Skincare for Sensitive Skin
Did you know that everyone’s face tends to be more sensitive than the skin on the rest of their body? By default, this means that each of us has skin that is sensitive to some degree. This is why there are skincare products that are labeled specifically for use on the face, or specifically warn against use on the face. However, some people have skin that is much more sensitive than even the average. If you have sensitive skin, or you know someone who does, then you know how hard it can be to find really effective skin care products that are not too harsh.
What is Sensitive Skin
According to the National Institutes of Health, sensitive skin is defined as “a frequent complaint in the general population, in patients, and among subjects suffering from itch. The International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI) decided to initiate a special interest group (SIG) on sensitive skin. Using the Delphi method, sensitive skin was defined as ‘A syndrome defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations (stinging, burning, pain, pruritus, and tingling sensations) in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke such sensations. These unpleasant sensations cannot be explained by lesions attributable to any skin disease. The skin can appear normal or be accompanied by erythema. Sensitive skin can affect all body locations, especially the face.”
Basically this means that you have ‘angry’ skin, or dermatitis on contact with things that are less irritating to the general population. (Source). If you consider that your skin is actually a barrier layer of your body that is meant to protect you it is easy to understand how sensitive skin works. The skin’s outer layer is water resistant and helps you to hold moisture inside to keep you from drying out. If you have skin that is more permeable than it is supposed to be then the barrier function is less effective. This will cause your skin to become irritated and inflamed more easily. Sometimes this can even lead to an angry red rash.
Causes of Skin Allergies
Clearly, those with sensitive skin want to stay away from anything that causes an unpleasant and/or unbecoming reaction. This can be tough, as many sensitivities are causes by allergies. Allergies can actually come on suddenly, after you have been using a product for some time. This may be surprising to you, however it has to do with saturation. When an allergen causes an immune system response, the reaction is called allergic contact dermatitis. Eventually, if you introduce enough allergen into your system you will have this response, even if it is delayed for years.
To avoid suffering the best thing that you can do for your skin is to avoid products that have common allergens, and if you have a reaction, to stop using that product immediately and proceed to get allergy tested for the different ingredients. Common allergens in cosmetics (which skincare products are) include “soaps, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, shampoos — or even excessive exposure to water — can all cause contact dermatitis. Other items that can cause a reaction are metals (such as nickel, a component of stainless steel and other alloys used to make costume jewelry), adhesives, nail polish, topical medications, plants and latex gloves. Sometimes an allergen won’t cause a skin reaction unless the skin is also exposed to sunlight. This condition is called photoallergic contact dermatitis. It can occur with products such as shaving lotion, sunscreen and some perfumes.” (Source).
Best Skincare for Sensitive Skin
If you are concerned about skin allergies then the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to have your doctor do an allergy test. These are fairly non-invasive tests in which suspected allergens are either scratched or injected in small amounts in the skin of your arm. If you have a positive reaction to an allergen, meaning that you are allergic, you may have a bump or bumps and redness or itching. The doctor can generally administer a topical ointment that will alleviate the symptoms, or they will wear off on their own usually within a couple of hours.
Unless you have a known allergy to a particular plant or compound used, it is usually safe for even those with the most sensitive of skin to go with products that are carefully crafted and thoroughly tested. This is true of SABRINA Collagen Rx Plus. Made with some of the finest natural ingredients and most advanced science, this anti-aging skin cream is safe for those of us with sensitive skin and contains no known allergens. This makes it one of the best products available on the market. It is both effective at smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles and in improving your skin’s color and overall look. Used on the face, neck and chest twice a day, for only 45 days, can evaporate years off of your appearance and help you look and feel beautiful without worrying about allergic reactions.
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