How to define sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is defined as skin that, unless suffering from certain skin diseases, is more predisposed to negatively react to chemical or physical agents. In addition, sensitive skin is more susceptible to allergies, redness, irritation, itching, and skin burning. (1) However, sensitive skin is not always synonymous with allergy: often the general symptoms of skin hypersensitivity are mistakenly judged to be warning signs of intolerance or allergies to certain cosmetic ingredients. In reality, common sensitive skin does not refer to any immunological cause. (1)
There are some aspects through which sensitive skin can be recognized:
Sensation of burning and stinging skin, which is accentuated with the application of certain cosmetic products
Skin with little elasticity
Marked tendency to skin peeling
Skin itching
Dry, arid, dehydrated, and cracked skin
Skin that feels tight
Furthermore, people who report skin hypersensitivity are statistically more prone to early formation of wrinkles and other aesthetic concerns associated with photo-aging. (1)
Sensitive skin is a very subjective phenomenon, making it difficult to establish precise and universal parameters to objectively ascertain the condition of skin hypersensitivity. (1) Nevertheless, we have compiled a list of generally useful precautions and advice for all those who have sensitive skin, whatever the degree of hypersensitivity:
Use products that are dermatologically tested on sensitive skin, namely on pre-selected volunteers who have sensitive skin;
- Look for products formulated with moisturizing and soothing functional substances such as ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, bisabolol, calendula extract, chamomile extract, etc.;
- Fragrance or no fragrance? It depends! Nowadays, most fragrances that are included in cosmetic formulas are hypoallergenic, namely they contain a very low concentration of allergens or are completely free of them.
- However, fragrance-free formulas can also contain cosmetic ingredients that may cause sensitivity reactions on certain skins.
this is the skin care rotuine that we recommend for sensitive skin
New product? Do a DIY patch test! This involves applying a layer of product to the arm, neck, or a small area of the face and leaving it on for 24 hours, during which time the area should not be washed. The next day, observe if there are any redness or irritation on the area. If nothing is observed, the product is suitable for your skin type.
Introduce one new product at a time. Avoid testing 5-6 new products simultaneously, but wait at least 2-3 days between one new product and another, so that if there are any sensitivity reactions, you can easily understand what the cause is, namely the product causing such a reaction.
Do not cleanse and exfoliate excessively! You could alter the hydro-lipidic film, the layer that protects our skin, thereby increasing the sensitivity to cosmetic products or other factors that then turn out to be aggressive at the skin level.
by CHIARA DUILIO
BIOLOGIST
BIBLIOGRAFIA
https://www.my-personaltrainer.it/benessere/pelle-sensibile.html
https://www.yumibio.com/it/blog/post/lhamamelis-proprieta-e-benefici-.html
https://www.mypersonaltrainer.it/benessere/pelle-sensibile.html