Itching, dry spots, and red blotches—oh my! Sensitive skin can (apparently) strike at any time. According to recent studies, up to half of the population has sensitive skin, with women experiencing more problems than males. Furthermore, persons with inflammatory skin disorders such as eczema, acne, or rosacea are more vulnerable to the symptoms of sensitive skin.

Fortunately, there are skincare regimens designed expressly for persons suffering from this condition, whether it is temporary (such as a sunburn or contact dermatitis) or long-lasting. In this article, we’ll go over the ideal ingredients for sensitive skin either creating your own products or looking for the holy grail regimen. Plus, we’ll serve up components that can cause a poor reaction so you can avoid them.

Essential Tips For Making Skin Care Products

1. Know your Ingredients

The first thing anyone should know is which ingredients are best for specific skin concerns such as acne, pigmentation, blemishes, wrinkles, and so on. This is because selecting the right ingredients for the formula will be a boon, whereas anyone wrong ingredient will be a curse. When formulators choose herbal ingredients then they must know at least

• Past History of the material
• Description – For the identification of the material
• Chemical Composition of raw ingredient –For nature and purpose of use
• Which part of the plant has the highest active constituents – Same part should be used
• The procedure of isolating active constituent from raw ingredient – So that correct method and solvent should be used 

Let’s explain with an example to clear up your confusion, you are planning to prepare a shampoo and you have chosen Embellica (amla) for it then, 

• Past history: Amla is used in Ayurvedic medicine internally as well as externally.
• Description: It is organic. Fresh fruit is yellowish green in colour, after drying its colour changes to blackish brown.
• Chemical Composition: Rich in Vitamin C, Flavonoids, etc
• The procedure of isolating active constituents from raw ingredients – Vitamin C is water soluble and can be extracted using water as a solvent. i.e Water extract of amla can be used in products if you are adding it for its Vitamin C content.

Nothing can stop you from creating the Best Homemade Skincare Product if you are successful in selecting the best ingredients. To begin making your own skincare product, you must first understand the proper ratio of each ingredient to the vehicle or base.

An excessive or insufficient amount may ruin the overall formula and effect.  You should not choose ingredients that are not only good for your skin but also good for your health. Numerous blogs and videos are available on YouTube, but we must exercise caution when using them.

Incorporate as far as natural materials including preservatives, perfumes, antioxidants, or other additives. Preservatives can help to prevent microbial growth and extend the life of a product.

Yeast, bacteria, or fungi produce numerous contaminants. As a result, preservatives protect against it. However, make certain that these ingredients do not react with each other and form an obnoxious odour i.e they should be compatible with each other.

2. Use proper weighing scales

When weighing quantities of ingredients and mixing them in a finished product, weighing or measuring is an extremely important step.  After transfer, there should not be more than a 0.5% difference in weighed and transferred quantity.

Although there are a few factors to consider for accurately weighing, the process is fairly simple. Butter paper would have to be weighed before and after transfer to determine the true weight of the material when weighing small quantities.

If you are weighing multiple ingredients, each one must be weighed separately.

Begin by weighing with a set of digital scales that are calibrated in milligrams. The best weighing scale for ingredients is one that is compact, highly accurate, robust, and has an enclosure.

Ensure the weighing pan is clean and the scale correctly calibrated. Place your material on the scale on the butter paper using a spatula. Just keep in mind to take the butter paper first! Finally, enter the weight into the display.

3. Use of proper Utensils

Any metal other than stainless steel, as well as plastic, should be avoided. Copper and brass react with raw materials, increasing the likelihood of spoilage. The best option is borosilicate glass, which can be used even if the ingredient is heated or melted directly on the burner.

All utensils you can use should be collected before starting any activity because running for the spatula is not wise after starting the manufacturing procedure.

4. Use dry, clean, and sterile utensils

It is very important to use clean dry and sterile utensils. Sterilization of utensils at home can be done by keeping clean dry utensils in an oven maintained at 50⁰ C for one hour or wiping them with 70% ethanol. In case you use moist utensils there are chances of spoilage even if you put in the best preservative system.   

5. Carry out all activities in the aseptic technique

The place where you are performing should be clean and aseptic. Ensure that the room is free from dust, insects, mosquitoes or any flies or rodents. The room temperature should be comfortable. It is advisable to wear all types of protective garments such as hand gloves, caps, masks, etc.

Some aseptic techniques are given below;

• Always use 70% ethanol to clean your hands and your work area.
• Before using the containers, utensils, and spatulas, wipe them with 70% ethanol.
• Avoid directly pouring ingredients from bottles.
• Always cap bottles and flasks after use and tape or place them in closed containers in re-sealable bags to prevent microorganisms and airborne contaminants from entering.
• Never expose a sterile flask, bottle, petri dish, or another container to the environment until you are ready to use it. 
• Only use sterile glassware and equipment.
• When performing sterile procedures, avoid talking, singing, or whistling.
• To minimize contamination, conduct your experiments as quickly as possible.

6. Prepare the appropriate amount

Because it is difficult to predict the expiry date of homemade products, it is critical to producing them in smaller quantities. Because using new skin care formulations rather than the same ones over and over is preferable.

Read Also: The Impact of Personal Care on Mental Health and Wellbeing

However, you can add preservatives and antioxidants to keep it from spoiling. Also, when using a water-based product, make sure it’s in a small amount suitable for one-time use.

7. Use proper container

Cosmetic container materials are a source of concern for both safety and sustainability. The container must protect the product from environmental elements while also moving toward environmentally friendly.

Containers should not be affected by factors such as chemical composition, and biology. It is critical that the container be resistant to mold and fungus as well as contaminants.

The container must be made of materials that can withstand extreme heat or cold. It must also protect the product from ultraviolet rays, which can cause damage.

The container should not absorb product ingredients. Cosmetics have traditionally been housed in plastic or glass containers as these are inert and do not react with raw materials. 

8. Store in a cool dry place

Products will last longer if they are stored in a cool, dry place. If you expose your new serum to too much light, it may appear iridescent. However, it has the potential to degrade the quality of your product as well as damage it. Skin care products should be stored at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.

However, if you want to maximize the shelf life of your skincare products, you should consider refrigerating some of them. The cooling effect of a refrigerator can be used to preserve products on its own. 

There are a few things to consider when storing skincare products in the bathroom.

First, ensure that all products are tightly closed and sealed to prevent water or moisture from entering.

Second, keep products cool and dry, away from direct sunlight or heat. Finally, keep products away from children. By following these simple guidelines, you can extend the life and effectiveness of your skincare products.

Natural Ingredients for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin could be a result of underlying skin carrier malfunction and inflammation. That’s why it’s a good idea to adopt a regimen that focuses on protecting or mending the skin barrier while also relaxing and moisturizing it. Natural ingredients, that your skin is familiar with and prefers, are always a safe bet for quiet, soothed skin.

Here are our top natural ingredients for sensitive skin.

1. Aloe Vera

Many people turn to aloe vera as a timeless solution for sunburns, cuts, and scrapes. Just a dab can help calm inflammation, and its antimicrobial properties help speed up the healing process. In skincare, it works much in the same way. Aloe vera is a natural ingredient that can hydrate and soothe the skin. It can come in a liquid or gel form, perfect for moisturizers, creams, gels, and masks

2. Centella Asiatica

Centella asiatica (also known as Gotu kola or Tiger Grass) is a perennial herb grown in Asia that contains active compounds that serve as antioxidants. In addition, it has a rich source of amino acids. It’s both hydrating and quite effective at calming the skin during flare-ups, such as after a chemical peel, IPL treatment, or between retinol applications.

3. Edelweiss Extract

Edelweiss extract comes from a flower that grows in the Swiss Alps. It has
antibacterial, anti-blemish, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It also contains lignans, a type of compound that has a natural skin-calming benefit, as well as leontopodic acid, which strengthens the skin’s barrier–making it more resilient against environmental stressors.

4. Seaweed

Seaweed isn’t just the perfect blanket for sushi. It’s also a great ingredient for skincare. Seaweed is a powerful concentration of seawater that holds minerals, vitamins, amino acids, lipids, and proteins inside. This can help soothe inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea and acne. The magnesium and zinc in it can also help reduce redness. When formulating skincare products, it’s important to note that there are actually quite a few different types of seaweed you can use to target specific skin issues.

For example, here are some other types we recommend:

• Brown seaweed (algin) is listed as alginic acid on skincare labels. It’s great for lotions, moisturizers, and creams since it also helps replenish moisture in the skin. It’s also a thickening agent that helps create a rich, creamy texture.
• Red seaweed (Chondrus crispus) is also referred to as carrageenan.  This extract is great for anti-aging skincare since it’s filled with antioxidants, peptides, and polysaccharides. It is also useful in formulations to thicken products and as an emulsifier.
• Spirulina is a dark green powder many consumers have experienced in a supplement or a smoothie. However, it’s a great skincare ingredient for sensitive skin since it’s rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients. It has antimicrobial properties and can reduce the appearance of dark spots and dark circles under the eyes

5. Shea Butter

For those who find their skin getting irritated from fancy lotions and creams, they may benefit from taking things back to the basics. Shea butter is a natural ingredient that works like an emollient to soften and hydrate the skin. It is especially effective at treating eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis, as well as minimizing scars and stretch marks.

6. Green Tea

Green tea has long been used for medicinal purposes. In recent years, green tea extract has become a popular ingredient for skincare due to the polyphenols that act as an antioxidant to help heal sun-damaged skin and prevent further damage.

7. Oatmeal

Oat extract and oat oil have long been used to treat minor skin conditions and balance the skin’s microbiome—that is, the millions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live on your skin and serve as a physical barrier to protect the skin and keep irritants out. Taking an oatmeal bath was a celebrated solution to dry, itchy skin for centuries (and is still recommended to this day). Today, it’s used in a number of skincare items, from body wash to face creams.

8. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel (hamamelis virginiana) is also a natural ingredient, although many people may overlook it since it resembles rubbing alcohol in the drugstore. Originating from a shrub that’s indigenous to the United States, it’s been used for centuries as a remedy for skin ailments related to irritation and inflammation. 

For those with sensitive skin and acne or clogged pores, witch hazel is a holy grail. That’s because many products that target acne (such as those with salicylic acid) can be too irritating for sensitive skin. Witch hazel, however, is a naturally effective herbal extract that can unclog pores by removing excess oil. It’s commonly used in toners or in a spray bottle.

When formulating skincare for sensitive skin, the best thing to do is keep it simple. It’s important to keep the skin balanced and healthy and not overwhelm it with too many ingredients at once. Let’s recap some of the key ways to create an effective, consumer-friendly regimen:

• Use non-foaming agents or opt for gel-based cleansers
• Use natural ingredients and only add the necessary ingredients
• Keep the regimen simple, focusing on hydration and maintaining the skin barrier
• Use caution when working with known irritants such as fragrance, retinol, and AHAs