Sensitive Skin Care Products: A Quick Fix or a Long Term Solution?
If you think you have sensitive skin, you’re not alone. In fact, many people feel the same way! In recent polls, around 60% of consumers said they had sensitive skin. So it’s no wonder that companies selling cosmetics and beauty solutions invest so much in sensitive skin care products.
On the other hand though, there are dermatologists who say sensitive skin is a marketing term. They believe that it isn’t a real condition. With so many people claiming to have this condition, could this possibly be true? To answer that question, we first need to understand what sensitive skin is – and what it’s not.
Sensitive Skin vs Medical Skin Conditions
Understanding your sensitive skin is the first step to finding a solution. Sensitive skin is actually not a medical definition. There are some medically recognized skin conditions cause skin to get irritated easily in the way that sensitive skin might. An examples of this is rosacea – a skin disorder that causes flushing and red blotches. Another is eczema – a type of dermatitis.
Sensitive Skin: It’s the Real Deal!
In general, though, the majority of people who say they suffer from sensitive skin do so because they feel discomfort when their skin is exposed to external factors. External factors may include various topically applied products or weather conditions, like extreme wind or heat. Symptoms experienced as a result of these factors may include rashes, itchiness or a stinging sensation to the skin.
So we can conclude that generally speaking, if an individual experiences these symptoms of discomfort, they have sensitive skin. Even though “sensitive skin” is not necessarily a medical term.
How Does It Occur, You Ask?
In general, skin becomes more sensitive when its barrier function is compromised. The skin’s barrier function works to hold in moisture and keep out noxious materials. It’s essential for happy, healthy skin! Compromise to the skin’s barrier function can happen for a variety of reasons. Aside from the medical skin conditions mentioned above, the skin’s barrier can be harmed by things such as:
- Over-exposure to the damaging rays of the sun.
- Constant contact with irritants, including cleaning products, hair dyes or latex gloves.
- Too much skin care. In an effort to look younger, people will sometimes end up irritating their skin instead. This can occur through using too many chemical peels, microdermabrasions, and retinoids – all of which can strip the skin of its protective barrier.
Sensitive Skin Care Products: A Quick Fix or a Long Term Solution?
Often people who have sensitive skin have dry skin on their face or irritated patches. In an effort to try to solve this uncomfortable problem, sufferers think they need to go out and buy a moisturizer or face wash that’s labelled as sensitive skin care products. Products such as these may temporarily mask the symptoms of sensitive skin. But what about long-term, ongoing solutions?
Instead of searching for a quick fix for only temporary relief like specific sensitive skin care products, it’s better to improve your skin’s barrier function from the ground up. This can be achieved through implementing a consistent twice-daily skin care routine that uses ingredients known to be calming, protective, and healing.
What to Look For in a Skincare Routine!
Look for a complete skincare routine that contains ingredients like aloe vera, allantoin, non-pore clogging oils, glycerin, vitamins (A, B, C, D, E, K), antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. You should also take care to exfoliate only with a mild liquid exfoliant and hydrate with a moisturizer that contains non-irritating oil. It’s also best to avoid essential oils, fragrances, dyes, and alcohol in your skin care products.
The Verdict
Sensitive skin may not be a medical condition, but you know your skin better than anyone. If you feel you have sensitive skin, whether it’s because of rashes, redness, dry patches, or extremely dry skin on your face, then you do!
Remember that you don’t need to rush to the stores to buy an expensive, tiny bottle of moisturizer or facewash that is a dedicated sensitive skin care product. Implementing a balanced skin care routine that is designed to improve the overall health of your skin (for good!), and avoiding environmental triggers is the best way to keep your skin healthy!
So start improving your skin straight away by implementing a skincare routine – like the METRIN Skincare System – that will nourish, hydrate and protect sensitive skin.
