What is sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin is often a common skin problem or can be an underlying symptom. Some people will be allergic to chemicals, can also react to the weather... So what is sensitive skin? If you are looking for the answer to this problem, continue reading Dermalogica's article.

Signs of sensitive skin

Signs of sensitive skin come from a breakdown of the skin's protective barrier. This can arise from the environment, dehydrated skin or a specific condition including:

1. Flaky, rough skin patches
2. Wrinkled or rough skin texture
3. Redness or swelling
4. Open sores or yellow crusts on the skin
5. Skin

Sensitive skin can cause objective signs and subjective symptoms. 

• Objective signs are changes that a doctor can observe. For example, skin redness, swelling or ulcers. They are changes to the skin barrier and are easy to observe from the skin's surface.
• Subjective symptoms can only be felt or observed by you. Such as itching, burning, stinging or pain. With subjective signs, you may feel uncomfortable but other people and doctors cannot understand how your skin condition feels. Therefore, the cause of sensitive skin is more difficult to determine. When you go to the doctor, write down your symptoms and provide complete images of skin changes to receive accurate advice. This is also a way to help relieve pressure when trying to remember all the changes and symptoms as your skin becomes more sensitive.

What are the different levels of sensitivity of sensitive skin?

Just like the severity levels of oily, dry, and acne-prone skin, sensitive skin also has different levels. More specifically, it can be divided into 4 main levels:

1. Congenital sensitive skin: this skin type is hereditary, often associated with inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea and psoriasis.
2. Environmental sensitivity: skin is susceptible to discomfort or allergies due to exposure to sunlight, wind, cigarette smoke or polluted air. Any environmental factor can cause a stinging reaction or even uncomfortable redness on the skin.
3. Irritated skin: this type often becomes inflamed or red because of the ingredients contained in cosmetics. Usually, people with this type of skin will easily notice that the skin will have tiny papules, pustules, or stinging and pain.
4. Thin skin: as you age, your natural skin will gradually become thinner. Therefore, the skin will gradually become more susceptible to irritation.

What causes sudden sensitive skin?

Global studies have found that approximately 50% to 60% of women and 30% to 40% of men suffer from sensitive skin. This theory has been proven and explains why women are more susceptible to sensitivity. In addition, women's skin is also at many other risks such as dry skin and dehydration due to hormonal changes.

So any skin type can experience sensitivity problems from oily skin, acne-prone skin to dry or mature skin. A multitude of internal and external factors can trigger sensitivities. Let's take a look at 4 causes to avoid and how to properly care for sensitive skin.

Time of day

Through some sharing about the causes, you also know a little about what sensitive skin is like. Besides, the skin as well as the body has a 24-hour biological rhythm. If you do not exercise regularly or get enough sleep, your skin's protective barrier will become weaker and thinner. Because at night, the stress hormone cortisol acts in combination with an increase in the anti-itch mediator histamine which can make the skin more sensitive. This nighttime condition leads to restless sleep. After waking up, the skin will feel tight, stinging and itchy, causing discomfort to the sufferer. How to care for sensitive skin for this problem is very simple, detailed instructions below.

Solution: Choose natural, breathable fabrics. You need to regularly change bedding and avoid too hot temperatures while in bed.

Life stages and psychology

Skin cycles change from childhood to adulthood as well as pressure from life at each age also leading to more sensitive skin.

• Baby skin is in the stage where the skin's protective barrier is still developing, so children's skin is very susceptible to redness and irritation.
• Teenage skin is often susceptible to acne and hormones that stimulate oiliness. At this time, many of you do not know how to take care of your skin and buy the right products. Therefore, strong detergents and exfoliants that are corrosive to the skin are often used. In the long term, the skin loses its natural protective layer and makes the skin susceptible to allergies.
• Pregnancy and menopause are periods of hormonal changes that affect sebum secretion, leading to a weakened skin barrier. It is also due to endocrine reasons that affect blood vessels under the skin, easily causing redness or exposing capillaries under the skin.
• Aging due to age or pollution. This type of cause causes the sebaceous glands to decrease, both the epidermis and dermis become thinner. Often have symptoms of dehydration, poor protective barrier so it is easily damaged. If your skin ages prematurely and you do not know why, please refer to the answer in the article.

Solution: You cannot change life stages, but you can choose appropriate skin care products for each age.

Weather of the year

Weather that is too hot, cold, humid or dry depending on the seasons of the year will cause the skin to become unbalanced. Because the skin needs to adapt to the temperature or humidity from the outside environment, the skin reacts more easily.

Simple tip: listen to your body and skin, find ways to protect your skin from the inside to the outside. You can invest in a meal menu, spend time exercising, and buy necessary furniture and reputable skin care products.

Skin care products contain irritating ingredients

When the skin has a weak protective barrier and the nerves react easily, be careful with ingredients such as:

1. Alcohol,
2. Artificial colors and flavors,
3. Strong cleaning agents such as acids or soaps.

In this article, along with detailed analysis of what sensitive skin is like. Dermalogica hopes that readers will know how to love their skin more. You can learn more about oily skin in detail here .

If you are interested in improving sensitive skin, please contact our Hotline. You will be given a free experience of the online facial analysis service using artificial intelligence technology and Oriental diagnostics. Hopefully we will be the place to bring you radiant, healthy skin!