Highly reactive, sensitive skin requires special and gentle care to avoid tightness, itching, irritation, and redness. To prevent the onset of these discomforting sensations, here are 5 practices to adopt when you have sensitive skin.
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5 actions to take care of sensitive skin.
Summary
- What are the characteristics of sensitive skin?
- Step No. 1: Use soft fabrics
- Step No. 2: Rely on treatments without fragrance or irritating active ingredients
- Step No. 3: Use a suitable moisturising cream
- Step No. 4: Do not use mechanical exfoliants
- Step No. 5: Adapt your diet
- Sources
Published February 23, 2023,
updated on February 16, 2024,
by
Pauline, Head of Scientific Communication
—
7 min read
What are the characteristics of sensitive skin?
The structure of a sensitive skin is slightly different from non-sensitive skin: thinner, its epidermis is also more fragile and contains fewer corneocytes, constituents of the horny layer, and transglutaminases. The latter are involved in the process of protein bridging, in other words, the formation of bonds between the different proteins of the epidermis, which contributes to the maintenance of its structure.
Thus, corneocytes and transglutaminases both contribute to the protection of the skin against external aggressions and play a barrier role. In some cases, sensitive skins secrete more pro-inflammatory cytokines. These molecules involved in the inflammatory response are notably responsible for irritations and redness, characteristics of sensitive skin. Finally, it is observed that the synthesis of filaggrin, a protein of the epithelium playing a key role in the skin barrier, is less significant in people with sensitive skin.
It is important to note that sensitive skin is a skin condition and not a skin type. Therefore, dry, oily, or combination skin can be affected by this hypersensitivity. The reactivity of sensitive skin primarily stems from a loss in the effectiveness of the skin barrier, which can be temporary or permanent.
There are numerous factors that can be responsible: genetics, pollution, light exposure, stress, sudden changes in temperature, the application of certain chemical or calcareous products, hormonal imbalance... Exposure to these stimuli causes sensitive skin to react, making it uncomfortable and sometimes painful.
Tingling, tightness, sensations of heat, redness, irritations and inflammations are the most common responses. To avoid them, it is necessary to take care of sensitive skin by adopting certain practices and using suitable products. Indeed, sensitive skin is particularly reactive and can be affected by the slightest change. Here are some tips to take care of it.
Step No. 1: Use soft fabrics.
The use of a handkerchief or an abrasive towel can cause tingling and tightness. Opt for soft fabrics if you need to dry your face or remove your makeup. This habit is also recommended for people with allergies or colds. These uncomfortable conditions may prompt you to blow your nose constantly, which will eventually irritate the area around the nose and mouth. It is also advisable to avoid rubbing the skin, as this could cause redness and irritation. When using a cloth or applying a treatment, it is better to gently pat and perform soft movements.
Step No. 2: Rely on treatments without fragrance or irritating active ingredients.
There are other habits to avoid if you have reactive skin. The use of certain ingredients such as essential oils, sulfates or fragrances should be avoided. Indeed, essential oils contain several allergens such as linalool and limonene. Sulfates, often found in shampoos or shower gels, are likely to damage the hydrolipidic barrier by clinging to the lipids of the stratum corneum. This layer is thinner in people with sensitive skin, so it is important to avoid weakening it further. Finally, fragrances contain several alcohols, which can potentially be irritating or allergenic.
Step No. 3: Use a suitable moisturising cream.
To care for sensitive skin, it is necessary to use suitable products. Incorporating a moisturising cream into one's routine is advisable: a gentle and soothing treatment will help to strengthen the epidermal barrier and nourish the skin. In case of irritations or itchiness, it can also provide relief for the skin and reduce discomfort. It is therefore important that it contains emollients, which help to soften and make the skin more supple.
At Typology, we have formulated a moisturising cream containing only 9 ingredients for daily application and suitable for sensitive skin. Enriched with hyaluronic acid (INCI name: Sodium Hyaluronate), it retains water in the skin cells and provides instant hydration to the skin. With its light texture, this treatment nourishes and hydrates the epidermis to strengthen the skin barrier, further enhanced by the presence of coconut oil (INCI name: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil).
In addition, you can utilise our soothing serum composed of 9 ingredients. It hydrates and soothes the skin while reducing redness. Based on beta-glucan, a natural polysaccharide, this serum reduces skin hypersensitivity by stimulating the self-defence capabilities of the skin barrier.
minimalist formula treatments have been tested and approved for sensitive skin under dermatological control.
Step No. 4: Do not use mechanical exfoliants.
Mechanical or grain-based scrubs require significant rubbing and are too abrasive for sensitive skin. To remove dead cells and promote cell renewal, it is preferable to turn towards a enzymatic or chemical scrub, which are gentler. These scrubs are distinguished by the type of exfoliating agents used in their composition: fruit enzymes for enzymatic scrubs and typically AHA, BHA or PHA for chemical scrubs.
One to two scrubs per week are generally recommended for exfoliating and purifying the skin. However, it is not advised for individuals with sensitive skin to exfoliate more than once every fortnight, due to the sensitivity of the skin surface.
At Typology, we recommend our exfoliating cleansing gel with 5% PHA (INCI name: Gluconolactone) to those with sensitive skin. Suitable for use in the morning and/or evening, it provides a gradual micro-exfoliation of the skin to unclog pores, smooth the skin texture and reveal a radiant and even complexion.
Step No. 5: Adapt your diet.
Diet can also play a role in skin comfort. When one has sensitive skin, it is preferable to avoid certain foods. Those known as stimulants, such as coffee and chilli, for example, should be avoided. These are likely to slightly increase body temperature, which can promote the dilation of blood vessels, a phenomenon that tends to be more noticeable on sensitive skin. Similarly, it is advisable to limit the consumption of saturated fats due to their inflammatory effect.
Sources:
MAIBACH H. & al. Sensitive skin: an overview. International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2012).
LANE M. & al. A comprehensive study into the physiology and biochemistry of the stratum corneum in individuals with sensitive skin. International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2016).
STANDER S. & et al. Sensitive skin. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2016).
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