Sensitive skin is not a clinical term but one that is used to describe skin that is easily irritated because it tends to refer to a range of symptoms (like redness, burning, itching, and peeling) that are linked to the sensitivity of the skin.
Signs of sensitive skin
Stinging, itchiness, redness, and flakiness are common traits of sensitive skin. However, if these symptoms are persistent, it could be a sign of a skin condition that may often be confused with sensitive skin. Two such conditions are:
1. Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic and inflammatory condition that primarily affects women with lighter skin. If your skin is itchy, stinging or burning, and it looks like you are always blushing, with signs of little bumps that just won’t go away, it may be wise to visit the dermatologist to establish if you have rosacea.
2. Eczema
Dry, red, itchy skin may be a sign of eczema – a skin condition believed to be caused by the overreaction of your immune system to irritants and allergens. Eczema can occur at any but is more prevalent in children. There are seven types of eczema: seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, contact dermatitis, nummular eczema, and stasis dermatitis.
Let’s take a closer look at atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition, which most people refer to as eczema. It is characterised by very itchy skin and usually starts in early childhood. In young children, it is typically triggered by certain foods, but other well-known culprits are dust mites and animal dander, as well as skin contact with irritants like soap or wool.
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a rash that shows up on the skin a short time after it has been directly exposed to a triggering substance. It can last for a couple of weeks and is often caused by irritants in some plants, common alloys in jewellery (like nickel), and fragrances. You may experience a wide variety of symptoms: some people get blistery rashes, other people’s skin dries up and cracks; swelling and burning can occur and people have also reported experiencing leathery patches.
Allergic urticaria
Urticaria can be either acute or chronic, and is characterised by urticarial lesions (hives) that may be prompted due to physical, allergic, or autoimmune causes. Look out for swollen patches that don’t subside within 24 hours.
What can I do to support my sensitive skin?
Do a patch test
Everyone’s skin is unique, and that is also the case with skin sensitivity. Your skin might be triggered by ingredients that others don’t have problems with and vice versa. To avoid possible issues with new sensitive skin products, it is always a good idea to conduct a patch test by applying a small amount of the product to the skin on the inside of your forearm, to see if it elicits a reaction.
Steer clear of harsh ingredients
Try to steer clear of ingredients that are known irritants that trigger sensitisation in the skin.
Go to the derm
The skin is your largest organ and is extremely complex. Doctors who specialise in the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders are called dermatologists. These are the professionals that will be able to give you the best insight and guidance for your distinct problem. They can also help you better understand what products or treatments to use for sensitive skin.
Wear sunscreen
Wearing sunscreen is crucial if you suffer from photosensitivity, and it is the cornerstone of any good skincare routine. Choose a moisturiser that has an SPF of 15 or more, with additional UVA protection, if possible. If your day cream doesn’t contain any protection – use a separate sunscreen for sensitive skin.
Eat better (and drink more water)
Your skin is obviously vastly impacted by what you put into your body, and a lot of food allergies will result in itchiness, a rash, redness, and/or hives. But our modern diet also contains a lot of things that inflame our system and that mess with our bodies’ pH – think refined carbs, sugars, processed meats, etc. However, it is not possible to avoid absolutely everything that will wreak havoc on your system, and it is best to always aim for moderation.
Drinking water helps the body to do the things it needs to do to support healthy skin. You can drink water, or you can eat water-rich foods like watermelon and cucumber. Although sufficient water intake won’t impact your skin’s hydration directly, it is key to the production of healthy new collagen and elastin.
Try Celltone’s Sensitive Skin products
Specially formulated to alleviate the common issues associated with sensitive skin, our Sensitive Skin range is available at Dischem and Clicks.
PLEASE NOTE: The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only and does not provide a substitute for professional medical advice.
If you have any questions about our face products for sensitive skin, you can #AskCelltone by sending us a WhatsApp message to +27 83 123 4567.
List of references:
Allergic Skin Conditions
https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/allergic-skin-conditions
Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Urticaria: Cutaneous manifestations of Immunodeficiency
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5199140/
Contact dermatitis
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/contact-dermatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352742
Rosacea Treatment: Review and Update
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7858727/
Sensitive skin: closing in on a physiological cause
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2009.01697.x
Patch Testing Can Find What’s Causing Your Rash
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/types/contact-dermatitis/patch-testing-rash
