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A Better Understanding Of Sensitised Skin - The Symptoms, Causes and the Treatments


Sensitive skin is a broad term used rather than a medical term/diagnosis and is usually a symptom of another condition. Some aren’t even aware they have sensitive skin until a bad reaction to a common irritant. Conditions that cause sensitive skin are rarely serious and symptoms can usually be kept under control with a few simple changes to your skincare routine and/or lifestyle.

The most common types of sensitivity are:
Genetics - People predisposed to rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and various other medically diagnosed skin conditions can be affected by this. While they say these conditions are impossible to prevent, you can take steps to mitigate the severity.  Flare-ups can be triggered by external factors, certain foods,  weather changes, chemicals and sometimes even fabric. So if you can figure out your triggers this can help to reduce your symptoms/minimise flare-ups.

Environmental: 
Unlike naturally sensitised skin, this type pf skin is sensitised by environmental factors not genetics. This means the skin has developed a sensitivity to certain extrinsic components. These might include sun exposure, skin care products ingredients (and known irritants), smoking or air pollution. This means when your skin is exposed to these factors, there may be stinging, redness and/or other signs of irritation that go away once the trigger is removed, and the skin has a chance to repair itself. To avoid this if you establish a healthy routine that focuses on repairing/strengthening the skin barrier. 

Reactive: 
Skin rapidly reacts to harsh skin care products or other external chemical exposure by becoming irritated. This type of sensitivity is more prevalent in lighter skin tones, although anyone can experience it. The best way to deal with reactive skin is to review the ingredients in your skincare products. Look for products that don’t have fragrances (synthetic and natural), alcohol or dyes, as these can often trigger adverse reactions.  Harsh exfoliants may need to be avoided along with other ingredients that trigger these skin reactions.

Dry and/or Thin skin:
Occurs generally with sun exposure/age due to the amount of collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin naturally present in the skin begins to decline and can affect the skin's ability to handle these factors. To assist with this, opt for skincare products that contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid, peptides and other active ingredients to help restore fullness to the skin resulting in reduced sensitivity.

Some product recommendations that contain ingredients designed to soothe the skin and repair the skin barrier:
Sunscreens: The most important aspect of any routine.
Normal - Combo/Oily - 
Klairs Soft Airy Uv Essence Spf 50 Pa++++ or Paula’s Choice Hydralight Shine-Free Mineral Complex SPF30

Normal - Dry -  
Krave Beauty The Beet Shield or Purito Unscented Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF50+ PA++++

Cleansers:
La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Cleansing Cream
Simple Water Boost Facial Cleanser Gel Wash
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
COSRX - Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

Toners: 
While most (including myself) don’t believe these are necessary these are another method of delivering hydration/soothing ingredients to the skin. 
Isntree Aloe or Green Tea toners are great lightweight toners
Paula’s Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner

Moisturisers:
Paula’s Choice Water-Infusing Electrolyte, Defence Nightly Reconditioning and Omega+ Complex Moisturisers, Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturisers
CeraVe Moisturising Cream
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

Serums: 
The Ordinary's 10% Niacinamide + 2% Zinc - Will help balance oil production, brighten and soothe skin
Paula’s Choice Clinical Niacinamide 10-20% Treatment - Though I would work up to the 20% with a 10% first
The Ordinary's Buffet (a great multi-peptide serum)
iUNIK Black Snail Restore Serum
NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Lipid 1% Cail 1% 
Purito Centella Unscented Serum
Paula’s Choice Power Berry Serum

Exfoliants: 
Paula’s Choice Antioxidant Pore Purifier - A great product if you’re introducing chemical exfoliants or have sensitised skin as this has a low concentration of Azelaic Acid and Salicylic Acid with an assortment of skin-soothing ingredients from the list above.
The Ordinary's 10% Azelaic Acid Suspension - Well suited for sensitive skin as it is an anti-inflammatory among other things.

Healing Creams/Balms: 
For times when flare-ups occur.
La Roche Posay's Cicaplast Baume B5
Aquaphor
CeraVe Healing Ointment

Paula’s Choice has an entire Calm range for varied skin types. The Korean Beauty brand Pyunkang Yul is specially designed for sensitive/compromised skin. 

Try to identify any triggers that exacerbate the symptoms. Then you can adjust your routine, products and lifestyle habits accordingly.  Some ingredients that are good to look for in your core routine and treatment products are: Colloidal Oatmeal Extract, Aloe Vera, Centella Asiatica, Panthenol Green/Matcha/White Tea Extract, Copper Amino Isolate, Coq10, Bisabolol (Chamomile Extract), Calendula Extract, Borage Oil, Allantoin, Marine Algae's, Squalane,  Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid.  

Try to avoid Denatured alcohols, fragrance, SLS’s, Phthalates, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Essential oil extracts (All citrus and peppermint based ones like Linalool, Limonene, Citrus and Citrus Peel oils) as these are known irritants.

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