20 Common Questions About Sensitive Skin
Many people say they have sensitive skin because skin care products, or household products that contact their skin, cause stinging, burning, itchiness, redness, or tightness. Or they say they have it because even though they have no visible effects after contact with a product, it always makes their skin feel uncomfortable.
But here is what dermatologists look for when diagnosing sensitive skin:
- Skin reactions such as pustules, redness, skin bumps, or skin erosion
- Very dry skin which doesn’t properly protect nerve endings in the skin
- A tendency toward blushing and skin flushing
Have a dermatologist check your skin. That’s the best way to find out if you have sensitive skin or whether something else is causing your skin condition.
Causes of sensitive skin reactions include:
- Skin disorders or allergic skin reactions such as eczema, rosacea, or allergic contact dermatitis
- Overly dry or injured skin that can no longer protect nerve endings, leading to skin reactions
- Excessive exposure to skin-damaging environmental factors such as sun and wind or excessive heat or cold
Genetic factors, age, gender, and race differences in skin sensitivity are less well-defined but still may play a role in causing skin reactions.
Patch testing may identify signs of allergies that are causing or contributing to sensitive skin. Otherwise, it’s difficult for doctors to test for sensitive skin because so many factors can cause it.
Yes. The look of healthy skin is just as important for men as it is for women.
Cleansing. From one person to the next, sensitive skin responds differently to different cleansing methods. But most dermatologists agree that “deodorant” soap or highly fragranced soap contains strong detergents and shouldn’t be used on the face. Soap-free cleansers such as mild cleansing bars and sensitive-skin bars along with most liquid facial cleansers have less potential for facial skin irritation than soaps. The same is true for cleansing creams and disposable facial washcloths.
Moisturizing. Moisturizing products help skin hold on to moisture so it resists drying and abrasion. See guidelines to choosing skin care products below.
Specific guidelines are lacking. But more “skin-friendly” products contain:
- Only a few ingredients
- No fragrance
If you have sensitive skin, avoid products containing:
- Antibacterial or deodorant ingredients
- Alcohol
- Retinoids or alpha-hydroxy acids
If you have sensitive skin, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following:
- Use face powder, which has few preservatives and minimal risk of skin irritation.
- Use a silicone-based foundation for minimal skin irritation.
- Do not use waterproof cosmetics; you need a special cleanser to remove them.
- Use black eyeliner and mascara; they appear to be least allergenic.
- Use pencil eyeliner and eyebrow fillers; liquid eyeliners may contain latex and may cause an allergic reaction.
- Throw out old cosmetics; they can spoil or become contaminated.
Before putting a new product on your skin, do the following:
- For several days, apply a small amount behind an ear and leave it on overnight.
- If your skin does not become irritated, follow the same procedure, this time applying the product on an area alongside an eye.
- If you still don’t see irritation, the product should be safe for you to apply on any area of your face.
First, wear a sunscreen year-round. Use one that says broad spectrum with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, and use it every day that you will be in the sun for longer than 20 minutes.
Remember, the sun’s skin-damaging UVB rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Avoid going out in the sun during these hours whenever possible, any time of the year.
In winter, to help prevent skin dryness, flaking, itching, and cracking do the following:
- Don’t overheat your home.
- Take cool or lukewarm baths and showers — and fewer of them — and use a soap-free cleanser.
- Minimize skin dryness after bathing: Gently pat your skin dry and apply moisturizer while your skin is still moist.
- Use a moisturizer containing petrolatum, mineral oil, linoleic acid, ceramides, dimethicone, or glycerin.
In summer, keep in mind that tanning damages your skin. Don’t lie out in the sun, even if you’ve applied sunscreen. See guidelines for choosing a sunscreen below.
If you do go out, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and tight-woven clothing that covers your arms and legs. Apply your sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going out, and reapply it every 80 minutes, after swimming, or if you’ve been perspiring heavily.
Your sunscreen should be rated SPF 30 or higher. Its active ingredients should be only zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. This is because you cannot have an allergic reaction to these physical sunscreens. They deflect the sun’s UV rays instead of absorbing them as chemical sunscreens do.
Most people with sensitive skin don’t seek medical help for mild irritation from skin care products. Instead, they try different products until they find one that doesn’t irritate their skin. They typically only see a dermatologist if their skin condition worsens.
When consulted, the dermatologist will first check for skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, or contact with a skin irritant. They may give you skin patch tests to check for allergies. The dermatologist will also ask about your skin care plan, identify any potential irritants, and recommend milder skin care and household products that are less likely to irritate sensitive skin.
Smooth, soft, natural fabrics, such as fine cotton and silk, feel best worn next to the skin. Cotton is cool where silk is warm; both are absorbent, helping to draw body moisture away from the skin. Rayon and linen are also comfortable for sensitive skin but are heavier than cotton or silk. Clothing should be loose fitting with a minimum of creases and folds.
If you have skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, rosacea, or eczema, you’re likely to have sensitive skin.
The FDA regulates the manufacture and marketing of cosmetics — but not in the same way it regulates prescription medications and medical devices.
The FDA cannot require that cosmetic manufacturers provide manufacturing data on their products, conduct product recalls, or report cosmetic-related injuries. However, it can inspect cosmetic manufacturing facilities. And it can take action against manufacturers whose products or any of their ingredients are found to be:
- Unsafe
- Improperly labeled
- Adulterated
- Misbranded
Hypoallergenic skin care products are not necessarily safer for sensitive skin. There are no federal standards governing manufacturers’ use of the term “hypoallergenic.” So it can mean whatever a particular company wants it to mean.
Eating healthfully is good for your whole body, including your skin.
Yes. A number of the skin diseases and conditions linked to sensitive skin are known or believed to run in families. They include acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Skin irritation from a reaction to a skin care, cosmetic, or household product is not inherited.
References
American Academy of Dermatology: “Sensitive skin;” “Stress and skin;” and “Men’s skin care.”
FamilyDoctor.org: “Skin Rashes and Other Changes.”
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