First tip: Don’t fall for the “hypoallergenic” hype. It’s been said that it is great for people with sensitive skin but that is not always true. “Remember that the term ‘hypoallergenic’ is a relatively new one in the cosmetics industry, and there are no federal standards specifying which products can and can’t use it. This means that many products bearing this label aren’t always suitable for people with sensitive skin,” Ondria Witt wrote via Mommys Block Party.

If you have sensitive skin, you are also most likely more vulnerable to the elements. Being generous with the moisturizer as part of both your morning and nighttime skincare routine will protect your skin from water loss while also creating a strong barrier to protect you from the environment. “Different products will work better for different people, so shop around before you settle on just one,” Witt writes.

Having sensitive skin doesn’t mean that you can’t ever wear makeup, however it is important that you don’t just blindly purchase products with big buzz words on them. Instead, take a look at the ingredients, experiment, and do your research. Mineral powder is often made with no artificial dyes and preservatives. Silicone foundation can also be good.

Several different kinds of water-based sealers could work. For some, they are known to be gentler on sensitive skin. This Blue Marble Selr Spray is a good example.

If it is available to you, it might be good to stop using liquid eyeliner and switch to pencil instead. Liquid eyeliner often has latex in it, which can trigger a reaction.

Waterproof mascara is also not the best option, if you can avoid it. This is because it’s so strong, it often requires very harsh cleansers to remove it. We don’t want to put anything too intrusive on our face.

Obviously, especially with sensitive skin, it is so important that you cleanse your skin every day. That being said, there are also so many different types of cleansers on the market — some amazing, some not so much. “You should also be looking for a cleanser that’s made for sensitive skin… yet isn’t so gentle that it forces you to scrub really hard to get rid of makeup and any clinging grime. Be gentle on your skin; blot drying without rubbing and then following up immediately with moisturizer to ensure you get maximum absorption,” Witt writes.

It might come as a bit of a surprise, but switching your laundry detergent can actually make a difference. You want a detergent that doesn’t contain any dyes, brighteners, phosphates, enzymes, or chlorine. This works especially well for those with contact dermatitis.

Washing your bed sheets might seem like an obvious thing to do. If you have sensitive skin though, this means that you might have to wash them more frequently than usual.

Much like your bed sheets, it is just as — if not more — important to switch out your pillow cases often. Dirt and oil from your face build up over time so when you are sleeping on a pillow case that hasn’t been refreshed in a while, you’re more prone to breaking out. We are constantly shedding skin cells.

If you already wash your sheets and pillow cases often and you are wondering how can you get more protection, you can add additional layers to protect against dust mites. You can do this by using a mattress protector, a pillow protector under your pillow cases, and a comforter protector.

If you switch to a nice air filter, there is a good chance you will notice the difference in your energy and overall health. Not all air filters are the same, so definitely do your research. Also, consider putting it by your bed so you can reep the benefits while you sleep.

Having a vitamin D deficiency can be common, especially if you aren’t in the sun too often or if you use a lot of SPF. Not only can vitamin D improve your skin but it can also improve your mood, so it’s a win-win situation. This is an especially good trick in the winter, if the seasons affect your mood.

Think about everything your phone touches throughout the day: counters, tables, other people, trains, ubers, bathrooms, and more. Now think about it touching all of that and then touching your face when you go to make a phone call. Even if you only text, you touch it with your hands and then touch your face with your hands. Cleaning your phone on a daily basis can prevent breakouts.

Whether you are buying makeup or skincare products, it is crucial that you take a look at what ingredients they are made with before purchasing. Don’t just base it off of the one big word on the front of the bottle — take a closer look.

When you are looking to try a new product or an entirely new brand, it is a good idea to do a skin test with the product before applying it to your entire face. Put a small amount of the product on your skin, not your face, and wait 48 hours. See if any change or reaction occurs.

Diet really is so important when it comes to your skin. You can have all the most expensive serums but if you are eating trans fat and sugar for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the fancy products won’t work. Moreover, there are certain foods that can be causing your skin to breakout. Find what works for you!

We know, we know. This is a tale you have heard your entire life… But there is a good reason for it. Drinking water, like your diet, is essential for good skin. Staying hydrated keeps your skin hydrated and plump, all while helping to flush out toxins.

While getting your daily dose of vitamin D is so important, you also don’t want to be in the skin unprotected for too long. Too much heat can cause skin damage, burning, and premature aging. This can be avoided by wearing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

By this, we mean that everyone is on a different schedule. Just because Jane Doe washed her face once in the morning and once at night doesn’t mean that is what will work for you. If you have a job that requires a lot of makeup or causes you to get dirty, you might need to wash your face more than twice a day. Follow your intuition.

When compared to the rest of the face, the skin around the eyes is actually the most sensitive part. This means that it is extra important that you give your eyes some TLC with creams and moisturizers!

It’s no secret that smoking is bad for your skin. The toxins in cigarettes are found to damage collagen and elastin, which are the components of the skin that keep it soft and supple. If you want clear, glowing skin, smoking is not the way to go.

Of course, this is easier said than done, but high amounts of stress can absolutely have an affect on your skin. Try doing things that help reduce stress — like yoga, meditation, journaling, and spending time with loved ones — and you might just find that your skin will feel better than ever.

Like drinking enough water, getting enough sleep is another thing that we are constantly hearing about. There’s a reason for it. Getting 7-8 hours every night is absolutely key and it all goes hand-in-hand. If you get enough sleep, there’s a good chance your stress levels will decrease. If your stress is lower, you will probably sleep better. Wins all around!

When cleansing and drying off your face, it is so important to pat it dry. Don’t rub it with a rough towel, as this can irritate your sensitive skin.

If you have sensitive skin on your face, there’s a chance the rest of your body might be sensitive. It is important to take care of the rest of it. Do this by exfoliating and using nourishing body washes and moisturizers all over!

Any soaps and face washes that have harsh chemicals and preservatives can just leave your skin feeling dried out and worse overall. Mild cleaners are your best bet.

Toners that contain alcohol are not ideal and dry out your skin. Instead, try a non-alcohol toner or something like fresh rose water. Use cotton rounds, or reusable rounds, to lightly dab it on your face.

Who would have thought that, when blended together, yogurt and oatmeal actually create a great DIY mask for sensitive skin types? The combination gently removes dead skin cells while still leaving it fresh and moisturized.

You can’t really get to the bottom of what’s irking your skin without eliminating some products first. Also, using too much at once can just have the opposite affect on your skin and irritate you even more. “Generally speaking, when dealing with sensitive skin I follow the principle that less is more,” Shilpi Khetarpal, M.D., dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic, told SELF, “meaning products with less ingredients are better for those with sensitive skin.”

We previously said to figure out how much you should wash your face, but we also want to note that it is important not to over-wash. “The skin does a surprisingly good job of staying clean naturally without the need for harsh cleansers, exfoliation, and scrubbing,” Jamie B. MacKelfresh, M.D., associate professor in the department of dermatology at Emory University School of Medicine, told SELF.

Similar to the previous tip, over-exfoliating is often a temptation that many of us try to resist. “Doing so thins the protective barrier of the skin, thus allowing irritating chemicals to penetrate the skin more easily,” Suzan Obagi, M.D., director of the UPMC Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Health Center, told SELF.

Sometimes it is easy to find which ingredients specifically trigger your skin. However, sometimes, it may require you to do a couple of patch tests. Fragrances, dyes and preservatives tend to be the easiest-to-spot triggers. Basically, anything that smells good is probably not as good for you.

After you have a bad reaction, it is important to take several steps back. Cut down to using only one product for at least one week. Then, add one product back in very slowly at a time. We can be super careful and still have a reaction, it happens.

Like, very slowly. There is no shame in taking your sweet time. There will be an adjustment period and that is a-okay.

Keep your showers to 10 minutes or less if you can. And make them warm, not hot. Additionally, avoid using washcloths or loofahs, as these can also irritate your skin.

“During bathing, I recommend limiting soap to a single fragrance-free bar soap that should only be used in the armpits, groin, and buttocks, as these are the only areas with the odor-producing sweat glands (apocrine glands),” Jules Lipoff, M.D., an assistant professor of Clinical Dermatology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. “Though it makes us feel psychologically cleaner to use soap all over, it has little hygienic benefit, and in people with sensitive skin it can dry the skin out and cause problems.”

Even before we start treating it, we have to make sure we know what to look for. Does your skin only get irritated when in the sun? Does it break out easily? Does it get red or itchy? Dry? Pay close attention so that you can monitor how it’s doing.

If you have concentrated areas of breakouts, especially around the eyes, it could mean that you are touching your face too much. Imagine all the things you touch throughout the day, and then touching your face after that. Stop touching it and also wash your hands!

Instead of using soap, switch it out for a non-soap cleanser. Something like this is a good option.

If it smells good, it is probably not good for you. Products with fragrance contain the most allergens. Instead, look for things like dimethicone, glycerin, and petrolatum.

We usually assume products labeled as natural or organic are always better, but that is not necessarily the case. Plenty of natural ingredients also qualify as allergens and irritants. Lavender and tea tree oil are good examples of this.

Maybe you’ve used the same moisturizer for years and then all of a sudden, one day, it began to irritate your skin. Unfortunately, that happens. You can develop an allergy at any time because your skin changes as you age.

If your itchy skin is also flaky and tight, that means it is probably just dry and you should moisturize it. If it’s not that, you can also use an anti-itch cream like this one. If the itch is combined with hives and/or bumps, you might need an oral antihistamine.

It is very possible for your skin to become more sensitive as you age. If this is the case, try to check the anti-agers you are using. Ingredients like retinol can be an irritant. Try to stick to peptide-based products instead.

Vitamin A is another important nutrient for healthy skin. According to Cleure, it slows aging. Also, “[Vitamin A] Deficiency results in dry, flaky complexion. It’s rich in foods such as beef liver, salmon, green leafy vegetables, carrots, apricots, mangos, dairy products.”

Collagen is a great supplement to use if you are looking to keep your skin feeling strong and supple. According to Healthline, “supplemental collagen may help improve skin texture and muscle mass and reduce osteoarthritis pain.” Blend some into your smoothie every day and you’re good to go!

Exercise is a great way to sweat out any toxins through those pores. The post-workout glow is a thing for a reason! Have a good sweat, cleanse your face, and rehydrate and your skin will feel so refreshed.

Vitamin E is another great option when treating sensitive skin. It “helps reduce damage caused by the sun; improves aging skin, helps sunburn and helps prevent allergies,” and it is found in fruits, whole grains, and vegetables.

If you have tried all of these things but still haven’t found the answer, you can try paying a visit to your dermatologist. There aren’t any magical fixes, but your doctor can certainly help treat it. You could also maybe go through a patch test.