Have you always experienced sensitive skin? Or maybe you’re wondering why your skin is so sensitive all of a sudden?
As a skin expert, I’m not surprised to see more and more people find their skin aggravated and irritated. We’re doing more to our skin now than ever before. We’ve got easy access to powerful skincare which, to put simply, can be way too much for many complexions. Add factors like stress, sunshine and hormones into the equation, your skin can react negatively leading to increased sensitivity.
What is sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin can be categorised as skin that’s easily irritated. Having sensitive skin is a bit like walking a tightrope where one false move can cause a wobble and throw it off course. It’s not a skin type like dry, oily, combination or normal, and it’s not a diagnosis.
The symptoms of sensitive skin can vary from occasional irritation to full-blown stinging that needs to be managed daily, and for these reasons, there’s some ambiguity around what defines sensitive skin. Often people believe they have sensitive skin, whereas in a lot of cases they are experiencing sensitised skin (but a bit more on that in a moment).
The key signs of sensitive skin are stinging, burning, redness, itchiness, rashes, tightness and a general feeling of discomfort. You may experience a couple of these symptoms or even all of them at once. Dry skin is more prone to sensitivity since a lack of oil makes it thinner, less able to retain hydration, and weaker in defence.
Do I Have Sensitive Skin?
What’s the difference between sensitive and sensitised skin?
It’s not always clear what causes sensitive skin. Some people are more prone to it than others and find that it’s a long-term concern that they need to consistently manage with skincare and lifestyle choices. It could be from birth, or it could have progressively changed over time. For example, as we age, our skin becomes thinner which means it is more susceptible to irritation. Additionally, other factors like medication or illness can also cause sensitive skin.
Sensitised skin is slightly different. This refers to skin that feels sensitive as a result of inflammation and/or irritation. A common cause is using the wrong skincare or overloading your skin with active ingredients. The skin’s barrier function is designed to keep moisture in and irritants out. When impaired, the skin struggles to function as normal which can result in a lower tolerance to specific ingredients and cause irritation. The good news is, sensitised skin is easier to resolve than sensitive skin. Strip back your routine and focus on restoring the skin barrier with ingredients like ceramides and omega fatty acids and in most cases, the irritation will subside. Those with sensitive skin can take the same approach, but may need to stick to the routine for longer.
What causes sensitive skin?
There are myriad things that can aggravate sensitive skin. They include, but are not limited to:
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Our skin’s stock deplete with age. With less naturally occurring oils, hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin, the skin becomes thinner, weaker and more easily irritated meaning the simplest of things can cause upsets.
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The sun attacks the skin’s lipid peroxidation which starts at the first layer of the skin’s defence, weakens the barrier and leaves skin feeling sensitive. Don’t be surprised if your skin feels delicate after the summer months and needs extra TLC.
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Pollutants, such as car exhaust fumes, can weaken cell membranes and compromise the skin barrier, leading to dehydration. Look out for signs like tightness and dullness, as dehydration can trigger stress and inflammation in the skin.
Milk Thistle targets cellular senescence (a root cause of ageing) while also providing powerful antioxidant protection, making it beneficial for the delicate area around the eyes.
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Overusing certain skincare products can irritate the skin with cleansers and exfoliants being common culprits. Active ingredients benefit the skin, but overuse, incompatible combinations, or high concentrations can lead to irritation. My tip is, start slow and low.
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During menopause, skin can become thinner, drier and less resilient against internal and external aggressors.
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Some people experience nine months of glow, but for others, pregnancy can be a challenging time for their skin. Be careful with your complexion as the surge in hormones can result in sensitivity. Try to avoid anything too strong until after you’ve given birth.
How to Treat Sensitive Skin
When the skin barrier is weakened by one of the factors above, it becomes easier for things like pollutants and allergens to penetrate sensitive skin causing irritation. You may experience irritation or tingling when touching your face or applying your skincare, and this is because there’s an inflammation of the nerve endings.
These are some of the best ways to restore balance and treat sensitive skin:
Strip back your routine and try to keep things both simple and minimal. Avoid skincare with fragrance, active skincare and both physical and chemical exfoliation.
Remove all actives such as vitamin C, retinoids and chemical exfoliants (alpha and beta-hydroxy acids) from your regime. When your skin is ready, start with poly-hydroxy acids, the gentlest form of liquid exfoliation.
Avoid the midday sun as UVB rays which are the strongest between 10 am and 4 pm. If your skin is sensitive, opt for a mineral sunscreen as some chemical filters can be irritating.
When you cleanse, use tepid or cold water instead of hot water and try to avoid steamy baths and showers. Don’t worry, products described as “hot cloth cleansers” are still just as effective with cool water.
Avoid muslin cloths as these can deliver mild exfoliation. What we’re trying to do is rebuild and strengthen the skin, so we want to avoid removing dead skin cells as they make up part of the barrier. If you like to use a cloth to remove your cleanser, choose a supersoft micro-fibre one instead.
Use a clean cloth for every cleanse and pat (don’t rub) your face dry with a soft towel. If your skin needs cooling, pop a damp face cloth in the fridge and use it as a cooling compress on irritated skin.
Keep your makeup brushes clean—they can be a 5-star hotel for bacteria if they’re not cleaned regularly. When the skin barrier is compromised, the bacteria can cause havoc when in contact with your skin.
Clean your phone too. Just like our makeup brushes, our mobiles are harbouring bacteria, which is especially problematic if the irritation is on your cheeks.
All cosmetics have a shelf life so throw out old, out-of-date products and makeup. Check the date on the back of the packaging which is typically a symbol of a pot with a number in it. The number indicates how many months the product will last after opening. Using products that have gone off is a recipe for irritation.
When the skin is extremely damaged, choose fragrance-free products. Both natural and synthetic fragrances can be some of the biggest skincare offenders.
Re-introduce products slowly when your skin is feeling better. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and the skin may still be struggling from within regardless of how it may look on the outside. I recommend being mindful for at least a month before the skin starts to behave like it used to.
Keep your skin hydrated both morning and evening by using serums, essences or moisturisers with ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier.
Don’t ignore tingles. This is the most important thing! The skin is trying to let you know it’s experiencing some form of irritation. It may also be a sign of a skin condition like rosacea, so it’s always good to be in tune with your skin.
Discover my blog on the Best Skincare Products For Sensitive Skin According To A Skin Expert here.
And if you have damaged your skin barrier and your skin needs some SOS skincare this blog will be really helpful for you too.
Thank You For Reading
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Thank you for being part of this amazing journey with me!
Fiona X