How to Make Your Sensitive Skin Dance with Delight
Revealing the Top Tip A Celebrity Esthetician's Game-Changing Advice for Sensitive-Skin Clients
Celebrity esthetician shares skincare advice for sensitive-skin clients.

Having sensitive skin can be a real buzzkill when it comes to trying out new beauty products. It’s like being stuck in a fashion show with a wardrobe malfunction – you miss out on all the fun and excitement! But fear not, my fashion-forward friends, because there’s a way to make your sensitive skin groove with the best of them. Cue the expert advice from the fabulous celebrity esthetician, Shani Darden!
Treat Your Sensitive Skin like the VIP It Is
Acne, dark spots, rough texture – these skin concerns don’t discriminate, even against sensitive skin. So instead of sitting on the sidelines, Shani Darden suggests integrating treatment actives into your routine with style and grace. It’s like finding the perfect dance partner who knows all your moves! But here’s the secret sauce: pairing those potent formulas with an otherwise gentle skincare routine. That way, you’ll enjoy all the benefits without any irritating side effects.
“Let’s say you’re using an acne serum; then you need to be using a gentle cleanser, and you need to make sure your moisturizer is also gentle—and it doesn’t have retinol or something in it,” she says. “You just need to be really careful.”
Picture this: you’re at a high-end boutique, selecting the perfect outfit for a night out. The salesperson whispers in your ear, “Remember, darling, the key is in the details. Subtle elegance is your secret weapon!” Well, the same goes for your skincare routine. Sometimes, it’s crystal clear when a moisturizer contains retinol or chemical exfoliants, but other times it’s a well-kept secret. Investigate your selections by checking the ingredient list or consult a dermatologist or esthetician for a little fashion advice.
Don’t Overdo It – Less is More
Imagine you’re at a chic Parisian café, sipping your espresso and enjoying a delectable croissant. Suddenly, the waiter brings you a feast fit for a king – a tower of pastries and desserts. As glamorous as it may be, attempting to devour the entire tower in one go would be a recipe for disaster. The same goes for your skincare routine. Using too many active ingredients, or the same active in too many products at once, is like overdosing on fashion trends – it’s a surefire way to upset your skin barrier, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Once that oh-so-important barrier becomes compromised, not even Coco Chanel herself could save you from the reactions. So, it’s paramount to protect and nourish it with non-irritating moisturizers, cleansers, and hydrating serums while integrating those targeted treatments. Think of it as Coco Chanel’s advice for everyday fashion: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” In this case, it’s saying, “Before you dive into that treatment step, make sure your routine is gentle and balanced.”
Now, let’s say your skin has more than one desire – maybe you want to age gracefully while shedding those dead skin cells. In that case, you need a skincare routine that’s as dynamic as a Broadway performance. Enter the “skin cycling routine,” a term coined by the brilliant board-certified dermatologist, Whitney Bowe, M.D., FAAD. It’s like a choreographed dance routine for your skin, where you rotate your treatment step over four days in the following order, as recommended for sensitive skin:
- Exfoliation
- Retinol
- Recovery
- Recovery
Just like a well-executed ballet, on recovery nights, stick with barrier-supporting serums only. Give your skin a break and prevent it from feeling overwhelmed. Ah, the art of balance and rhythm!
When in Doubt, Listen to Your Skin’s Melody
Imagine this: you’re at a fabulous soirée, sipping champagne and dancing the night away. Suddenly, the DJ’s choices take a dramatic turn, and the whole crowd stops in shock. The melody is harsh, and the beats are jarring. It’s a fashion disaster on the dancefloor! Well, if you’ve tried integrating a specific active ingredient only to be met with flushing and stinging, consider that your skin’s way of saying, “Darling, that’s just too harsh for me.”
To avoid this awkward scenario, keep an eye out for actives designed for sensitive skin. It’s like finding the perfect little black dress that accentuates all your best features without causing any discomfort. Look for formulas made without fragrance, like some of the A+ treatments from Shani Darden Skincare. Your skin will thank you!
And if you’re still not sure if you have sensitive skin in the first place (we’ve all been there!), fret not. Here’s a little fashion show with six common signs and some natural remedies to help you find your sense of style.
The Final Look – Tips from the Beauty Runway
If you’re worried about overwhelming your sensitive skin, trust us, you’re not alone in this fast-paced fashion world. Shani Darden’s advice is simple yet glamorous: use actives within an otherwise gentle skincare routine. It’s like accessorizing with just the right amount of bling – enough to make a statement but not steal the show. And if you want even more beauty wisdom from this skincare superstar, tune into the Clean Beauty School podcast below. It’s the ultimate front-row seat to all things fabulous!
Now it’s your turn, my beauty mavens! Share your experiences and tips for taking care of sensitive skin. Let’s create a fashion-forward community where everyone can slay with confidence!