Highly reactive, sensitive skin requires special and gentle care to avoid tightness, itching, irritation, and redness. To prevent the onset of these discomforting sensations, here are 5 practices to adopt when you have sensitive skin.
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5 steps to care for sensitive skin.
Summary
- What are the characteristics of sensitive skin?
- Step No. 1: Use soft fabrics
- Step No. 2: Rely on treatments without fragrance or irritating active ingredients
- Step No. 3: Use a suitable moisturizing cream
- Step No. 4: Do not use mechanical exfoliants
- Step No.5: Adjust your diet
- Sources
Published February 23, 2023,
updated on February 16, 2024,
by
Pauline, Head of Scientific Communication
—
7 min read
What are the characteristics of sensitive skin?
The structure of a sensitive skin is slightly different from non-sensitive skin: thinner, its epidermis is also more fragile and contains fewer corneocytes, which make up the horny layer, and transglutaminases. The latter are involved in the process of protein bridging, in other words, the formation of bonds between the different proteins of the epidermis, which contributes to the maintenance of its structure.
Thus, corneocytes and transglutaminases both contribute to the skin's protection against external aggressions and play a barrier role. In some cases, sensitive skin secretes more pro-inflammatory cytokines. These molecules involved in the inflammatory response are notably responsible for irritations and redness, characteristics of sensitive skin. Finally, it is observed that the synthesis of filaggrin, a protein of the epithelium playing a key role in the skin barrier, is less significant in individuals with sensitive skin.
It's important to note that sensitive skin is a skin condition and not a skin type. Therefore, dry, oily, or combination skin can all be affected by this hypersensitivity. The reactivity of sensitive skin primarily stems from a loss in the effectiveness of the skin barrier, which can be temporary or permanent.
Many factors can be responsible: genetics, pollution, light exposure, stress, sudden temperature changes, the application of certain chemical or calcareous products, hormonal imbalance... Exposure to these stimuli causes sensitive skin to react, making it uncomfortable and sometimes painful.
Tingling, tightness, sensations of heat, redness, irritations, and inflammations are the most common responses. To avoid them, it is necessary to take care of sensitive skin by adopting certain practices and using suitable products. Indeed, sensitive skin is particularly reactive and can be affected by the slightest change. Here are some tips to take care of it.
Step No. 1: Use soft fabrics.
Using a handkerchief or abrasive towel can cause tingling and tightness. Opt for soft fabrics if you need to dry your face or remove makeup. This practice is also recommended for people with allergies or colds. These uncomfortable conditions may prompt you to blow your nose constantly, which will eventually irritate the area around the nose and mouth. It is also advisable to avoid rubbing the skin, as this could cause redness and irritation. When using a cloth or applying a treatment, it is better to gently pat and make soft movements.
Step No. 2: Rely on treatments without fragrance or irritating active ingredients.
There are other habits to avoid if you have reactive skin. The use of certain ingredients such as essential oils, sulfates, or fragrances should be avoided. Indeed, essential oils contain several allergens such as linalool and limonene. Sulfates, often found in shampoos or shower gels, can potentially alter the hydrolipidic barrier by clinging to the lipids of the stratum corneum. This layer is thinner in people with sensitive skin, so it's important to avoid further weakening it. Lastly, fragrances contain several alcohols, which can potentially be irritating or allergenic.
Step No. 3: Use a suitable moisturizing cream.
To care for sensitive skin, it is necessary to use suitable products. Incorporating a moisturizing cream into one's routine is recommended: a gentle and soothing treatment will help strengthen the epidermal barrier and nourish the skin. In case of irritations or itching, it can also relieve the skin and reduce discomfort. It is therefore important that it contains emollients, which help to soften and make the skin more supple.
At Typology, we have formulated a moisturizing cream containing only 9 ingredients for daily application and suitable for sensitive skin. Enriched with hyaluronic acid (INCI name: Sodium Hyaluronate), it retains water in the skin cells and provides instant hydration to the skin. With its light texture, this treatment nourishes and hydrates the epidermis to strengthen the skin barrier, further enhanced by the presence of coconut oil (INCI name: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil).
In addition, you can use our soothing serum with 9 ingredients. It hydrates and soothes the skin while reducing redness. Based on beta-glucan, a natural polysaccharide, this serum reduces skin hypersensitivity by stimulating the self-defense capabilities of the skin barrier.
minimalist formula treatments have been tested and approved for sensitive skin under dermatological control.
Step No. 4: Do not use mechanical exfoliants.
Mechanical or grain-based scrubs require significant rubbing and are too abrasive for sensitive skin. To remove dead cells and promote cell renewal, it is better to turn towards a enzymatic or chemical scrub, which are gentler. These scrubs are distinguished by the type of exfoliating agents used in their composition: fruit enzymes for enzymatic scrubs and typically AHA, BHA, or PHA for chemical scrubs.
One to two scrubs per week are generally recommended for exfoliating and purifying the skin. However, it is not advised for individuals with sensitive skin to exfoliate more than once every two weeksdue to the sensitivity of the skin surface.
At Typology, we recommend our exfoliating cleansing gel with 5% PHA (INCI name: Gluconolactone) to individuals with sensitive skin. Usable in the morning and/or evening, it provides a gradual micro-exfoliation of the skin to unclog pores, smooth the skin texture, and reveal a radiant and even complexion.
Step No.5: Adjust your diet.
Diet can also play a role in skin comfort. For those with sensitive skin, it is advisable to avoid certain foods. So-called stimulating foods like coffee and chili peppers, for example, should be avoided. These foods can slightly increase body temperature, which may promote the dilation of blood vessels, a condition that tends to be more noticeable on sensitive skin. Similarly, it is recommended to limit the consumption of saturated fats due to their inflammatory effect.
Sources:
MAIBACH H. & al. Sensitive skin: an overview. International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2012).
LANE M. & al. A fundamental investigation into aspects of the physiology and biochemistry of the stratum corneum in subjects with sensitive skin. International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2016).
STANDER S. & al. Sensitive skin. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2016).
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