Solutions For Sensitive Skin
Without words, skin can do an impressive job of expressing itself. Redness, minor swelling, dryness and itching are the skin’s way of saying it’s unhappy and that something has agitated it. This is usually referred to as sensitive or touchy. “Sensitive skin is a colloquial term that describes skin that is easily reactive or irritated,” says Dr. Jaggi Rao, a dermatologist in Edmonton. What your skin might not say is how it got into such a tizzy. It certainly won’t reveal how to soothe and comfort it. That’s where we come in - to tell you what your skin can’t. Keep reading to better understand your sensitive skin and its needs.
The cause of sensitivity
Your face is the most common site of sensitivity, but it can occur anywhere on your body. Sensitivity is triggered by contact with an irritant or allergen, says Rao. Irritants can be any number of things, including skincare products, aesthetic procedures, such as exfoliation or facial peels, or environmental elements such as the sun. What irritates one person’s skin may not upset the skin of another. Meanwhile, contact allergens can include nickel, fragrance mixes, preservatives, chemicals like formaldehyde and even specific skincare items.
Both causes of sensitivity result in the same symptoms - redness, minor swelling, dryness and itching - so it’s hard to decipher which is at the root of your irritation, says Rao. But it’s worth finding out, so you know how to appropriately care for your skin to reduce and prevent sensitivity. To determine the cause, visit your dermatologist, who can perform an allergy patch test. If you’re allergic to something, you’ll get a list of the common products containing the offending substance, he says. If the results reveal that allergies aren’t an issue, then irritants are likely the cause of your touchy skin. Sometimes the irritant will be evident, other times not. When it’s unknown, use a barrier protector such as a moisturizer to shield your skin from the mystery annoyance.
Are you sensitivity-prone?
Anyone can develop sensitive skin, however you’re most vulnerable to it if you have environmental allergies, says Rao. “One reason is that you have an increased immune response to various things, so it’s very likely you might also have direct sensitivity to topical medications and applications,” he explains. Plus, if you have an allergic reaction to a food, for example, your skin becomes hyper-reactive and gets irritated quickly.
The condition of your skin also influences your susceptibility to sensitivity. For example, the drier your skin, the more reactive it will be to irritants, says Rao. Having eczema also greatly increases your chances of having skin reactions. “If you put certain products on eczemic skin, it will be very sensitive, because the skin is already inflamed,” he says.
Treatment and prevention
There are simple things you can do to help resolve and ward off sensitivity problems. First, avoid the irritant or allergen that’s agitating your skin. Next, combat dryness by increasing the moisture content of your skin. (Remember, the drier your skin, the more reactive it will be.) To do so, bathe instead of shower. “The bath will saturate it (your skin) with water. If you take showers, most of the water is actually repelled off your body,” explains Rao. He recommends soaking for at least 10 minutes in pure water - don’t add things such as oils or oatmeal, as they prevent H2O from penetrating the skin - washing with soap and shampoo thereafter. Gently pat your skin with a towel, leaving it slightly damp. Apply moisturizer immediately to seal in the water’s hydration and to block the effects of any possible irritants you may come in contact with later on.
The right products
To keep sensitive skin calm, choose products carefully. Usually, it’s best to choose ones with the least amount of ingredients. “The more preservatives there are, the greater the chance of irritation,” Rao says. People commonly react to ingredients that give products their longevity and fragrance. It’s also sensible to shy away from items that dry out your skin, such as soaps and alcohol-based toners. Use of abrasive or harsh products, such as manual or acid-based exfoliators, should be kept to a minimum.
When shopping for skincare products, keep in mind that statements and promises on labels can be misleading. For example, hypoallergenic isn’t a regulated claim and it doesn’t guarantee you won’t react. The surest way to know if a product is suitable for your skin is to test it. “Take a bit and put it on a non-cosmetically sensitive area - the side of your cheeks, behind your ears or on your upper inner arm - and leave it there for 24 hours. If there’s no reaction, then you go forward,” Rao says.
The one must-have product for sensitive skin is moisturizer. Apply it after bathing and cleansing and throughout the day to seal in moisture and protect your skin from potential irritants. Consider Avène Rich Compensating Cream, a moisturizer designed with sensitive skin in mind. If you wear makeup, then you also need a gentle cleanser, free of soaps and drying detergents, such as Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser.
