Although some people may tell you that having sensitive skin is the result of a medical condition, it is not. Sensitive skin simply means that the skin can easily become swollen, itchy or irritated, due to something in the environment or the use of a skin product. Sensitive skin is also used to describe any changes in the skin in reaction to allergens.
What Makes Skin So Sensitive
The main reason behind having sensitive skin is that in just one day, your skin can take an enormous beating. Just think about what you put on your skin every day — soap, make-up, moisturizer, shaving foam, aftershave, pimple removers — the amount you use is huge.
While you are just trying to do the best for your skin, the array of different ingredients from different skin care products leads to your skin being unable to cope.
On top of all that, you have the environment to contend with as well.
When you use skin care products, try using ones with fewer ingredients to reduce the risk of allergic reactions.
Avoid skin care products that contain alcohol, propylene glycol, and those that are scented, have plant essence or are antibacterial.
Test new products on a small spot and leave for a few days before using it on the whole face. If you have no reaction at all, full use will probably be all right.
What Causes Sensitive Skin
It is not easy to exactly identify what causes your skin to become sensitive. It cannot always be attributed to one product because the effects take several days to develop. In fact, the irritation isn’t always caused by something artificial.
Exposure to the sun can create skin problems, as can extremely hot water. Your laundry washing powder, fabric softeners, shampoo, perfume, hair spray, and even the household cleaning products you use can be the culprit. Certain foods and even some plants can cause symptoms of an allergic reaction as well.
Skin that is healthy is less likely to become sensitive, as it is a good barrier to allergens. However, skin that is sunburned, very dry or damaged in another way has a much higher risk of becoming sensitive. This is the main reason skin becomes more prone to becoming sensitive in the winter, as it can easily become dry, especially around the face.
Dealing with Sensitive Skin
Isolate the main cause of the problem, so that you don’t treat the wrong thing and just make things worse. If you suffer from skin conditions like eczema, rosacea or psoriasis, consulting with a dermatologist will help you to work out exactly what is causing your skin problem and how to deal with it.
Use natural fabrics for bed linen, and use towels that are made from just silk or cotton, rather than nylon, and also look at your cotton balls, as some can be deceivingly like cotton but are actually polyester.
Finally, eat a good diet to nourish the skin. Keep your skin moist, use good sunscreen, and clean it gently. Avoid scrubbing your skin, washing with hot water and rough exfoliating.