WHAT IS SENSITIVE SKIN?

Sensitive skin is less tolerant to frequent and prolonged use of cosmetics and toiletries. It is self-diagnosed and typically unaccompanied by any obvious physical signs of irritation.

WHAT CAUSES SENSITIVITY?

With the change in lifestyle and also with increased opportunity to use many new brands of cosmetics and toiletries, there has been an increase in females complaining of unique sensation in their facial skin.

PROBLEMS CAUSED BY SENSITIVE SKIN?

Subjective perceptions (stinging, burning, pruritus, and tightness) of sensitive skin are noticed immediately following cosmetic product application or delayed by minutes, hours, or days,especially on face skin.

WHO IS AT RISK FOR DEVELOPING SENSITIVE SKIN?

The condition is found in more than 50% of women and 40% of men, creating a sizable demand for products designed to minimize skin sensitivity.

Commonly affects females, young adults aged between 18 and 50 years, hormonal differences in women producing increased inflammatory sensitivity, cultural habits in developed countries, and environmental factors like winter, stress, and atopic dermatitis are thought to promote sensitive skin

HOW TO DIAGNOSE SENSITIVE SKIN?

It is self-diagnosed and typically unaccompanied by any obvious physical signs of irritation.Good numbers of invasive and non-invasive tests are designed to evaluate and predict the sensitive skin.

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION FOR SENSITIVE SKIN?

Management includes guidelines for selecting suitable cosmetics and toiletries in sensitive skin individuals.

Certain "do's" while selecting the cosmetic for sensitive skin are the following:

  • Powder cosmetics preferred
  • Use cosmetics which are easily removable by water
  • Always use fresh cosmetics
  • Use black-colored eyeliner and mascara
  • Select pencil form of eyeliner and eyebrow cosmetics
  • Select light earth tone eye shadows
  • Select physical sunscreen agent
  • Purchase cosmetics products with less than 10 ingredients
  • No nail polishes
  • Use powder/cream formulations of facial foundations.

Myth 1: HYPOALLERGENIC MEANS NON-IRRITATING

Truth: It doesn't necessarily mean gentle or free of allergens. There are no set standards for this term. You need to know what you're allergic to and look for it on the label.Myth 2: SENSITIVE SKIN TYPES CANT EXFOLIATETruth: Yes, rosacea and allergic types should skip it—those dead skin cells act as a protective barrier to block irritants. But acne-prone skin needs exfoliation to keep pores clear.Myth 3: RETINOIDS ARE OFF-LIMITSTruth: Anyone can use a retinol. Just lessen its harsh effects by layering it over a moisturizer so absorbs less into your skin.