Why Is My Skin So Sensitive?
Working as a freelance copywriter for the Cetaphil brand, I was tasked to create an article highlighting skin sensitivity. The piece needed to offer justified reasoning, as well as include sources for further information.
Below is what was submitted.
The original piece became the inspiration for Your Guide to Sensitive Skin.
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We’re sure it's a bit of a chore trying to predict or understand your skin’s constant changes; however, before you turn inward and assume you’ve done something wrong, consider a few external (and some internal) factors attributing to your skin’s sensitivity. First, here are some quick facts:
When determining sensitive skin, dermatologists usually look for skin reactions such as skin bumps or erosions, extremely dry skin, excessive redness or blushing of the skin.
Often skin sensitivities are caused by conditions such as rosacea, eczema, dermatitis, or an allergic reaction. If your skin sensitivities persist, consult your dermatologist or general practitioner.
Between 60-70% of women and 50-60% of men report having some degree of skin sensitivity, so you’re not alone. [1]
Also, a recent survey shows 176 people indicated weather, chemicals such as soap and pollutants, as well as hormones and mental health, impacted their skin health. Even further, 78% of consumers who claimed to have unusually sensitive skin, avoided purchasing specific products due to unpleasant sensory effects with the skin.[2] These reactions are usually brief and accompanied by typical indicators such as redness, dryness, or itchy skin.
With so many reasons and ways the skin can be activated, let’s look at some common indicators for skin sensitivity which include the environment, fragrances and pollutants, and lastly, lifestyle.
The Environment
Seasonal shifts in the weather are a key factor in skin sensitivity. Lately, our weather tends to be unpredictable, and this can take a toll on our skin. Consider how your skin reacts to extreme hot and cold temperatures. If you travel, leaving a cold environment and thrusting your skin into dry heat or even thick humidity, may cause the skin to react adversely. Having creams or lotions with varying consistencies can help your skin retain moisture no matter the environment. Also, consider adding oil-based moisturizers to your skincare arsenal to maintain radiance and suppleness.
And while most people reserve SPF and sunscreen for the summer months, having products with an SPF protectant all year round helps protect the skin’s barrier from UV rays. Just because the sun isn’t always visible, doesn’t mean the UV rays aren’t there. In fact, most of our skin’s triggers occur from things we can’t see or touch.
Fragrances and Pollutants
While we love fragrances, they can sometimes be unkind to our skin, and potentially even more so if combined with the pollutants in the air that our skin is exposed to daily. One way to best understand your skin’s level of sensitivity is to track it. Keep a journal or log of when your skin experiences irritations, tightness, or discomfort. This can help identify any sensitivities, as well as provide insight to a dermatologist, should you decide to see one.
Also consider using a body wash or water-based cleanser, as opposed to bar soap which can often dry the skin. While most products contain certain chemicals to treat skin conditions, as well as preserve shelf life, knowing which chemicals react adversely to the skin can help determine which products are best for daily use. Be open to alternates of your favorite products with little to no fragrance or minimal ingredients.
If something stronger for your sensitive skin is necessary, consult a dermatologist to determine the best products for your needs.
Our Lifestyle
Be it rosy cheeks when anxious or nervous, a bit of sweat when laughing, or dry lips at the crack of dawn, our body reacts to both our internal and external environment. Our hormones and mental health are ways our lifestyle can affect our skin. If you’re a person who experiences menstruation, you may have discomfort from your skin being easily irritated, extra dry, or even oily. This can sometimes show up as period acne, so don’t be alarmed.
Stress is another hormonal shift that is attributed to sensitive skin and manifests as blushing, redness, bumps, or breakouts. We can aid our mental health, as well as our skin health, by destressing the body.
Find time to decompress from life’s hustle and bustle, and REST! Be active by incorporating simple holistic practices such as yoga or meditation, some good old-fashioned cardio, or maybe even herbal tea as part of your daily regimen. When experts encourage us to drink water and eat healthily, it’s more than lip service, it’s for our overall health—including our skin health.
While our skin is complex, how we care for it doesn’t have to be.
If at any point your symptoms increase and cause significant distress in your daily life, consult a general practitioner or a dermatologist to find out if there’s more to the story. Sometimes skin conditions such as eczema or rosacea are overlooked or dismissed, so don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself in your time of need.
Having a relationship with your skin can assist your healthcare provider with offering the best solutions and providing the clarity you need to help your skin be and look its best.
[1] Farage M. A. (2019). The Prevalence of Sensitive Skin. Frontiers in medicine, 6, 98. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2019.00098
[2] Farage M. A. (2019). The Prevalence of Sensitive Skin. Frontiers in medicine, 6, 98. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2019.00098
