10 questions about sensitive skin, answered
Sensitive skin can be an annoying fact of life that for some people can affect their ability to fully enjoy the outdoors, animals or the changes in the seasons. Read on for more information on sensitive skin, including why it can occur and what you can do to help alleviate the symptoms.
1. Can I be diagnosed with sensitive skin?
No. While other conditions, such as eczema are medical diagnoses, having sensitive skin means you have skin that reacts frequently or easily to cosmetics, toiletries, allergens and irritants.1
2. What can cause skin sensitivity?
A lot of things can be at play. For example, it could be a symptom of an underlying skin condition or an allergic reaction to something.
3. What skin conditions are associated with having sensitive skin?
People with the following conditions may have sensitive skin. Ask your dermatologist if you have another skin condition you feel may have something to do with your skin sensitivity.
- Eczema
- Dry skin
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Irritant contact dermatitis
- Rosacea
- Contact urticaria
- Photodermatoses
- Cutaneous mastocytoses
- Carcinoid syndrome
4. What are the signs and symptoms of sensitive skin?
It varies from person to person. However, signs such as dryness, roughness, and a weakened skin barrier frequently occur.
Symptoms can be both visible to anyone or perceived only by the person themselves:
- Non-visible symptoms: Burning, itching, stinging
- Visible: Dryness, peeling, bumps, hives, redness
5. What does “weakened skin barrier” mean?
Imagine your epidermis (the outermost layer of skin you can actually see) as a wall made of bricks, held in place by cement. Without this wall, all kinds of harmful toxins could enter the body. However, if this cement is “loosened”, skin can become itchy, red, and dry skin. Many things – such as changes in the weather, long hot showers, irritants, allergens, harsh products, poor skin care, and overwashing – can cause this.
An important part of caring for your skin is moisturising. In the brick wall analogy, moisturiser is like paint, covering the wall to keep germs out and moisture in.
Living with sensitive skin
Vanessa has had sensitive skin since her mid-30s and finds it affected by changes in the seasons and her emotions. Watch her full story here.
6. Are all moisturisers the same?
No. Next time you’re at the pharmacy, ask to see their variety of ointments, creams and lotions.
As a general guide:
- Ointments are excellent at sealing in moisture, as they have occlusives, which are heavier ingredients whose purpose is to form a barrier on the skin and stop moisture from escaping (remember the weakened skin barrier?).
- Creams are less greasy, and second-most effective at trapping moisture.
- Lotions, on the other hand, are largely made of water and tend to evaporate quickly, making them a go-to choice for people with normal to oily skin. Find out more about ointments, creams, and lotions here.
7. What can trigger sensitive skin?
It depends on each person’s situation. Some people find seasonal changes can affect their skin (for example, the “in-between moment” between summer and autumn as the weather cools). Others may notice a connection between certain ingredients in skincare products or allergens such as pollen or pet dander.
To find out your triggers, get curious! Take note of when they occur and what was happening around you. Soon, you’ll have plenty of information you can take to your dermatologist or Pharmacist, which will help them identify products that may alleviate your symptoms.
8. Where does sensitive skin occur?
Skin sensitivity can occur anywhere, however, it’s often reported on the face. Due to being quite thin, the skin on the armpits, groin, and genitals is also a frequent place.
9. What type of products are generally good for sensitive skin?
You’ll want to always have a moisturiser on hand, for the body and hands as well as a gentle facial cleanser. Choosing fragrance-free may cause little or no irritation. Going for natural skincare may help some people, but is not a definite indication that a product won’t cause your skin to react. Describe your symptoms to your Pharmacist for recommendations on products and skincare routines suited to your skin.
10. What else can I do to protect my skin?
- Swap hot, long showers for short, warm ones – this is because long hot showers can leech the body’s natural oils and make the skin drier
- Pat dry your skin when towelling off, rather than rubbing at it
- Use SPF 50+ – all year round, even in winter
- If possible, choose natural fibres in your clothing – cotton and linen are great choices; many people find that wool irritates their skin
- Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise – choose a heavier option for night-time when your skin has time to absorb it
- Protect your hands with cotton-lined rubber gloves if washing the dishes by hands