Sensitive Skin
Your Skin – Sensitive or Insensitive?
For those of us with very sensitive skin, we know it for sure. However, there are many people who believe they may have sensitive skin but it goes in spurts. This may be true, depending on the type of sensitive their skin in. By that I mean, is it sensitive in that it breaks out with acne pimples, or it itches, burns or stings, or does it get inflammed with certain ingredients? The answer to this question will determine which of the four distinct types of sensitive skin you have: acne, rosacea, burning and stinging, and allergies.
Acne
Acne is caused by oily skin and high levels of the bacteria P. acnes. Certain skin care products that are called comedogenic, can clog pores, leading to whiteheads and blackheads. Treatments for acne utilize anti-inflammatory and/or antibacterial ingredients such as antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and retinoids.
While many people actively look for natural solutions to acne, such as tea tree oil, many other natural ingredients, such as coconut oil and avocado, can actually cause acne outbreaks.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a very common skin condition and is charicteristically marked by facial redness, pimples and broken blood vessels. Although the cause of rosacea is unknown, numerous theories exist which place the blame on anything from bacteria, genetics, sun exposur, etc. The primary treatment for this diffucult skin condition are products with anti-inflammatory ingredients to avoid irritation. These ingredients include caffeine, sulfur, sulfacetamide, various antibiotics and natural ingredients such as feverfew, chamomile, green tea and licorice extract. Such ingredients effectively reduce the redness and inflammations caused by rosacea and prevent further facial flushing. Other ingredients show be avoided altogether by the rosacea afflicted patient, such as skin care products containing vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), because their acidity can cause stinging.
Burning and Stinging
While the cause of burning and stinging itself is unknown, there are several igredients that are known to cause stinging are lactic acid, azaelic acid, benzoic acid, glycolic acid, vitamin C and AHAs. The main problem with the skin in this scenario, is that the skin barrier (which is the skin’s own natural protection) is compromised or ineffective & must be strengthened. To determine if this is the type of sensitive skin you have, you must be subject to a battery of dermatological tests and the dermatologist can then tell you to which stinging ingredients you reacted positively.
Allergies (Dermatitis)
This is the easiest sensitivity to determine in that it is a physical response by your immune system that makes antibodies to ‘fight off’ the thing to which you are allergic, usually producing a rash or some other visible reaction. People who complain of frequent rashes with the use of specific skin care products are most commonly allergic to fragrance, preservatives, colors or formaldehyde. Additionally, many organic or natural products may lead to contact dermatitis, because essential oils often used as fragrances in these products can cause allergy.
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