Published: March 1, 2023
Sensitive skin can be a frustrating and uncomfortable condition that affects people of all ages. You may not even know you have sensitive skin until your skin has a negative reaction to a certain skin care product or ingredient. In fact, over 60% of women and 40% of men have reported some degree of skin sensitivity. There are many causes that lead to skin sensitivity, although there is no reliable diagnostic test. Not everyone will respond to irritants in the same way. Studies have even shown that different ethnic groups respond differently with less or more reactivity depending on the product. While sensitivity may vary among different cultures and regions, it is agreed upon that sensitive skin affects a large portion of the population.
Sensitive skin can be the result of using certain cosmetics, skincare products, soaps, or lotions. It can be characterized as any unpleasant sensory response, such as itching, burning, stinging, or dryness that is consistent. While it may be difficult to define the direct cause, it is possible to cure and treat sensitive skin.
Many often correlate sensitive skin with dry skin, however, they are not the same. While you may experience both, dry skin is a permanent skin type, whereas sensitive skin is often the symptom of another condition.
Below, we are explaining more about sensitive skin, the symptoms to look out for, plus tips on how to care for it.
"It's very important to heed the call when your skin is letting you know that it is compromised. Through signals like burning, small red bump, your goal should change from whatever your focus has been to bring calm to your skin. Switching to a non-foaming, fragrance-free cleanser and a nourishing cream is the best bet for calming the skin. Along with a pause in exfoliating, these steps will help your skin quickly recover its barrier function and feel more soothed, keeping you from battling a more volatile irritation.!"
Christine Lee, Board Certified Esthetician
and [ comfort zone ] Master Educator
While your skin can be both sensitive and dry, there is a difference. Dry skin occurs when the top layer of your skin dries out due to a lack of moisture. It can be caused by genetics, age, environmental factors, or harsh products. The common reason why someone may have dry and sensitive skin is due to a compromised skin barrier. When the barrier lacks moisture, it is unable to protect itself from external irritants. Dry skin may feel itchy or rough, while sensitive skin may burn or sting after using certain products.
There can be a lot of unpleasantness that comes from having sensitive skin, but there are ways to manage it effectively. Be careful with the products you select, being sure to choose high quality, natural, gentle options, like the ones from Comfort Zone. Finding skincare products that work for you may take time, but Remember, keeping sensitive skin happy doesn’t have to be hard. Sometimes the most effective skincare routine is often the simplest.
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