Sensitive Skin: Symptoms, Causes & Skincare Tips
As someone who suffers from sensitive skin, it can be hard to navigate through the myriad of skincare products that don’t irritate the skin . Hence, those with sensitive skin require extra care and attention to prevent it from worsening.
In this article, we explore the proper skincare for sensitive skin as well as other important information such as symptoms and tips.
Common Symptoms of Sensitive Skin
There are many obvious symptoms of sensitive skin that one may be able to notice. Though the symptoms vary for each individual, here are some of the common ones:
Dry, Flaky, or Rough Patches
One of the common symptoms of sensitive skin is when there are dry, flaky, or rough patches all around. This could be caused by the skin struggling to maintain the optimal moisture levels. The overall weather conditions as well as the health of the body contribute to the dryness of the skin.
Dry, Flaky, or Rough Patches
One of the common symptoms of sensitive skin is when there are dry, flaky, or rough patches all around. This could be caused by the skin struggling to maintain the optimal moisture levels. The overall weather conditions as well as the health of the body contribute to the dryness of the skin.
Redness
Another common sign of sensitive skin is redness. The redness could appear on certain spots of the body or face and may go away after some time. However, in extreme cases, the redness will remain and become a chronic issue as it could be a sign of skin inflammation. Some of the common chronic conditions include rosacea.
Redness
Another common sign of sensitive skin is redness. The redness could appear on certain spots of the body or face and may go away after some time. However, in extreme cases, the redness will remain and become a chronic issue as it could be a sign of skin inflammation. Some of the common chronic conditions include rosacea.
Itching or Burning
If you experience itching or burning sensations, it might be a sign that you have sensitive skin. Most of the time, people encounter itching or burning sensations after using certain skincare products which aren’t suitable for the skin due to the ingredients. Besides that, the sensations also occur during a sudden change of temperature within the environment.
Itching or Burning
If you experience itching or burning sensations, it might be a sign that you have sensitive skin. Most of the time, people encounter itching or burning sensations after using certain skincare products which aren’t suitable for the skin due to the ingredients. Besides that, the sensations also occur during a sudden change of temperature within the environment.
Tightness on Skin
Skin tightness is another one of the symptoms of sensitive skin, which is similar to the feeling of being overly stretched. The tightness of the skin occurs when the skin’s natural moisture barrier is unable to retain adequate hydration levels.
Tightness on Skin
Skin tightness is another one of the symptoms of sensitive skin, which is similar to the feeling of being overly stretched. The tightness of the skin occurs when the skin’s natural moisture barrier is unable to retain adequate hydration levels.
Blisters or Bleeding
In some cases, those with sensitive skin may experience bleeding or blisters, though compared to the other symptoms, it’s considered rare. Those who experience an allergic reaction or contact dermatitis are more likely to experience blisters or bleeding.
Blisters or Bleeding
In some cases, those with sensitive skin may experience bleeding or blisters, though compared to the other symptoms, it’s considered rare. Those who experience an allergic reaction or contact dermatitis are more likely to experience blisters or bleeding.
Causes of Sensitive skin
There are several reasons as to why an individual has sensitive skin. Check out the main causes of sensitive skin below:
Chronic Skin Conditions
Chronic skin conditions are considered to be one of the causes of sensitive skin. Some of the common chronic skin conditions include eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. These types of skin conditions tend to cause symptoms such as redness and itchiness. It could be harmful to your skin as these skin issues will weaken the natural barrier of the skin.
Harsh Ingredients in Skincare Products
If you weren’t aware before, it’s a good thing you know about this important cause of sensitive skin. There are many skincare products which have harsh ingredients such as alcohol, parabens, or sulphates. These are not that friendly on the skin and may aggravate sensitive skin to cause redness or burning sensations.
Genetics
Genetics are one of the major causes of sensitive skin as it can be passed down from previous generations. For example, if your grandmother has eczema, then her grandchildren are more likely to suffer from eczema as well.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis involves the type of liquid or substance your skin comes in contact with. This could be your laundry detergent or the type of soap used. There are two main types of contact dermatitis which are: irritant and allergic.
Irritant dermatitis involves damage to the skin’s outer protective layer which causes irritation. Allergic dermatitis involves an allergic reaction that comes after your skin has contact with a certain allergen, causing itching or redness.
Allergies
Allergies are another common cause of sensitive skin. Some people may be allergic to certain foods such as seafood. When consumed, they will encounter rashes or flares of the skin. Additionally, people can also be allergic to specific skincare products or even dust mites.
Skincare Tips for Sensitive Skin
If you need some guidance on how to take care of your sensitive skin, here are some of the best skincare tips to implement:
Avoid Exfoliation
If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to avoid exfoliation as it can be too harsh since exfoliation involves stripping the skin’s natural oils and protective barrier, leaving the skin dry and irritated. Some of the chemical exfoliants those with sensitive skin should avoid are beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).
Avoid Exfoliation
If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to avoid exfoliation as it can be too harsh since exfoliation involves stripping the skin’s natural oils and protective barrier, leaving the skin dry and irritated. Some of the chemical exfoliants those with sensitive skin should avoid are beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).
Perform Patch Tests
Another great skincare tip for those with sensitive skin is to perform patch tests which are applying a small amount of product on your skin. The recommended areas for patch tests are the inside of your forearm, behind the ear, or the bend of the elbow because they are sensitive and help gauge skin reactions. Once you apply it, wait for about 24 hours to see if anything happens. If your skin is fine, then the skincare product is safe to use.
Perform Patch Tests
Another great skincare tip for those with sensitive skin is to perform patch tests which are applying a small amount of product on your skin. The recommended areas for patch tests are the inside of your forearm, behind the ear, or the bend of the elbow because they are sensitive and help gauge skin reactions. Once you apply it, wait for about 24 hours to see if anything happens. If your skin is fine, then the skincare product is safe to use.
Use Only Gentle-Safe Products
It’s important to maintain good skincare for sensitive skin to reduce irritation and flare-ups. Look for gentle products that are free from harsh ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances. Opt for skincare containing soothing and nourishing ingredients like ceramides (to strengthen the skin barrier), aloe vera (to calm inflammation), centella asiatica (to reduce redness), and hyaluronic acid (for deep hydration). Choosing dermatologist-tested and fragrance-free formulations can further help in minimising sensitivity.
Use Only Gentle-Safe Products
It’s important to maintain good skincare for sensitive skin to reduce irritation and flare-ups. Look for gentle products that are free from harsh ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances. Opt for skincare containing soothing and nourishing ingredients like ceramides (to strengthen the skin barrier), aloe vera (to calm inflammation), centella asiatica (to reduce redness), and hyaluronic acid (for deep hydration). Choosing dermatologist-tested and fragrance-free formulations can further help in minimising sensitivity.
Moisturise Your Skin Often
Don’t forget to always moisturise the skin as it’s crucial for those with sensitive skin to regularly hydrate the skin barrier. Go for moisturising skin care products that contain soothing and hydrating ingredients such as tocopherol (vitamin E), which can be found in the Cica Moisturiser as this ingredient is highly known for boosting the skin’s hydration.
Moisturise Your Skin Often
Don’t forget to always moisturise the skin as it’s crucial for those with sensitive skin to regularly hydrate the skin barrier. Go for moisturising skin care products that contain soothing and hydrating ingredients such as tocopherol (vitamin E), which can be found in the Cica Moisturiser as this ingredient is highly known for boosting the skin’s hydration.
Protect Your Skin Against the Sun
When your skin is exposed to the sun, it will be at risk of experiencing harmful UV rays. Try to protect your skin by using broad-spectrum sunscreen so that your skin will be protected against the sun.
Protect Your Skin Against the Sun
When your skin is exposed to the sun, it will be at risk of experiencing harmful UV rays. Try to protect your skin by using broad-spectrum sunscreen so that your skin will be protected against the sun.
When to See a Dermatologist?
Though sensitive skin can be managed well with the right skincare products, if the condition gets worse, it may be time to see a professional dermatologist to get yourself diagnosed. They will know the best way to treat your skin condition by prescribing medicine or creams. If you need advice on which skincare product to use, the dermatologists are able to suggest the ones that are best for your skin type.
Recommended Skincare Products for Sensitive Skin
When choosing skincare products for sensitive skin, it’s crucial to choose the ones that are safe for your skin. If you’re looking for the skincare products specifically designed for sensitive skin, here are some of the options to choose from:
WonderDewi Cica Prebiotic Moisturiser
Those who have sensitive skin will benefit from using the WonderDewi Cica Prebiotic Moisturiser. It’s packed with soothing ingredients such as Cica and Vitamin C. Plus, it contains up to 78% of high-content moisture, ensuring your skin receives the ultimate hydration it needs.
WonderDewi Cica Niacinamide Sunscreen
The WonderDewi Cica Niacinamide Sunscreen is suitable for sensitive skin, even for young children. This is because the ingredients are gentle enough on the skin and contain Centella Asiatica, known to offer numerous soothing benefits on the skin.
WonderLab Ageless Niacinamide Toner Essence
The WonderLab Ageless Niacinamide Toner Essence is another great skincare product for sensitive skin as it has hydrating ingredients such as niacinamide to soothe the skin. It also uses PlusSome Technology™ which is known to provide faster absorption.
WonderLab Ageless Black Ginseng Sleeping Mask
The WonderLab Ageless Black Ginseng Sleeping Mask is suitable for all skin types, especially for those who require a hydration boost overnight. It contains Black Ginseng which is known to be an ultimate hydration boost by locking in hydration and replenishing the moisture levels back to normal. It’s also free from harmful chemicals such as sulphates or parabens, which is great for sensitive skin.
Conclusion
Sensitive skin can be manageable as long as you use the right skincare products and maintain a consistent skincare routine. If you’re in need of skincare for sensitive skin, consider exploring WonderLab’s wide range of skincare products that are safe for all skin types including sensitive skin.