What is sensitive skin and how to treat it

Sensitive skin is a skin condition in which it reacts extremely to both internal and external stimuli and can be treated through an appropriate skincare routine and specific products.

Multiple factors that influence skin sensitization contribute to causing this skin condition. Sensitive or sensitized skin can be recognized through certain particular symptoms or imperfections that can be bothersome or even dangerous and that need to be treated or alleviated in a specific manner.

"On the other hand, the skin is subjected to numerous factors that can over time affect its natural defenses and that can intervene both from the outside and from the inside. For this reason, it is essential to establish a proper skincare routine suitable for one's skin type and personalized."

In this brief guide, we will discover what sensitive skin looks like and how to recognize it in order to treat it appropriately.

What does it mean to have sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin is a condition characterized by an excessive reaction to external stimuli. The sensitivity of the skin can be identified by various signs and symptoms that may appear permanently or temporarily depending on the case, such as redness, a tendency to dryness, or even itching, irritation, or scaling in more extreme cases.

Based on certain characteristics or origin, it is therefore possible to distinguish between:

• Sensitive skin conditioned by genetic factors, more common in women and people with a light phototype;
• Sensitive skin that, while being healthy skin, may occasionally show or permanently display signs of sensitivity due to external agents, such as environmental factors, pollution, a cosmetic product, or even an inappropriate aesthetic treatment, but also due to internal factors such as stress, hormonal fluctuations, or a decrease in defenses.

These two conditions are very different and need to be addressed specifically.

How to recognize sensitive skin

The main signs to recognize sensitive skin include redness, skin spots, itching, burning sensations caused by certain products, visible redness, and generally instant reactions to touch or environmental changes.

There are multiple symptoms that allow you to recognize sensitive or sensitized skin:

• Red, swollen, and itchy skin;
• Redness without swelling;
• Skin that tingles or burns;
• Skin eruptions or hives;
• Dry skin that tends to crack;
• Spots on the skin that are quite dry and hard.

It should also be noted that depending on the underlying cause of sensitive skin, symptoms can present themselves in various ways. The most common causes of sensitive skin are:

• Contact dermatitis, a very common form that causes a rash that develops after exposure to an irritating chemical or a physical agent that damages the outer protective layer of the skin. It can be either irritant or allergic in response to an irritating chemical or other substance.
• Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic condition that can flare up periodically in which the skin becomes rough and inflamed.

Having dry skin can often lead to experiencing symptoms of sensitive skin as having stored less moisture in the skin reduces protection from external irritants. Rosacea is also a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can lead to sensitive skin.

What can be the causes of sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin often reacts following exposure to heat or excessively hot water: some disinfectant products, laundry detergents, or other factors that can damage the outer layer of the skin.

Heat, humidity, sweat, jewelry, or even some foods including dairy products or eggs, can lead to eczema problems and then to sensitive skin. Most of the time, identifying the direct cause of sensitive skin is very difficult and it becomes essential to consult a dermatologist or turn to a specialist.

Sometimes, sensitive skin can be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs to be carefully evaluated. In general, the factors that can cause sensitive skin can also be traced back to behaviors along with some specific issues.

The factors that cause sensitive skin are therefore: 

• Allergy to ingredients, jewelry metals, foods;
• Excessive exfoliation;
• Excess of caffeine or alcohol;
• Skin diseases such as eczema or psoriasis;
• Hormonal changes such as menopause;
• Health problems and taking medications;
• UV damage;
• Environmental stress factors such as pollution or harsh, dry, humid climate, etc;
• Lack of sleep;
• The smoke;
• Go to sleep with makeup on;
• Follow a diet low in vitamins and have an unhealthy lifestyle.

Precisely because sensitive skin often becomes so due to wrong behaviors, it is often recommended to not take showers that are too hot, choose gentle and non-irritating products, protect the skin with moisturizer and sunscreen, avoid the use of perfumes or scented products, and adopt a more balanced lifestyle, avoiding stress, smoking, and alcohol.

How to treat sensitive or sensitized skin

Sensitive skin is particularly reactive and needs to be treated with functional ingredients specifically designed to act with effectiveness and gentleness. In addition to avoiding the causes of sensitive skin that we have seen, it is necessary to implement a skincare protocol capable of calming the skin from within and, above all, helping it to strengthen its natural defenses.

Sensitive skin is weakened skin, and it is necessary to use functional products that can strengthen the skin barrier, calm reactivity, and reduce signs of hyperactivity.

The key to keeping the skin calm is to avoid reactions by carefully selecting functional ingredients and products for skincare.

For cleansing, it is essential to prefer lukewarm water and choose a mousse cleanser rich in soothing and moisturizing agents that can respect the skin's balance, such as Cleansing Detox Mousse, which removes all traces of makeup and impurities while soothing and hydrating thanks to the extract of Mallow and Calendula, and Hydromanil that protects the skin's natural bacterial barrier.

The ideal face serum for dry skin may contain hyaluronic acid and anti-inflammatory extracts such as turmeric extract found in the balancing face serum Vitis Cell Serum, which is also a powerful antioxidant. Additionally, it is good to strengthen the skin to protect it from the harmful effects of pollution: the illuminating face serum Licoglow contains a pollution-fighting algae extract and the precious lycopene that protects fibroblasts.

Sensitive skin in particular, but all skin types, require a broad-spectrum sunscreen that prevents sunburn and harmful skin irritations. Harmful sun rays and pollution cause premature skin aging, weaken it, and dull it, leaving it dehydrated and therefore damaged and more prone to irritations and sensitization. It is better to apply a good sunscreen.

Hydration is the key to having always healthy and radiant skin: the ideal face cream for sensitive skin is intense and rich but not heavy. Nutralight is the first face cream that nourishes and protects at the same time while keeping the skin balanced.

The problem of sensitive skin can be solved through a skincare protocol tailored to your needs. Don't hesitate to contact your trusted pharmacy or request a free consultation to discover the products best suited for your skin type.