Education

Sensitive Skin Type

WRITTEN BY TEAM: January 4, 2024

Understanding Sensitive Skin

Skin that is sensitive reacts readily to both internal and exterior stimuli, frequently leading to discomfort or inflammation. Redness, burning, stinging, itching, flakiness, and lumps that resemble rashes are typical symptoms. Sensitive skin types may also react allergicly to some skincare or cosmetic products, and they may feel tight or uncomfortable afterwards. Sensitive skin may occasionally result from underlying medical issues or hereditary causes.

Identifying Sensitive Skin

It might be difficult to diagnose sensitive skin because each person experiences symptoms differently. Common signs and symptoms include redness, stinging, itching, burning, or dryness after using specific skincare products or after being in the sun, wind, or cold. When it comes to products or environmental influences, sensitive skin normally reacts more strongly than other skin types. Skin sensitivity can also be influenced by age, hormone fluctuations, and stress, so it’s important to pay attention to how your skin reacts to various stimuli to find out if you have sensitive skin.

Although some people may actually have extremely sensitive skin, there are times when environmental or external stimuli cause skin to become sensitised. This is transient and unrelated to skin type or genetics. While the symptoms of sensitised and sensitive skin are similar, sensitised skin is easier to treat because it is a transient condition.

Characteristics of Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin might be more prone to burning or itchy sensations and frequently displays redness, dryness, or flakiness. Sensitive skin reacts to stimuli that ordinarily wouldn’t affect it by producing unpleasant sensations. Certain skincare products or environmental circumstances may cause it to respond more aggressively, resulting in irritation or inflammation. Reduced skin lipids, ceramides, and stratum corneum moisture are common in sensitive skin. Unlike an allergic or sensitization reaction to an item or product, which is also a transient condition that can be resolved by avoiding its use, sensitive skin is not caused by this. If your skin is sensitive, a dermatologist can help you make a diagnosis. This can assist you in controlling your exposure to possible irritants and helping you choose skincare products with knowledge.

Skin’s Sensitive Texture

Sensitive skin can have a variety of textures and is typically brittle. It could seem rough, flaky, dry, and prone to breakouts or redness flare-ups. Redness and blotchiness are typical, especially after using certain skincare products or when exposed to certain environmental variables. Additionally, irritation from external stimulants can cause itchy or burning sensations on sensitive skin. This inflammation or irritation might result in a rough or bumpy texture, rashes, or hives.

Reasons for Skin Sensitivity

Hormonal imbalances and heredity play a role in sensitive skin, which can also be made worse by age, pollution, changes in the weather, stress, and food. Skin sensitivity can also be impacted by hormonal changes that occur during menopause, adolescence, and pregnancy. Skin sensitivity can be exacerbated by environmental variables including strong chemicals, perfumes, and harsh weather conditions like cold and dryness. Although the pathophysiology of sensitive skin is poorly understood, it is thought that overactivity of the skin’s sensory receptor-based neurological system is the root cause of sensitive skin. The face is frequently the site of skin sensitivity because it has a higher density of nerve endings than the majority of the body.

Handling Skin Sensitivity

It is generally advised to take a more delicate and basic approach to skincare and stay away from potential irritants when taking care of sensitive skin. Use products with a light scent and avoid components that could cause an allergic reaction. To keep moisture in the skin and irritants out, choose products that strengthen the skin barrier. Moisturise your skin frequently and shield it from the sun. To prevent irritation, patch test new products before using them, and refrain from over-exfoliating or forcefully cleaning your skin.

Which Skin Care Routine Is Best for Sensitive Skin Types?

Cleanse: To get rid of extra sebum, makeup, sunscreen, and pollutants, wash your skin right before bed. Sensitive skin may get irritated if cleaning is neglected. It is recommended to perform a double wash since an oil-based cleanser can effectively remove makeup and sunscreen while also acting as a sacrificial oil for the subsequent cleansing. To avoid overdrying, use a mild cream cleanser or one that contains humectants like betaine and glycerin as your second cleansing. If necessary, cleaning can be done first thing in the morning or done with a mild solution and a washcloth.

Exfoliate: Use a mild chemical exfoliator and do this sparingly, once a week. By doing so, you can improve the penetration of your skincare products while removing built-up dead skin cells and balancing texture and tone. To determine whether a product is skin-tolerable, always conduct a patch test before using it.

Moisturise: It is recommended to use a moisturiser both during the day and at night because dryness and a compromised skin barrier are frequently linked to sensitive skin. Seek for moisturisers that include occlusives like petrolatum or ceramides along with humectants like glycerin or beta glucan. At night, a face oil or last-step ointment can help lock in moisture.

Protect: During the day, a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 should be applied as a final step. UVA and UVB radiation should be protected from by your sunscreen. Sensitive skin types can handle a mineral-based sunscreen better.

DISCLAIMER: All articles about skin care are meant to provide information on particular ingredients and skin care subjects. We aim to provide interesting and educational content with our posts. Any allusion to a particular patient’s experience does not constitute a recommendation for medical care. Kindly take note that Prequel products containing mentioned substances are designed exclusively for cosmetic purposes and should not be used in place of medical advice or suggestions for pharmaceutical goods.