Why do I have Sensitive Skin?
Despite what you may have heard, sensitive skin isn’t considered a medical condition. Sensitive skin usually means the skin has become irritated, red, swollen and/or itchy due to either use of a certain product or a change in environment.
The term is also used to describe changes to a person’s skin in response to allergic reactions.
Why can skin be sensitive?
There are several reasons why someone’s skin can be sensitive, however the most common is that skin is reacting negatively to a certain product or possibly some combination of products.
Let’s have a look at your daily skin care regime, specifically the number of products you use such as:
- Soaps.
- Cleansers.
- Toners.
- Blemish reducers.
- Blemish concealers.
- Foundation.
- Blush.
- Facial masks.
- After shave lotion.
There are so many products that people put on their face that the list is practically endless!
Just like so many other people you’re probably using products made by several different companies, and believe it or not, this is not at all good for some people’s skin.
Causes of sensitive skin.
Trying to identify the source of sensitive skin is not always as simple as discontinuing use of a particular product.
Because of the nature of sensitive skin, it can take hours or even days before any signs of sensitivity show up. And it may not have even been caused by a product.
Sun exposure can produce skin problems, and so can extremely hot water. And so can:
- Laundry detergent.
- Fabric softeners.
- Shampoo.
- Perfume.
- Hair spray.
- Household cleaning products.
There are so many products that are used for so many reasons every day that could easily be the cause of sensitive skin.
For some people there are certain foods that will cause an allergic reaction and even some plants can cause symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Because it’s able to act as an effective barrier, healthy skin is less sensitive. Skin that is most often sensitive is:
- Sunburned skin.
- Skin that’s excessively dry.
- Skin that is otherwise damaged.
One reason why people who don’t normally have sensitive skin develop skin sensitivity during winter months is because the dry, cold air strips their skin of its protective moisture.
How to treat sensitive skin
It’s important to know what is causing the skin to become sensitive before it can be treated.
You should always talk to your doctor or seek the advice of a dermatologist because you may have a skin condition such as:
Here are some tips for treating sensitive skin.
Always read the product labels – the fewer ingredients, the better and avoid products containing:
- Alcohol.
- Fragrances.
- Botanicals.
- Antibacterial.
- Ethanol.
- Propylene glycol.
Always spot test new facial products by applying it to a small area before applying it to entire face.
First apply a few small dabs behind ears for 5 days, and if there’s no reaction, apply a small amount just in front of ears for another 5 days. If you don’t experience a negative reaction, then the product should be safe to use on entire face.
Select natural fabrics like 100% cotton or silk instead of synthetic materials for pillowcases and washcloths. And have a look at your cotton balls; although they may look like cotton, some are really polyester.
When cleaning your skin, be gentle and avoid harsh products such as:
- Scrubbing mitts.
- Harsh soaps.
- Excessively hot water.
- Abrasive exfoliating products.
Be sure to eat a well balanced diet to ensure your skin gets the nutrients it needs to look, feel and stay healthy.
Also be sure to keep your skin moist and always apply sun protection when out in the sun.
~To your health and well-being.
Healthy Nutritional Products.
