exacerbate allergies. It is known to cause birth defects so pregnant women should avoid using any product that contains salicylic acid. Retin A has many of the same side effects as salicylic acid. Many of the glycolic compounds have been connected to organ system toxicity as well.

Now that you know what doesn’t work well with sensitive skin, there are good acne treatments for sensitive skin that you can try. Start with some good strong dietary changes. Drink plenty of water daily to flush your system of toxins. Go with whole grain foods and fish. Eat less fried foods and stay away from foods rich in trans-fatty acids. Giving up large amounts of chocolate, caffeine, iodized salt, and sugar will help as well.

The source of your acne and hormonal imbalance may be worsened by stress. A good treatment to try is aromatherapy. Do physical activity or yoga to increase blood flow and make you feel healthier. It may be a bit of mind over matter, but it can help.

No matter what your type of skin, you still need to make sure you are performing proper cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. You need to make sure your cleanser is hypoallergenic to avoid irritation. You can even try washing your face with milk or yogurt. Just do not under wash which will leave your skin too oily, or over wash which will cause your skin to dry out.

When toning your skin, you might try natural ingredients such as lemon juice or oatmeal masks. What you are trying to do is to shrink your pores after they have been thoroughly cleaned so there will be less room for the buildup of oil.

Moisturizing can be accomplished by using a light coat of extra virgin olive oil on your face and leaving it on during the day. You will accomplish moisturizing without too much oiliness. Try to stay as natural and hypoallergenic as possible.

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