Many people claim to have sensitive skin – usually because they notice dryness or redness, or an uncomfortable “tightness” to their skin. While some people do have truly sensitive skin, a lot of what people mistake as skin sensitivity is likely a reaction to external factors such as personal care or household products.
A dermatologist can diagnose sensitive skin
A trip to the dermatologist annually is recommended to make sure your skin stays in good health, and to address any skin issues or concerns. During your annual dermatology check-up, your doctor will look for conditions such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and rosacea – any of which makes it more likely that you have sensitive skin. She will also check for overly dry skin that indicates that the protective barrier is damaged, leading to skin reactions. She may also test for allergies that are contributing to skin sensitivities.
How can sensitive skin be treated?
If skin irritation is recent (as in, you haven’t noticed sensitivity, extreme dryness, or flushing in the past), its likely a reaction to a specific product. And while the most likely culprits are your personal care products (soaps, shampoos, moisturizers, etc.), you’ll also want to consider household products like laundry detergent and other cleaning supplies that can affect your skin.
Even your clothing can irritate sensitive skin. You may have washed that new blouse in your trusted laundry detergent – but for some reason, you get a rash every time you wear it. The fabric or the dye used to produce the garment could be causing a reaction.
What can I do to take care of my sensitive skin?
If you’re dealing with a skin condition like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, etc. your dermatologist can recommend or prescribe treatments that can mitigate the sensitivity associated with those conditions. But if your skin is simply sensitive, there are still some things you can do to lessen the likelihood of rashes and irritation.
Patch test
Any time you begin using a new skin care product, you should do a patch test. Apply a small amount of the product on the skin behind your ear each day for 2-3 days. If you don’t experience any redness or irritation, behind the ear, you should try the same test on a small area next to the eye (avoiding getting too close to the eye). If, after a few days, you still see no irritation, the product is unlikely to cause redness or irritation elsewhere on your face.
Keep your products “fresh”
Pay attention to product expiration dates, and discard anything that is out of date. You don’t want to use expired products – especially on sensitive skin. And don’t keep products longer than you should. Keep track of how long you’ve kept and used cosmetics, and get rid of anything that you’ve had sitting around for a while. Once a product is opened – and especially once it’s been used – bacteria can grow, and it can cause skin problems.
Learn your ingredients
Avoid harsh ingredients that have been irritating in the past, and try to buy products that don’t contain added colors and fragrances – as these can be some of the most irritating ingredients. When you notice that a particular product has been problematic, do a little research on the ingredients; people react differently to different things, but there are some ingredients that may be common irritants, such as the aforementioned colors and fragrances, as well as alcohol, retinols, and antibacterial agents.
It’s important to take care of your skin and your overall health, no matter what your skin type. But when your skin is sensitive it becomes even more important to make sure you protect your skin and health. Staying hydrated – both inside and out – and protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays are two of the most important things you can do.
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