Very sensitive facial skin – how to care for it?

What does sensitive skin actually mean?

I self-diagnosed myself many years ago and found that my skin is delicate , sensitive and very demanding . How did these features manifest themselves?

• Dry skin – I had a hard time finding a cream that effectively moisturized and didn’t leave a slippery film on my face. In addition, after applying makeup, stubborn “peelies” were visible, and after a few hours of wearing it, I was “shining” in the T-zone.
• Allergic reactions – just when I thought I had found those PERFECT cosmetics, after some time my skin would react to them, showing its irritation with a burning sensation and local redness.
• Acne breakouts "periodic" - my menstrual cycle also had a way of playing tricks on me, and my skin, worn out by hormonal fluctuations, was more than happy to greet my PMS with breakouts , especially subcutaneous ones on my chin.

Since then, I have been under the care of a dermatologist, so it has become a bit easier for me to pamper my skin. I still have some gaps in this order, but I know more or less what to focus on in my skin care and how to support my skin.

It is difficult to clearly define and determine the characteristic features of sensitive skin. Why? Because in each of us this sensitivity can manifest itself differently!

The commonly accepted definition is the occurrence of symptoms such as redness , burning , tingling or itching due to skin contact with irritating substances or environmental factors . Studies show that about 50% of women and 40% of men claim to have sensitive skin.

Who is more predisposed to sensitive skin?

Research shows that factors that increase the risk of having sensitive skin include:

• female gender (and fluctuations in sex hormones ),
• age – between 18 and 50 years old,
• cultural customs in developed countries (this refers to popular hygiene practices in a given place and the amount and type of cosmetics used),
• race (people with black and yellow skin have higher levels of transepidermal water loss, or TEWL).

What doesn't skin like?

Sensitive skin is not a disease or illness . It is a condition that can be affected by:

External factors

Among them, we can mention:

• UV radiation – lack of proper protection may even result in burns ,
• temperature changes – redness, dilation of small blood vessels,
• strong wind – stinging, tightness and redness.

Some chemicals

Very often, skin sensitivity manifests itself after using specific cosmetics . It may result, for example, from a contact allergy to a given substance, including popular artificial perfumes or dyes.

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Stress

Stress negatively affects the functioning of the entire body , and our skin is no exception:

• Stress is associated with increased production of cortisol , which in turn affects the production of sebum – there is more of it, so acne breakouts appear more often.
• Stress can also exacerbate symptoms of skin conditions such as psoriasis , eczema and rosacea , and slow down the healing process of wounds .

Diet

Remember: we take care of our skin not only on the outside! It deserves the same care and tenderness from the inside. It is therefore worth taking a conscious approach to the issue of nutrition and limiting the consumption of spicy or fatty foods, as well as drinking sweetened, chemically colored drinks.

How to care for very dry and sensitive facial skin?

Start by properly defining the problems your skin is struggling with. For this purpose, of course, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist and start any treatment . Additionally, you should eliminate from your skin care routine those cosmetics that irritate the skin .

Cosmetics for sensitive skin – what are they?

Paulina has already written for you about a real skincare routine – take a look here , it's worth it!

I will give you some basic information on how to keep your sensitive skin clean . Cleansing

Choose mild emulsions , delicate fluids or gels . Washing your skin with inappropriate cosmetics can gradually weaken the epidermal barrier and intensify irritation.

Pay attention to the composition of cosmetics - avoid strong surface-active agents , or so-called surfactants . Popular SLS , although they foam impressively and promise deep cleansing of the skin, may not like very sensitive and reactive skin.

Preservatives are also important – pay attention to them and look for those with low allergenic effects. It is better to avoid products with preservatives high in the composition.

Moisturizing

Allantoin and panthenol – these ingredients are desirable in the care of sensitive skin, struggling with irritation and dryness. They act as a soothing compress, support the reconstruction of the epidermal barrier and soothe.

Niacinamide is also a popular ingredient in creams and emulsions for sensitive skin. Studies show that it increases collagen production (which reduces fine lines), has an antioxidant effect, and stimulates the production of ceramides, which has a beneficial effect on the hydrolipid coat .

Remember: if you are afraid that your sensitive skin will react badly to a new cosmetic, you can always do a so-called patch test. This involves rubbing a small amount of the cosmetic into a small area of ​​the skin, for example around the jaw or ear. Then you observe this place, making sure that the skin there is dry for about 24 hours.

Security

A cream with a UV filter is not just an element of summer care - you should use it all year round! Even when the sun hides behind the clouds or it rains, our skin is exposed to the harmful effects of UVA rays. The absolute minimum is filter 30!

Prevention

As I mentioned earlier, it is extremely important to support our skin from the inside. Remember to drink enough water every day to support hydration. Take care of your diet – let it be easily digestible, full of nutrients and vitamins. If you are struggling with deficiencies – discuss the necessary supplementation with your doctor.

In closing, I will share with you another anecdote from my dermatological adventures – when telling the doctor about my struggles and attempts to please my complexion, I heard that I had to definitely limit the amount of cosmetics I used. It was a time when I was not able to respond to the needs of my skin, applying layers of products, as they say, from another parish .

The dermatologist told me then: "less is more!" It's worth revising your routine and minimizing the amount of cosmetics you use to the bare minimum. The doctor said that when I feed my skin a range of different substances (with different effects), the skin goes crazy and is unable to draw from them what it needs.

I hope this article (with the bonus of my personal thoughts) will inspire you to take more conscious care of your sensitive skin.