Sensitive, reactive, allergic or intolerant skin: is there a difference?

Sensitive skin, also referred to as reactive or intolerant skin, is a condition rather than a type.

As a reminder, there are 4 types of skin (normal, dry, oily or combination), but it can also be sensitive or allergic.

Sensitive skin is not diseased skin, it is intolerant or fragile due to a deficiency in the barrier function that makes it vulnerable to external aggressions. This lowering of the skin's tolerance threshold can be temporary or permanent.

Several factors are responsible for heightened skin sensitivity: heredity, ageing, diet, hormonal imbalance, stress, pollution, certain medical treatments (such as radiotherapy), UV rays, and so on.

Sensitive skin can lead to tingling sensations. Skin discomfort can also manifest as feelings of tightness, burning sensations, or prickling. The face may also display red patches.

Theallergic skin reacts to the contact of certain allergenic compounds and not to external aggressions.An allergic reaction is a response sent by the immune system, unlike sensitive skin where the reaction is inflammatory.
A skin allergy is characterised by redness, swelling, eczema or even hives, most often localised at the point of contact with the offending substance. The reaction occurs every time the skin comes into contact with the allergen. An allergic reaction can appear immediately or within 24 hours following contact with the allergen.

The first step to take if you have allergic skin is to consult your doctor in order to determine the substances to which you are allergic to target products free of these compounds. Generally, hypoallergenic care is recommended. To put it simply, the term "hypoallergenic" means that the product has been formulated to minimise the risk of skin allergies. It thus contains a reduced number of sensitising substances or is completely devoid of them. The zero risk for the user in terms of allergies does not exist, but it is minimised. In a way, the term "hypoallergenic" means that common allergens are absent from the product's composition. These include, among others, acrylates, parabens, bronopol, nickel sulphate, benzophenone-3, synthetic fragrances, alcohol, dyes, sulphates and even phenoxyethanol. Moreover, it's not just synthetic ingredients that are excluded. Certain essential oils can also be particularly allergenic and will not be present in a so-called "hypoallergenic" formula.