Sensitive skin: How to care for it

70 % of French women declare that they have a irritated skin. Visit rashestugging, tingling and overheating are the first symptoms not to be overlooked.

What is sensitive skin? Origins and symptoms

Sensitive-reactive skin definition

First of all, it should be pointed out that a sensitive skin is not a skin type (normal, combination, oily, dry and mature) but a condition that can be spontaneously or permanently superimposed on your skin's nature. For example, a dry skin can develop sensitivity.

Secondly, the origin of this irritability is mainly due to the deterioration of the cutaneous barrier. This is made up of the superficial layers of the epidermis, the hydrolipidic film and a healthy bacterial flora. When functioning properly, the skin is able to retain its water and prevent external elements (allergens, harmful fine particles, microorganisms) from penetrating, colonizing or irritating the face. In the event of a malfunction, the threshold of tolerance to environmental or biological elements becomes very low, leading to the famous sensitive and reactive skin. Some areas become dehydrated and inflamed, and are then adorned with :

• sensations of overheating, tightness, tingling, itching, tingling, burning ;
• rashesscaling, rough patches, blotchiness, rosacea.

The key to a special beauty routine reactive skin is "minimalist":

4 tips to avoid redness

• use as few products as possible with as few ingredients as possible;
• gently cleanse and remove make-up with two-in-one oils;
• hydrate and nourish to restore its defences skin ;
• daily protection to prevent skin irritability;

Don't forget that "a little goes a long way" for reactive skin. That's why you need to find rebalancing products and stick with them, because sensitive skin hates change.

What skincare products should you use for your skincare routine for sensitive skin?

Moisturizing serums:

Redness" treatment serums

Tranexamic acid serum

Azelaic acid serum

Minimalist moisturizer

How to cleanse sensitive skin

Visit facial treatment from sensitive skins is all about gentle cleansing. To avoid increasing hyper-sensitivity, here are five tips to follow:

• wash with lukewarm water (as hot water creates vasodilatation of the vessels, causing additional facial erythema)
• avoid cleaners granular (creates and exacerbates existing microtrauma or inflammation);
• buy cleansing and make-up removal products gentle to reduce irritation on areas sensitive of the epidermis, adapted to the eye contour very fragile, with few ingredients.
• use a lotion moisturizing, toning, or a floral water containing soothing active ingredients to wake up the skin;

What face care products are right for sensitive skin? Treat, correct and protect

After cleaning, your sensitive skin routine goes through three fundamental stages:

• moisturize to strengthen the skin barrier;
• to calm and treat reactivity (e.g. rashes);
• protect to prevent future irritation.

This facial treatment should use as few cosmetic products as possible. Moisturized skin is one of the keys to strengthening your skin barrier. It will once again be able to protect itself from aggression. We recommend :

• from sera and skin care creams light, fluid, in gel form, with few ingredients;
• slow-cosmetics or organic products, avoiding essential oils.

At the same time, to correct reactions (rashessensations of tightness, warmth...), you need to integrate your facial care routine :

• anti-inflammatory and regenerating cosmetic active ingredients to soothe reactive skin ;
• minerals and trace elements (present in thermal waters) to reinforce your skin's natural defenses.

These treatments re-equilibrate the pH and bacterial flora.

Even if you have to limit the number of cosmetic products, masks effectively correct the symptoms of sensitive skin. Cream textures should be preferred, avoiding any formulations containing alcohol or perfumes that would dry out and irritate your skin. face.

Finally, a reactive epidermis is never safe from aggression. It's important, especially in the morning, to apply a sun cream, to protect it from the sun, bad weather and any pollution it may encounter during the day. Use soothing formulas with film-forming agents, which will also prevent skin water from evaporating and optimize hydration. Prevention is better than cure.

Sensitive or sensitized skin?

Skin can be naturally sensitive (due to a genetic defect or vascular weakness) or it can become so. In the latter case, it may have acquired its intolerance through the abuse of various factors:

• environmental factors (wind, sun, cold or hot temperatures, air conditioning, heating, hard water, etc.);
• chemical (excessive hygiene, overly aggressive or unsuitable cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco, pollution);
• hormonal (menstrual cycles, menopause) ;
• psychological (stress, emotional state).

Your skin will have been sensitized by repeated exposure to these overly aggressive stimuli. It then becomes incapable of defending itself, transforming itself into chronically reactive skin. In the face of this physiological distress, a specific skincare routine is required on a daily basis to restore a healthy complexion.

For sensitive-reactive skin oily or combination skins that need weekly exfoliation, it's best to avoid granules and the usual fruit acids (AHAs), which are too irritating. Instead, a treatment based on azelaic acid is recommended. This gentle ingredient reduces redness.

Irritating ingredients to avoid for sensitive skin

For people with sensitive skin, certain cosmetic ingredients should be avoided:

1. Allergens Potentially allergenic substances, such as certain components of perfumes and essential oils, can trigger immune reactions in sensitive individuals. These reactions are often due to the ability of these allergens to bind to skin proteins.
2. Drying alcohols Ingredients: Present in small quantities, they pose no risk. However, in large concentrations, especially if listed among the first ingredients, they can dry out and irritate dry or sensitive skin.
3. Essential oils Natural, they may nevertheless contain substances such as limonene or linalool, which can provoke allergic reactions.
4. Irritating ingredients Some active ingredients, such as retinoids, pure vitamin C and exfoliating acids (A.H.A.) are known for their beneficial properties on the skin, but can irritate sensitive skin. A.H.A. promote cell renewal, but can cause redness and eczema in reactive skin. Retinol, while effective, needs to be carefully introduced into the skincare routine to avoid irritation.
5. Chemical sun filters Some filters, such as octinoxate and oxybenzone, can irritate the skin. Allergic reactions are rare but possible.
6. Aggressive surfactants Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is an example of a strong surfactant that can irritate sensitive skin by damaging its protective barrier, causing dryness and discomfort.
7. Fragrances Despite their appeal, fragrance compounds are among the main allergens in cosmetics, and can cause irritation and allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin. Substances such as geraniol and linalool are specifically regulated in Europe for this reason.

This cutaneous and societal phenomenon affects all ages. This intolerance has many origins and can be treated by adopting a skincare routine sensitive skinrespecting the physiological needs of your skin. What causes this discomfort? How to soothe a reactive skin ? What products buy to restore radiance to the complexion? Today, science and the cosmetics market offer effective solutions. By understanding the biological origins of your skin intolerance, and applying a few principles of hygiene and prevention, cosmetics can help you regain a radiant complexion. face care sensitive skin revitalize, purify and soothe your skin.

A guide for best moisturizers for sensitive skin.

My tips for caring for dry skin with an effective beauty routine: How can I get rid of dry skin?

My tips for taking care of oily, acne-prone skin: How can I get rid of oily skin?

My tips for taking care of normal to combination skin: How to treat combination skin

My tips for caring for mature skin: How to treat mature skin