You can never take good care of your skin without knowing its type! Hence, The Dermo Lab has collaborated with the dermatologist Dr. Dina Kohla to reveal to you the signs that indicate you have sensitive skin.
So, if you notice the following signs, you’ll have to change your daily habits accordingly.
What Is Sensitive Skin?
Dr. Dina Kohla explains that sensitive skin gets affected more than any other skin type by environmental factors such as sun, wind, high temperature, or cold. Other factors might also irritate sensitive skin such as soaps, detergents, perfumes… in addition to hormonal imbalances, lack of sleep, and even air pollution.
So, if you ever get exposed to any of these, you might notice redness and stinging or feel a burning sensation.
Dr. Kohla points out that there are different levels of sensitive skin. Some people get bothered by a few environmental factors such as sweating or hot water and get relieved as soon as they are no longer exposed to them, while others get affected by a variety of unavoidable factors
10 Signs Your Skin Is Sensitive
“Do I have sensitive skin?” … This is one of the most commonly asked questions. So, we referred to Dr. Dina Kohla who shares with us the different signs of sensitive skin:
1- Your Skin Turns Red Easily: Redness is a common sign of sensitive skin, whether it is linked to genetic predisposition or a reaction to some ingredients.
2- You’re Prone to Rashes: If your skin is sensitive, you are more prone to rashes. So, be careful, whenever you’re going to use a new product. Test it on a small area of your skin first, and wait 24 hours to see if a rash develops before applying it to your entire body or face.
3- Skin Care Products Sting or Burn: Whether it is a face wash, moisturizing cream, foundation, or sunscreen, your skin does not interact with these products the way you want it to. This is completely normal if you have sensitive skin since you have a thinner skin barrier which leads to stinging or burning sensation.
4- You Have Dry Patches: Dryness and irritation are also signs of sensitive skin, and the longer the dryness persists, the more likely scaling will develop. For mild to moderate eczema, medicinal creams can help, but for more severe cases, patients will require topical corticosteroids to reduce flare-ups.
5- Your Skin Feels Itchy: Itchy skin is also a sign of sensitive skin, especially when in contact with hot water. Make sure you always use lukewarm water with a gentle cleanser and a ceramide moisturizer.
6- You’re Sensitive to UV Rays: When you are exposed to the sun, your skin becomes red. This photosensitivity might cause a rash on the face, shoulders, and chest.
7- You Have Broken Capillaries: These are tiny blood vessels that can be seen on the nose and cheeks. If you have sensitive skin and a very thin skin barrier, you are more prone to having broken capillaries.
8- Your Skin Doesn’t Tolerate Fragranced Products: Your skin and fragrances can never go together! So, make sure to use fragrance-free products. You should also stay away from therapeutic essential oils such as cinnamon, clove, and peppermint as they might irritate sensitive skin.
9- Your Skin Reacts Negatively to Bad Weather: You can tell if your skin is sensitive when it gets irritated by cold and wind. To relieve your flushed skin, look for products with soothing ingredients such as calendula, chamomile, and azulene.
10- Your Skin Breaks Out Easily: Since sensitive skin lacks moisture, it produces more sebum to compensate for the lack of oil. The result? Your pores become easily clogged which leads to breakouts. So, wash your skin twice a day with a gentle cleanser and rely on topical creams with non-irritating ingredients such as tea tree oil. Try to stay far from alcohol, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide which might cause irritation.
What causes sensitive skin?
In many cases, having sensitive skin is not usually a cause for serious concern, as it is probably a minor allergy or underlying skin condition.
1- Natural disposition
If a person has sensitive skin without an underlying health problem, their skin may become irritated more easily.
Many people experience irritation after exposure to
- Sunlight
- Strong winds
- Very cold temperatures
- Very hot temperatures
- Skin care products, makeup or certain types of clothing
2- Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin reaction caused by contact with a product on the skin. There are different types of contact dermatitis.
- Irritant contact dermatitis
A person can develop irritant contact dermatitis from products such as soaps, laundry detergents or even exposure to water. A non-specific inflammatory skin reaction occurs in response to the chemicals in these products. People may also react to jewelry made from metals such as nickel.
- Allergic contact dermatitis
Allergic dermatitis occurs when a person’s skin comes into contact with a product to which they are allergic.
3- Dry skin
A person with dry skin can also have sensitive skin. Skin tends to become more sensitive when it loses the moisture and protective fats that keep the skin from drying out.
Dry skin may be more likely to appear on the hands, face and arms.
4- Eczema
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a condition that usually causes dry, itchy patches of skin, although symptoms vary from person to person.
Usually, eczema occurs in children, but it can also occur in adults. The most common areas for eczema flare-ups are the face, elbows, neck, wrists, ankles and legs. These areas have rashes that are usually accompanied by itching and bumps.
5- Rosacea
People with rosacea may have red skin and visible blood vessels, usually on the face. In some people, the skin may develop a rash of small pus-filled bumps.
6- Photodermatoses
Photodermatosis is an abnormal reaction to sunlight within the skin. In people with this condition, UV rays from sunlight can trigger the person’s sensitive immune system, causing a reaction in the skin.
A reaction to sunlight in a person with photodermatoses can result in a rash, blisters or scaly patches on the exposed skin. The reaction gets worse as the sunlight hits the skin.
Ingredients to Avoid!
There are some ingredients you should avoid when choosing cosmetics and skin care products such as fragrance and dyes in addition to sulfate and exfoliating ingredients like glycolic and salicylic acid.
Also, stay away from retinoids and avoid using chemical sunscreens.
Ingredients to Count on!
Look for ingredients that nourish and maintain your skin barrier. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter are a great option for your type of skin as they improve moisture retention, as well as ceramides and fatty acids which help in the regeneration of the skin barrier.
Keep in mind that if you have sensitive skin, it doesn’t mean that you can’t wear makeup! However, go for products that are specifically designed for your skin type and don’t cause any irritation. We recommend you opt for mineral products and foundation creams with silicone base.
On top of that, always turn to products that are less likely to contain preservatives. Good for you, not all products are made of preservatives, only a few of them.
Dr. Dina Kohla also recommends you stay away from waterproof products, as you’ll need special cleansers to remove them. It is also preferred to use the pencil eyeliners instead of the liquid ones.
One last advice, get rid of all the products that have been opened and used a long time ago. The more you keep them on the counter, the more likely they will get contaminated and be unsafe to use.
To provide you with the best care for your sensitive skin, we suggest you use the following products from Eau Thermale Avène, a leading brand in sensitive skin care market:
– Hydrance Aqua-Gel: This gel-based moisturizing cream provides your sensitive skin with the nutrition it needs thanks to its natural active ingredients, not to forget the soothing properties of the Thermal Spring Water. It also contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which are two of the best moisturizing ingredients for your skin.
– Avène Thermal Spring Water: If you have sensitive skin, Avène Thermal Spring Water is a product you can’t live without! This water has therapeutic properties; it reduces redness, soothes skin irritation, and regulates skin’s natural balance. The Thermal Spring Water is very gentle on sensitive skin, you can use it right after removing your makeup to give your face extra hydration throughout the day.
– Very High Protection Fluid SPF 50+: Your sensitive skin needs a sunscreen to protect it from the harmful effects of UV rays. We recommend you wear this sunscreen which is known for its light texture that is quickly absorbed by your skin. It does not leave any white marks, and at the same time it protects skin from sun damage.
– Very High Protection Spray SPF 50+: Your sensitive body skin also needs sun protection, so make sure to use this one to protect yourself from UVA and UVB rays. It also acts as an antioxidant and prevents skin damage caused by sun exposure.
Last Updated on March 13, 2024
