Things to Consider for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is just what it sounds like: skin that is “hypersensitive and prone to adverse reactions.” The causes range from allergies to environmental factors and may include several skin diseases. Often there is a genetic component. “Yes, it’s Mom’s fault.”

Your diet, or the lack of a proper one, can play a part in your skin issues. Age and related hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, menopause, and of course teenage angst, can also cause changes and outbreaks. All these normal life stages affect overall health, and your skin reflects that state of health. Your skin needs balance and health to perform its many protective duties.

A skin disorder or allergic skin reaction can include diagnoses such as eczema, rosacea, or allergic contact dermatitis. A sensitive person can have skin that reacts to over-stimulation from any number of things. Reactions can range from a simple dry patch to itchy, irritated skin, rashes, swelling, inflammation, and painful skin that is hot to touch. This situation can be quite serious.

Skin conditions can develop when skin becomes parched or suffers an injury. An injury can affect the nerve endings, so they may not protect the skin as they once did. In the same way, excessive exposure to damaging environmental elements can overwhelm the skin’s ability to maintain its balance.

Those who aren’t sensitive still experience occasional seasonal sensitivities, in which environmental changes cause an abrupt change in skin condition. Some of us get an annual case of “winter skin.” Typically, a minor ailment, it includes cracked hands that are painful to the touch. This simple skin complaint can become severe within hours. The same thing can happen when we are careless in direct summer sunlight over extended periods. Our skin feels baked, our backs blister, and we suddenly find we’ve overexposed our skin.

Balance is the goal for sensitive skin types. A good policy is to maintain a consistently healthy diet and to take great care in your skin care regimen. Test every new product before making a commitment. Don’t take anything for granted when it comes to product use. Avoid stress, both on your skin and emotional stress, as much as possible. The body feeds the mind, and the mind affects your inner spiritual life, which reflects overall health.

Sensitive Tips

• Keep a journal of skin ailments. Include the details of what happened, when, and where, and note anything else that might cause.
• Avoid foods, beverages, and chemicals that irritate any allergies you may have.
• Have you been tested for a possible gluten allergy or sensitivity?
• Sensitive skin tends to over-react to topical products, so take great care when changing your soap, detergents, shampoos, and other topical products.

Cleansing

• Avoid traditional soap.
• Use soap-free cleansers.
• Avoid deodorant soaps.
• Avoid alcohol-based cleansers, such as hand sanitizing lotions.

Around the house

• Avoid harsh household cleaners.
• Wear gloves when cleaning whenever possible.

Choosing products

• Avoid colorants in lotions, cleansers, and creams.
• Use simple products with the fewest possible active ingredients.
• Products containing man-made chemicals can cause problems.
• Products containing multiple compounds can lead to complications. Remember, organic ingredients are chemicals, too. However, unless you have a known allergy to a plant-based ingredient, you are better served by going natural rather than industrial.
• Avoid petroleum-based products.
• Avoid fragrance in skin care products.

Sun and moisture

• Wearing sunscreen year-round is a good idea for all skin types, but it is critical for those with sensitive skin.
• Avoid tanning salons and tanning in general.
• Always keep moisturizing products at the ready.

Moderation

• Avoid extremes in water temperature when bathing.
• Avoid extremes when heating and cooling your home.
• Keep balance and moderation in all areas.