How can you tell the difference between sensitized or sensitive skin?
Both have a few things in common. You may be experiencing redness, itching, burning and dehydration. This is because both of sensitive and sensitized skin have one thing in common- a damaged skin barrier. When your barrier is compromised, the skin is less able to fight out bacteria. irritants and pollutants, triggering your body's immune system to cause inflammation and fight out what doesn't belong.
Sensitive Skin
People that experience sensitive skin usually have felt it for most of their lives. Your skin may feel tight, this is a sign of dehydration. Most of the time, people confuse dehydration with dryness. Dry skin will be more flaky and lack oil. Dehydrated skin lacks water and you'll notice enlarged pores and creases in the skin.
Redness is common with sensitive skin. Your rosey cheeks are so cute, but if you find that they never go away, you may have rosacea.
Is your skin constantly feeling cracked and gets easily irritated from products? This is a sign of a damaged skin barrier!
When your capillaries are over-reactive, you'll experience itching and burning. This is important to pay attention to. Beauty is not pain when it comes to home care. Pay attention to what your skin is telling you.
Sensitized Skin
Typically, people will fall under this category and not know it. Most people don't have an understanding of their routine and purchase the latest tik tok trend in hopes for beautiful glass skin. I'm here with my big buzzer and red lights telling you you're going the WRONG WAY! What works for others, may not work for you! This is why it's important to examine your skin with the help of an esthetician and get to know yourself. Pay attention to what your skin is showing and feeling, it just wants to be loved and cared for.
Sensitized skin happens through habits and environmental stresses. Understanding what outside factors will cause sensitivity will help you achieve healthier skin.
Examine life style. Smoking, diet, alcohol and sometimes ingredients can trigger a negative response in the skin.
Pollution, allergens and weather changes are common irritants of the skin. Have you noticed when your sitting in front of a heater or air conditioner your skin starts feeling tight?
Girls, let's be honest... Aunt flow comes to visit every month with all of her baggage and drops right on our cheeks and chin with vengeance. HATER! Stress and hormones play a part in feeling sensitized. If you know your time of the month is approaching, prepare to be more gentle to your skin.
Home care
Heat can trigger inflammation in the skin. If you're feeling sensitive, don't try to scrub your problems away. Use some ice to cool down the skin and incorporate a hydrating and soothing mask.
Now that we understand sensitivity is basically a sign of a damaged barrier. It's important to use barrier repairing products along with hydration to restore the skin back to health. Use gentle and pH balanced products and try to avoid stripping or overly aggressive exfoliants and scrubs for now.