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