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Peau sensible et peau allergique : quelles différences et comment en prendre soin ?

Sensitive skin and allergic skin: what are the differences and how to care for them?

A sensitive skin and an allergic skin react easily and excessively to various stimuli. So, how can we distinguish between them?

Summary
Published October 18, 2022, updated on August 7, 2024, by Maylis, Chemical Engineer — 7 min read
Sensitive skin
Allergy

What are the characteristics of sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin, also referred to as reactive skin, is a condition, not 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), and UV rays...

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

What routine for sensitive skin?

When one has sensitive skin, it is recommended to favour gentle, hydrating/nourishing treatments and avoid products containing perfumes and irritating surfactants such as sulfates. Mechanical exfoliants (or grainy scrubs) should also be avoided.

We have developed various products suitable for sensitive skin, in order to offer you a complete routine that is gentle and as natural as possible.

  1. Every evening, apply ourmakeup removing oilwhich is fragrance-free, to rid your skin of the residues that have accumulated throughout the day. If you prefer a texture that transforms from balm - oil - milk, opt for thecleansing balmwithcamellia oil. This gently removes makeup from the face and eyes and cleanses gently. The skin is left supple, soft and comfortable.

  2. The unifying cleansing gel with niacinamide and sage hydrosol is concentrated with active ingredients to reduce redness and even out the complexion while cleansing the skin of impurities.

  3. Due to the reactivity of your skin, we suggest for the third step of your routine the use of our unifying toner with niacinamide. It will eliminate the lime residues on the skin following cleansing. The advantage of a toner is its ability to rebalance the skin's pH after each cleanse.

  4. In the final step of your routine,apply a few drops of theunifying serum with 12% of niacinamide. This will reduce redness and soothe the skin.You can pair it withour unifying & rebalancing complex with three pre + probiotics. This serum rebalances the skin's ecosystem to prevent the appearance of blemishes and reduce redness. The skin is healthy and the complexion is even.

    If you prefer a cream texture, the face moisturising cream with 9 hydrating ingredients moisturises and nourishes the epidermis. It is enriched with hyaluronic acid and coconut oil. Its texture is suitable for sensitive skin.

What are the characteristics of allergic skin?

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.
An allergic skin reaction 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.

How to take care of your allergic skin on a daily basis?

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. Therefore, there is no zero risk for the user in terms of allergies, 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.

Please note, this information does not eliminate the risk of allergies. Indeed, allergenic substances and allergic reactions can vary from one person to another. For instance, some individuals may be allergic to ingredients considered harmless, such as sweet almond oil.

To determine if a skincare product can cause an allergic reaction, it is necessary to perform a skin tolerance test on a small area of your skin. If you are aware of a particular ingredient that triggers allergies for your skin, check for its presence by reading the label and specifically the I.N.C.I list.

Take note! The term "hypoallergenic" differs from "dermatologically tested". Indeed, "dermatologically tested" indicates that the formula has undergone rigorous testing to prove that it does not present any adverse effects when in contact with the skin. It is not designed to minimise the risk of allergies.

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