| Is your skin easily damaged or | | | | What to do about your skin? |
| irritated? | | | | Perfume or scented creams can be |
| Is your skin dry, delicate and prone to | | | | irritating. |
| irritant or allergic reactions? | | | | Rinse well after using cleansing |
| Does your skin have a reduced tolerance | | | | products, which should be mild and |
| to cold, heat, wind, temperature | | | | soap-free as they do not remove so much |
| changes, or pollution? | | | | oil from the skin. |
| If you answer yes to any or all of these | | | | Use a moisturizer and sunscreen that is |
| questions, consider yourself a member of | | | | formulated for sensitive skin |
| the “sensitive skin” club to which | | | | Don't over wash your face. Temperature |
| 56 per cent of Canadian women claim to | | | | of the water should be tepid; neither |
| belong. Of this group, more than 46 per | | | | hot or cold |
| cent also have dry skin. | | | | Don't use exfoliants |
| What is sensitive skin? | | | | Be aware of seasonal temperatures. The |
| Generally if you have easily irritated | | | | sudden dryness of winter can mean itchy, |
| or reactive skin, then you have | | | | dry skin until the skin responds by |
| ‘sensitive skin’. Most of the time | | | | increasing oil production to reduce the |
| sensitive skin relates to the face. | | | | water loss |
| Sensitive skin can be caused by a | | | | For breakouts use a cleanser with |
| genetic predisposition or environmental | | | | salicylic acid to help exfoliate pores. |
| factors. It appears as a redness, a | | | | There are also moisturizers that contain |
| swelling, itchy and dry irritation to | | | | salicylic acid |
| the face. One of the major jobs of the | | | | Be sensitive to stress |
| skin is to waterproof. This is done to | | | | The causes and effects of stress on the |
| the epidermis or surface layer of the | | | | body are not fully known, but for some |
| skin, producing a fat-protein sandwich | | | | people stress interferes with the body's |
| that is always being replaced and is | | | | systems that repair and regulate the |
| vital to prevent too much water loss | | | | skin. Stress kills your natural |
| from the skin. | | | | antioxidant defenses, which help to |
| Symptoms of sensitive skin include: | | | | prevent accelerated aging of the skin. |
| * A tingling or tightening of the skin | | | | Hormones can also trigger a histamine |
| without visible signs | | | | release within the skin causing it to |
| * “Overreaction” to skin care or | | | | erupt in bumpy redness, or breakout in |
| cosmetic products | | | | hives. |
| * Reactions to shaving, or other | | | | Desensitize yourself |
| physical stress to the skin | | | | When choosing makeup, especially |
| Sensitive skin can also be a heads-up | | | | foundation and blush, buy oil-free |
| for other conditions, such as: | | | | products. Makeup that is water-based |
| * Altered skin -- due to shaving, | | | | won't clog pores. Look for oil-absorbing |
| waxing, medications or heat, cold, wind, | | | | foundations that help keep oil off the |
| and pollution. Also, laser or chemical | | | | face. |
| peels or scar removal | | | | As for the rest of your body, check |
| * Allergic skin – the sudden | | | | ingredients and avoid harsh chemicals in |
| appearance of redness or swelling and | | | | soaps, shampoos, body cleansers and |
| itchiness | | | | creams, bath oils, bubble baths, etc. |
| * Atopic skin – dry skin that is itchy | | | | Put your best face forward Watch your |
| and produces eczema. Eczema is related | | | | alcohol intake, spicy foods and caffeine |
| to hayfever and asthma. (see Eczema | | | | |
| Guide for more information) | | | | Try to avoid excessive temperature |
| * Rosacea skin - blood vessels of the | | | | changes |
| face enlarge resulting in a flushed | | | | Use the right cleansers, moisturizers |
| sensation or a redness of the skin | | | | and cosmetics |
| | | | Manage stress as best you can. |