Soothing solutions for sensitive skin

Could be something in the air -- like pollution -- or in the high-intensity products we slather on ourselves, but skin sensitivity is on the rise. Here, the simplest, most soothing solutions.

SOME "NATURAL" IS BETTER THAN OTHERS

From brightening coffeeberry serums to soothing green-tea moisturizers, natural is marketable. Believing anything natural has got to be good for you, Americans spent $62 billion on the stuff last year. But the fact is, flora-based scrubs made from abrasive fruit pits can be irritating, too. If sensitivity is your major concern, these are the ingredients you should be looking for:

• Rose and lavender work wonders in calming inflammation, according to Michele VanLandingham, ingredient information specialist for Dr. Hauschka Skin Care.
• New York dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross suggests seeking out soothing chamomile derivatives, natural toners like witch hazel, and gentle exfoliators like blueberry seeds.
• Dr. Kay Baxter, a U.K. dermatologist who tends to recommend "bland, unfragranced, nonbotanical products" to patients, uses organic aloe vera on sensitive skin.
• For extreme inflammation cases, Manhattan dermatologist Dr. Diane Berson recommends a compress of milk, water, and ice to combat itching and burning.