SENSITIVE SKIN

What is Sensitised Skin and who gets it?

Many people believe they have sensitised skin because when they use skincare products, or when household products contact their skin it causes redness, stinging, tightness or burning.  Or using product shows no visible effect, however their skin feels uncomfortable. Sensitised skin is not a medical term, it’s just generally used to describe skin with a limited tolerance to skincare and cosmetics application. 

Sensitive skin can appear in a wide variety of ways including symptoms such as stinging, itching, burning and/or visible skin changes such as redness, dryness, scaling, peeling, bumps, and hives.

Sensitive skin can also be related to impaired barrier function (protective layer) of the skin’s surface layers. Without this protection, skin becomes dry and easily irritated. Barrier function (protective layer) can be diminished through intrinsic ageing, sun exposure climatic conditions and the use of skincare products that remove skin lipids (sebum) and cause irritation.

What can cause Skin Sensitised & what can make it worse

Often, complaints of sensitive skin relate only to the face. Products that are tolerated on other sites cause irritation and rashes; eyelids are particularly sensitive. Armpits, groin and genitals may also be more sensitive than other areas because of thinner skin.

This is what dermatologists look for when diagnosing sensitive skin:

·        Skin reactions such as pustules, 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.

Follow these skin care dos and don’ts to help cut down on redness, reactivity, and flare-ups.

·        Do not use hot water when cleansing.

·        When cleansing, if skin is too sensitised even for water, use tissue or make-up pad, or a gentle non-fabric cloth to remove product.

·        Use gentle movements like upward circles.

·        Speak to a skin care professional about a “less is more” product regimen that will help calm skin, reduce redness, and protect against flare-ups.

Myths about Sensitive Skin

Myth: Retinoids are off-limits.Anyone can use a retinol. Just lessen its harsh effects by layering it over a moisturizer that has anti-inflammatory ingredients like niacinamide, so less absorbs into your skin.

Myth: Hypoallergenic means non-irritating.It doesn't necessarily mean gentle or free of allergens. You need to know what you're allergic to and look for it on the label. Hypoallergenic products are not necessarily safer for sensitive skin. There are no standards governing manufacturers’ use of the term “hypoallergenic.” This can mean whatever a business/company wants it to mean.

Myth: Sensitive types can't exfoliate.Yes, rosacea and allergic types should skip a harsh exfoliate. But sensitive acne-prone skin needs exfoliation to keep pores clear and regeneration of skin cells is crucial in most cases. 

Solutions for Sensitive Skin

-        Provides moisture while cleansing without stripping the protective layer

The Moisturising Cleanser is an extremely gentle cream base cleanser which does not strip the skin and therefore does not damage the barrier function (protective layer)of the skin, which in most sensitive skin concerns barrier function (protective layer)is impaired. The Moisturising Cleanser also contains protective ingredients like Shea butter, Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Oil, Kakadu plum and Vitamin E. These ingredients have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which in sensitive skin is essential due to their protective factor.  These ingredients also play a role in maintaining the barrier function (protective layer) of the skin.

-        Protects and calms irritated skin

The Anti-Oxidant Oatmeal Mask is your first choice for sensitive and irritated skin.

The Anti-Oxidant Oatmeal Mask contains ground oats which have shown over numerous studies with topical application to improve skin barrier function (protective layer) and sooth irritated skin. The barrier function (protective layer) of the skin is critical to the health of the skin, because if the barrier function (protective layer) is disrupted it can lead to multiple skin concerns including irritation, sensitivity, Ph disruption and inflammation (visible seen as redness). The barrier function (protective layer) of the skin is aid by the topical application of oats because the oats provided a moisturising protective layer which prevents transdermal water loss, and therefore maintain optimal barrier function.

The oats are not limited to only skin barrier maintenance they have also shown great potential in reducing inflammation and irritation of the skin when applied topically. The addition of the Anti-Oxidant Oatmeal Mask is a must have for acne, inflamed, sensitive and irritated skin because it soothes redness and irritation of the skin.

-        Repairs and restores dry, sensitive skin

The Deep Moisturiser Mask is a super hydrating mask full of antioxidants, Vitamins and cell renewal properties. The mask contains a plentiful supply of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in Macadamia Oil, Almond Oil, Rosehip Oil, Avocado Oil and Sea buckthorn oil to soothe irritated skin.

-        Hydrating and calming

The Refreshing Toner is a hydrating, calming and soothing spritz pack full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients. The toner contains Green Tea, chamomile and Jojoba Oil for their protective antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties to calm and sooth irritated skin.

-        Rebalances moisture in dry, flaky sensitised skin

The topical benefits of Hyaluronic Acid are well documented by researchers and supported by dermatologists. Primarily why Hyaluronic Acid is s accepted is because of its unique water binding capacity of 1000 times its weight in water which is not seen in any biological substance, for direct hydration into the skin. The Hyaluronic Acid hydration properties also function in maintaining the hydration of the collagen structures and therefore maintaining the elasticity of the collagen.

Hydration from Hyaluronic Acid for sensitive skin is essential, as water is an important component for the barrier function (protective layer) of the skin, which is commonly impaired in sensitive skin concerns.  And there is no ingredient more powerful to hydration then Hyaluronic Acid.

-        Nourishes and balances dry, sensitive skin

The Mystique Serum is an oil base serum which works with the skin on the cell membranes and fatty acid extra cellular matrix. The formulation contains CoQ10 (co- enzyme Q10), Vitamin E, Rose Hip, Jojoba Oil and almond oil. The formulation is design for anti aging, dry and sensitive skin concerns because it provides oils for moisturisation, barrier protection, antioxidant and anti-inflammatories for sensitive skin concerns.

-        Soothes inflammation and protects against harsh environmental damage

The Clear and Brightening Moisturiser sooths irritated and sensitive skin concerns through its active mixture of hydration, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and nourishing nutrients. These ingredients include Sea buckthorn oil and its strong bioactive anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and nourishing component for the skins health functioning and for restoration of healthy skin.  The moisturiser contains properties to aid in the maintenance of the barrier function (protective layer) of the skin, which in most cases of sensitive skin concerns is impaired.

-        Builds a barrier against harsh environmental stresses and improves collagen production

The Vitamin Rich Repair Moisturiser contains a potent mix of Vitamins; Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin B5 followed by Jojoba Oil. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic antioxidants and anti inflammatory’s aid in sensitive skin concerns for soothing irritated and inflamed skin.

 The Vitamin Rich Repair moisturiser is also formulated as an anti-ageing weapon with its peptides for collagen production and reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.