What is Sensitive Skin?

Welcome back to the blog!

It's May and things are surely starting to heat up around here, literally. This week Charlotte is peaking in the high 80s all week so you know my excursions outdoors are going to be limited. Your girl can't stand the heat🔥🥵

This month we're going to discuss sensitive skin. During the warmer months many are increasingly miserable because their skin becomes sensitive and they don't know why. So I'm here to help you navigate through this the best way I can so you can continue to enjoy the things you love! So let's explore this.

What is sensitive skin?

Contrary to belief, sensitive skin is not a skin type its actually a considered a symptom of another condition. It's just that simple. BUT there are several conditions that are causing your skin to be come sensitive. Today we'll look into one condition that can cause sensitive skin, eczema. More and more people are dealing with eczema these days and not enough information about how to approach it. So today, we're going to change that.

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) affects your skin’s ability to protect you from irritants, like germs in the air or chemicals in your laundry detergent. This causes you to become extra sensitive to common products that don’t bother other people, such as soaps and cosmetics.

Eczema can cause your skin to become dry, itchy, raw, swollen, cracked and scaly to name a few.

Some causes of this type of eczema are genetics, in which there is family history. Irritants and allergens can play a role, so you might develop dermatitis on the face if you have food allergies or hay fever.

Many people find relief by using an over the counter anti-itch cream and a good moisturizer to soothe and heal their dry skin.

Did you know there are several types of eczema? Many are unaware of it and confused as to why they are experiencing other symptoms. So let's look dig a little deeper in the others.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common type of eczema on the face. It can also affect your scalp and chest. It’s caused by an overgrowth of the yeast Malassezia.

Known symptoms are dryness, itchiness, and redness around your eyebrows, ears, and hairline. Both babies and adults can develop this condition. It’s known as cradle cap in babies and typically lasts until about 6 months old.

People with dandruff sometimes have this type of dermatitis on the face.

There are several causes that can make this type of eczema worse. Your symptoms may worsen when under stress or when exposed to sun and high humidity. I received many emails over the years around this time with customers trying to find relief for these symptoms for themselves and loved ones. Therefore, if you had had your eczema under control, to only have it flare up out of nowhere, chances are stressed or high humidity could be the culprit.

How to care for your skin, lower your stress levels. Pre-teens/teens may be stressing over final tests for the school year. Help them lower stress by doing some fun activities to take their minds off it. The same for adults, do things that are fun that takes your mind off whatever is stressing you.

If humidity is the case, do your best to stay indoors. If this is not an option, do your best to stay as dry as possible. Use light moisturizers to keep the skin cool as well as body powder.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD) occurs when you use products on your face or body that trigger dryness, itchiness and redness. These include facial/body washes, exfoliating products, makeup, sunscreen, and other cosmetic products.

This type of eczema affects all ages, including babies. If your baby is sensitive to lotion or baby wipes, this can be due to ICD. Some babies ca have ICD around their mouth due to moisture from excessive drooling.

How to treat ICD? Test products out in a discreet area at least one day prior to full application. If symptoms occurs, stop using immediately. Don't attempt to keep using it. Take it back to the store for a refund.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

If you’re allergic to an ingredient in a skin-care product or other products that come in contact with your face, your immune system triggers a response. This causes eczema and allergy symptoms like dryness, hives, itchiness, and redness.

Allergic and irritant contact dermatitis can affect other areas of the body, in addition to the face.

You may have a flare after using certain products on your face, such as hair dyes, makeup, nail polish, and even after wearing certain types of jewelry.

If you’re allergic to nickel, earrings made from this metal might also cause a reaction. Symptoms might start around your ear and spread to other parts of your face.

FREE EBOOK!

5 Tips to Keep Your Skin Moisturized!

True story, I had purchased a beautiful necklace from a well known affordable jewelry company and when I wore it to an event, my neck became warm, irritated and itchy. I have many pieces from this company and this was the second necklace that irritated my skin. I applied an anti-fungal cream to it and the irritation went away within 2 days.

How to treat allergic contact dermatitis? Just like ICD, apply products to a discreet area at least one day before full application. When trying new jewelry, try it right away. Wear it for at least an hour to know if it will irritate your skin.

Light Sensitive Eczema

Light Sensitive Eczema is a chronic condition that affects both adults and children. This type of eczema can cause a flare up on your face if you’re sensitive to sunlight and humidity.

Known symptoms are dryness, itchiness, and redness. Wearing sunscreen and staying indoors during hot, humid weather may improve symptoms.

Thank you for reading today's blog. I hope you got some value from it. Share this blog with those you know could benefit from it. As we learned, there are several types of eczema that causes our skin to become sensitive. Did you know this? Did any of these types resonate with you?

Leave me a comment below and let me know if you have eczema and which type? Also, let me know what you plan on doing going forward to relieve your symptoms.

Stay tuned as next week, we're going to discuss another skin condition that causes sensitive skin.

Until next time,

Beauty Mixtress™