Does your skin have a sensitive side? Caring for this type of skin can be difficult — and choosing the right skin care products can feel like rolling the dice. One mistake and you could worsen your temperament, causing a variety of unpleasant symptoms. Here’s everything you need to know about sensitive skin, plus our tips for keeping it calm, cool and collected.
What is sensitive skin?
With its wide variety of symptoms, sensitive skin does not manifest itself in the same way for everyone. Its severity can range from mild discomfort to severe reactions, and its frequency can range from occasional flare-ups to more persistent, daily sensitivity. If you’re already sure you have sensitive skin, check out this skin care routine designed for your skin type.
Eminence Organics Product Support Representative and Certified Esthetician Josie Burton says: “Sensitive skin is usually described as skin that endures the regular occurrence of unpleasant sensations such as heat, stinging, burning and tingling caused by forms of stimulation that would not normally produce this type of reaction in a ‘normal’ skin type. ” This skin type often experiences unpleasant sensations such as heat, stinging, burning and tingling from stimuli that normally do not cause such reactions normal skin.
Irritant Sensitivity Vs. Allergic sensitivity
According to Dr. Hooman Khorasani, Dermatologist and Plastic Surgeon, there are two different types of sensitivity — irritant sensitivity and allergic sensitivity.
“Irritation sensitivity is something that irritates everyone’s skin and is independent of your immune system. Although most skin reacts to an irritant, someone with sensitive skin would see a more dramatic reaction,” he explains. Dr. Khorasani. These symptoms may include itching, redness, dryness, rashes or rashes. In comparison, an allergic sensitivity depends on your immune system and requires prior exposure to the allergen. Because an allergic sensitivity is due to each specific immune system, unlike an irritant sensitivity, only a portion of the population is affected.
Regardless of the causes, sensitive skin is a type of skin, caused by a genetic predisposition to skin sensitivity and irritation. It is also a common symptom of genetic conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and rosacea. You can’t change your skin type, but you can adjust your daily habits and skin care routine to manage its symptoms.
How to know if you have sensitive or sensitized skin
Another point of confusion with your potentially sensitive skin is whether it is sensitive at all — or whether it is actually sensitized. Sensitized skin is a skin condition characterized by skin irritation that builds up over time due to environmental influences and lifestyle choices. Skincare by Alana says, “Some of the biggest triggers for skin sensitisation are pollution, stress and alcohol consumption.” Unlike sensitive skin, the symptoms of sensitized skin can be “fixed” over time with targeted skin care products and lifestyle changes.
Sensitive and sensitized skin share a key characteristic — a disrupted lipid barrier. Your skin’s lipid barrier is its protective, oily outer layer that performs two functions: It keeps water in and environmental stressors (like UV rays, harsh chemicals, and pollution) out. Emily Newsom, MD he says SELF: “You can think of your skin barrier as a brick wall with mortar between the skin cells.” On sensitive or sensitized skin, this mortar is weakened and more permeable. When an irritant penetrates the lipid barrier, your immune system triggers an inflammatory response. This response, characterized by redness, pain and itching is what you experience as sensitivity.
Symptoms & signs of sensitive skin
Signs of sensitive and sensitized skin also overlap. However, the symptoms of sensitized skin often disappear once its lipid barrier is restored, while in sensitive skin they tend to be more persistent. Screen both a series of symptoms that appear minutes to hours after contact with a specific ingredient or environmental trigger. Here are five telltale signs of sensitive skin:
1. It washes off easily
Either you Face flushes after cleansing or simply from being exposed to a gust of cold wind, your skin’s tendency to flush is a sign that its barrier function has been compromised.
Everyday Health says: “Whether your face is red after cleansing or just dealing with a gust of cold wind, your skin’s tendency to redden is a sign that its barrier function has been compromised.” This redness results from an inflammatory response, with blood rushing to the surface of the skin to promote healing.
2. Prone to rashes & bumps
When the sensitive facial skin is exposed to a trigger, it often reacts with a red, scaly or bumpy rash. Health scores she says this is especially true for topical products like face serums and moisturizers that are meant to stay on the skin rather than wash off.
3. Itching
Sensitive skin often feels itchy and tight, especially after using cleansers with harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances. It is often accompanied by dryness and/or dehydration, which can also leave the skin feeling itchy and dry.
4. Sting or Burn beauty products
Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi he says Allure:”You know you have sensitive skin if the majority of products you put on your skin cause itchiness or redness.Because sensitive skin has a broken lipid barrier, fragrances and active ingredients can penetrate more easily and deeplycausing a stinging, burning or stinging sensation.
5. Reactions to fragrance
Dermatologists agree that perfume is one of the most notorious causes of skin irritation and sensitivity. From laundry detergent to personal care products, many consumer products contain synthetic fragrances that can cause a reaction on sensitive skin.
In addition to avoiding irritants, you can follow a sensitive skin care routine with gentle products without harmful chemicals such as added parabens, petroleum jelly, mineral oils, propylene glycol, or sodium lauryl sulfate. Look for soothing ingredients like chamomile, calendula and stonecrop that heal and soothe redness.
Not sure if you have sensitive skin? Watch this In The Mix as Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar presents three easy steps to categorize your skin.
To learn more about what you can do for sensitive skin, check out this step-by-step skincare routine designed for your skin type. Let us know in the comments below or on social media how you deal with your skin type.
