For those with sensitive skin, finding a body wash that doesn't leave you itchy and irritated can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. It all comes down to reading the back of the label, but with such long lists of ingredients, often too long or difficult to pronounce it can be a tedious task.
We have compiled a list of beneficial ingredients, and irritants to avoid when buying a body wash for sensitive skin.
Ingredients to look for:
Essential Oils
Naturally derived oils such as jojoba oil, macadamia oil and rosehip oil are safe to use on sensitive skin. These oils closely resemble the skin's natural sebum, containing fatty acids such as omega-3, 6 and 9 which help to regenerate skin cells and repair damaged skin tissue. These oils are also rich in Vitamin E which reduces inflammation and redness.
Aloe Vera
Well known for its healing effects, the gel from the aloe vera plant contains a powerhouse of vitamins and antioxidants that soothe and calm skin to reduce redness and irritation. Aloe vera can also improve skin tone and colour by increasing blood flow to the areas of application.
Chamomile
This flower is most commonly known for its role played in tea brews, however it is also provides incredibly regenerative and supportive results when applied topically on sensitive skin. Chamomile’s natural anti-inflammatory properties provide soothing and healing benefits and prevent irritation.
Ingredients to Avoid:
Parabens
Parabens are preservatives that are often added to cosmetic products to extend their shelf life and prevent bacteria growth. They are commonly the cause for skin sensitivities and allergies, as repeated exposure leads to the immune skin cells forming an immune response when parabens then come into contact with the skin. They also strip the skin of moisture and natural oils, resulting in inflammation, dryness, flaking, redness and irritation.
Unfortunately there are no guidelines that require products to call out the inclusion of parabens, so you will need to read the ingredients list - the most common ones to look out for include butylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben.
Sulfates
Sulfates are synthetic additives that are responsible for the foaming and lathering effect of products such as body wash. Sulfates work by attracting oil and water from the skin's surface to allow dirt and grime to be washed off.
Sulfates can irritate sensitive skin as they can strip away natural oils leading to inflammation, dryness and flaking. Sulfates to avoid on ingredient lists include Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).
Artificial Scents
Appealing fragrances can be the reason we purchase body wash products, we all want to leave the shower smelling nice! But if you have sensitive skin you should tread with caution.
Artificial fragrances are known as the one of the most common skin irritants, and a leading cause of skin reactions including contact dermatitis. Artificial fragrances are a major red flag for those with inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne and rosacea, stick to unscented or naturally scented products to avoid flare ups.
If you have sensitive skin, Bali Body has you covered with our new Body Wash. Containing all of the above soothing ingredients, with none of the nasties. Designed to soothe, cleanse and hydrate your skin, for a stress free shower experience.
Our Shower Oil is also sensitive skin safe, enriched with soothing ingredients such as chamomile and coconut oil, this formulation has been designed to soften the skin's surface and help control skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
