What is Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive skin isn’t a disease that a doctor can diagnose you with. It is generally used to describe skin with reduced tolerance to the application of cosmetics and personal care products. In surveys, approximately 50% of women and 40% of men may report having sensitive skin.
It’s usually a symptom of another condition. You may not even know you have sensitive skin until you have a bad reaction to a cosmetic product, like soap, moisturizer, or makeup. Conditions that cause sensitive skin are rarely serious. You can usually keep your symptoms under control with a few simple changes to your skin care routine.
How Can You Tell If You Have Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive skin is skin that is more reactive than usual. It is easily irritated by the elements, like wind, sun, heat, cold, or by topical products. Other potential triggers can include hormones, lack of sleep, and even air pollution. When exposed to one of these triggering elements, sensitive skin may burn or sting, turn red, or otherwise feel very uncomfortable.
Dr. Ingky elaborates, "sensitive skin is caused by nerve endings in the top layer of skin becoming irritated." The irritation of nerve endings occurs when the skin's natural barrier is weakened or broken down by triggers. Another potential trigger is skin-care products. Those with sensitive skin are generally more reactive to soaps, detergents, dyes, and fragrances in topical products. It can result in itchiness, dryness, and reddening. This is why your skin-care routine is probably the most telling factor in whether or not you truly have sensitive skin.
Are There Different Types of Sensitivity?
Just like there are varying degrees of severity for oiliness, dryness, and acne, there are also different levels of sensitive skin. According to our dermatologist, sensitive skin can generally be divided up into four main types: naturally sensitive, environmentally sensitive, reactive, and thin.
Naturally sensitive skin: This one is genetic. It can be linked to inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.
Environmentally sensitive skin: As its name implies, this type of sensitivity is triggered by your environment. Sun exposure, cigarette smoke, air pollution, anything your skin comes into contact with might send it into a stinging, irritated frenzy.
Reactive skin: This type of skin becomes red and inflamed by skin-care products, resulting in very red, warm and irritated skin. Often patients will notice papules or pustules forming where the irritant was placed.
Thin skin: As we age, our skin naturally becomes thinner, and thinner skin is easier to irritate.
Which Skincare Ingredients Should Sensitive Skin Types Avoid?
Since there are varying degrees and causes of sensitive skin, everyone is different. A dermatologist is your best bet for figuring out your own individual trigger. However, generally speaking, those with sensitive skin would be wise to avoid using personal-care products that contain fragrances and dyes. The same rules apply for the skin on your body, even using laundry detergent that is heavily scented or contains dye can cause a reaction. Therefore, switch to detergents that are formulated specifically for sensitive skin.
When it comes to skincare, you can choose products that are recommended by The Eczema National Association as your reference. One of the skincare brands that suits sensitive skin is CeraVe. Most of their products contain ceramides. Ceramides can help form a protective layer over your skin. Do you like to learn more? We are here to help! SkynFyx is run by a group of skin doctors and skincare experts who want everybody to achieve flawless skin at the cheapest possible cost. We customize a skincare range just for your skin condition. SkynFyx is also a platform that provides completely free skincare education. We provided a pool of information such as Blogs and Videos for FREE! Feel free to contact us if you have any inquiries concerning skincare.
Join the conversation