Sensitive skin: features, indications, and precautions

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. When you feel discomfort in a certain area of your body, it is hard to ignore. That is why you may notice so many products on store shelves labeled “for sensitive skin.” This type requires special care. But what exactly is “sensitive skin”? What recommendations should be followed to ensure that the symptoms of this skin type do not affect your quality of life – we will discuss this further in the article.

What is sensitive skin like?

Sensitive skin is primarily a condition characterized by a tendency to increased irritation, as well as a pronounced reaction to various irritants: cold, wind, heat, stress, cosmetics, food products, vitamin deficiencies, etc. The reaction of sensitive skin can vary from mild discomfort and dryness, tightness, to redness, itching, flaking, and the appearance of rashes.

Often, skin sensitivity can also be caused by conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis, rosacea, and others. 

Sensitive skin can be found in dry, oily, or combination skin types. However, the most prone to sensitivity is dry skin. Therefore, it is often possible to confuse the manifestations of dry skin with the manifestations of epidermal sensitivity.

Dry or sensitive skin: how to distinguish?

Due to the similarity of symptoms, skin can be both sensitive and prone to dryness, but there is a difference between these types.

Dry skin occurs when the upper layer of the epidermis dries out due to a lack of moisture. This can be caused by genetic factors and environmental factors – very low or very high temperatures – as well as harsh cleansing products.

Symptoms of dry skin include:

• Tightness of the skin

• Mild itching

• Flaking

• Cracks in the skin that may bleed

Meanwhile, sensitive skin may manifest as follows:

• Red, swollen, and itchy skin

• Redness of the skin with or without swelling

• Skin that stings or burns

• Rash or hives

• Dryness and cracks

• Areas of skin that are dry and rough

How to care for sensitive skin?

If you have sensitive skin, these manifestations will likely accompany you throughout your life. However, you need to pay attention to a number of specific recommendations that will help reduce sensitivity and discomfort:

• Avoid taking very hot or cold showers.

• Do not scrub or peel the skin, even if there is a need.

• Choose a facial and body cleanser with moisturizing and regenerating components that will care for cleansing dirt and soothing. Pay attention to the presence of components such as allantoin, D-panthenol, and niacinamide in the products.

• Use a sunscreen suitable for sensitive skin. You can choose the Uveelite SPF 50+ cream. Also, when the sun is active, cover your skin with clothing and headwear.

• Regularly apply a moisturizing cream to prevent skin dryness. For example, you can consider a cream with urea and lactic acid Dermolite Replenishing. This product is suitable for sensitive, dry, and rough skin.

• Avoid applying perfumes to the skin.

• Do not overload the skin with decorative cosmetics. If possible, limit use or choose cosmetics labeled “for sensitive skin.”

• Avoid heavily scented cosmetics and laundry detergents.

• Protect yourself from mental and emotional stress.

These relatively simple steps will help alleviate the condition, reduce irritations, and restore the skin.

If you feel discomfort on your skin, the first thing to do is to determine the cause of the sensitivity and limit its recurrence. And remember, finding and selecting the necessary products for your skin type will be helped by a dermatologist.