First of all, you need to figure out which skin should be considered sensitive. Strictly scientifically, and not judging by personal feelings. As the experience of dermatologists shows, this question is far from idle, because even owners of reactive skin are often confused in concepts. But incorrect conclusions lead to the wrong choice.
Risk group
Redness, rash, itching and irritation can be both a symptom of allergies and a sign of specific failures in the upper layers of the dermis. It is very easy to draw a border. If discomfort occurs within half an hour after applying a specific beauty product, we are talking about sensitive skin. Most often, this is not a permanent diagnosis or an innate feature, but only a temporary condition. It arises in response to «everyday stimuli», which can be safely attributed not only to illiterate care, but also stress, improper nutrition, including a fascination with fasting and meaningless diets, diseases ‒ for example, prolonged seasonal colds, unfavorable climatic conditions. However, this problem can only be called temporary relatively. When it is possible to change the climate or move to a region where the water has a pleasant level of softness, the problem may disappear. And if it is not possible to change the address of residence, it remains only to accept. The owners of the first and second phototypes will also have to accept their genes: they are awarded sensitive skin by nature.
Double effect
Strictly speaking, the uppermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, becomes «reactive». It is covered with a hydrolipidic mantle, the main task of which is to ensure the integrity of the skin. When the horny cells on the surface of the epidermis are tightly pressed together, they perfectly perform a protective barrier function: they repel bacterial attacks and retain moisture inside. The role of «glue» is played by fats ‒ lipids. But when unfavorable factors affect the skin, the stratum corneum is disturbed, and less lipids begin to be produced. The barrier function weakens, and in parallel, aseptic microinflammation of nerve endings is triggered, therefore, immediately after washing or applying cosmetics, local redness, itching, peeling, tingling or tingling appear. At the same time, the skin type can be any: it can be both dry and oily.
New rules
You need to learn how to take care of sensitive skin. Even if she is very capricious and gives you a lot of trouble, you can choose the right tools. Moreover, it is necessary to do this. When the stratum corneum is half-functioning, it is important to restore the hydrolipidic layer every day. Without the help of competent cosmetics, this will not work. And we still have to adjust the most basic skin care rituals. The sooner you learn the new rules, the sooner you will feel the long-awaited relief.
The feeling of «pure to the creak» is categorically impossible to allow. When washing, do not use soap in any case. After it, a sharply alkaline environment forms on the surface of the skin. It completely dissolves the protective hydrolipidic layer. If you add a hard sponge to the soap, and even on a daily basis, expect a catastrophe. Soft facial sponges can only be used by owners of oily skin, and exclusively in tandem with a gentle cleansing foam or mousse, certainly with a pH level not higher than 4.
If the tap water in your city is hard or excessively chlorinated, the skin will additionally dry out, causing irritation to occur more often. In this case, you will have to change the entire ritual of washing. Meltwater will be a saving alternative. It is even better to use mineral water: natural salts in its composition will have an additional calming effect. After washing, wait 5-10 minutes, and then be sure to blot your face with a napkin. If this step is ignored, the salts will begin to pull the life-giving moisture from the epidermis. For owners of very dry skin, it is wiser to completely abandon classic washes. It is better to wipe your face carefully, without pressure, with a cotton pad soaked in micellar liquid, invented specifically for the most sensitive.
It is best to choose specialized cosmetics specifically for sensitive skin. Hypoallergenic formulas are also suitable, but you can try ordinary creams. Just test them thoroughly from now on before buying. Apply a small amount of the product to the inner surface of the forearm at the very bend of the elbow and see what happens next. It is best to evaluate the results not after a couple of hours, as we are used to doing, but the next day.
Carefully study the composition. The fewer components the formula contains, the better. Ideally, you need to select products that contain only soothing and moisturizing substances. And remember: an undesirable reaction, especially an allergic one, can be provoked by absolutely any component. Contrary to popular belief, it is not synthetic molecules that cause the most problems, but plant components, especially aromatic oils. The latter negatively affect the very structure of the skin. It is better to avoid them: with allergies, irritation will increase. Wax, mineral and synthetic oils (petroleum jelly, paraffin, etc.) are then sent to the blacklist. They clog the sebaceous glands, accelerating the loss of moisture. Keep in mind that this trinity is often used in the production of decorative cosmetics, so do not hesitate to experiment with probes right in the store. And with some means it is better not to experiment at all. Cleansing foams and mousses are better to choose immediately without sulfates. Scrubs should be used only on the basis of fruit acids. It is optimal if it is glycolic acid.
Some super-useful substances in the composition of beauty products can increase irritation if the skin is a priori sensitive. So, discomfort is often provoked by retinol (vitamin A) or vitamin C. It is best to select funds with these ingredients in the composition in the company of an experienced dermatologist.
