How to wear perfume if you suffer from sensitive skin
If you suffer from sensitive skin, or conditions like eczema or psoriasis, then perfume is most likely a difficult subject… whilst you might want to enjoy the wonderful scents of your go-to fragrance (and try desperately to avoid any flare-ups), they often result in rashes, dry skin and soreness; undesirable side-effects which can feel almost impossible to treat. Subsequently, many sensitive skin sufferers avoid wearing perfumes altogether. Meanwhile, many wear perfume without realising that it’s worsening their condition. As a result, countless sensitive skin sufferers fail to research the many tips, tricks and solutions which promise to solve this problem altogether. Fortunately, help is on hand to guide you; allowing you to wear and enjoy your perfume of choice without having to worry about the health and sensitivity of your skin. Richard Zuber, the Managing Director of leading cosmetics retailer Scentsational, is familiar with the struggles that sufferers often encounter and he’s now sharing his top tips on how to wear perfume if you have sensitive skin.
Ensure your skin is prepared to wear perfume
‘If you suffer from sensitive skin then it’s inevitably quite dry; dry skin is more vulnerable, so the best thing you can possibly do to prevent perfume from having a negative affect is tackle this issue head on. More specifically – keep your skin moisturised! I would recommend investing in natural, oil-enriched, perfume-free body moisturisers to help keep your skin smooth, soft and protected. If your skin continues to be dry and sensitive then of course seek appropriate advice; we’re all different, as is our skin, and so it’s important that we listen to our bodies.’
Opt for oil-based perfumes
‘Most perfumes are alcohol-based and there’s almost nothing more damaging to sensitive skin than alcohol; it’s very harsh and, as you would imagine, isn’t nourishing at all. Fortunately, perfumes do exist which are oil-based and thankfully these cause less irritation. Research also suggests that oil-based perfumes last much longer which is an added bonus! Whilst alcohol-based perfumes only last for 1-3 hours (which is probably why you’re tempted to continually top-up throughout the day), oil-based alternatives can last for up to 15 hours. This not only means the ingredients are less troublesome, it also means you can rely on fewer sprays.’
Don’t forget to test, test, test before you wear perfume!
‘Sensitive skin sufferers all have different triggers and various perfumes may irritate some of us more than others. When you buy a new perfume, be sure to patch test. For example, spray the perfume onto your neck, shoulder or another area which isn’t as sensitive, and see how your skin reacts. This gives you an invaluable opportunity to spot and address a problem before your skin suffers. If you were buying a perfume in a store, they’d encourage you to patch test. Don’t forget this advice in the comfort of your own home!’
Don’t spray perfume directly onto your skin
‘If you feel like you’ve tried it all then create some distance between your skin and your perfume. More specifically, consider spraying the outside of your clothing once you’re dressed instead of spritzing your neck and wrists directly. This will leave you smelling amazing without the perfume having to touch your skin at all!
Essentially, when it comes to wearing perfume as a sensitive skin sufferer you must recognise that extra measures need to be taken; your skin is precious and needs to be protected! This might sound inconvenient but it needn’t be, by simply researching the ingredients you’re buying and how they will affect your skin, testing it before you wear perfume, spraying your clothes if direct contact spells disaster and really knowing your own body, you can enjoy perfume – just the right perfume for you.’
For more information about Scentsational visit www.scentsational.com.
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