Sensitive Skin or Sensitized Skin?
Do you suspect you might have Sensitive Skin? Does it seem to react to everything? Does your skin burn, sting, itch, or become inflamed when you apply cosmetics or skin care products? Do you flush, or turn red easily? Perhaps you burn in moderate sunlight? Do you have thinner, fairer skin, Northern European ancestry? Is there a family history of hay fever, asthma, or eczema?
If you answered yes to these questions you probably have Sensitive Skin which is an actual inherited skin type.
Then again you may have environmentally Sensitized Skin – not a type but a condition brought on by environmental triggers. Sensitized Skin is in fact the most rapidly growing concern among those seeking advice from a Skin Care Therapist, It can affect any age or race, and any skin type, from dry skin to acne. Our skin, quite literally, is under attack from environmental pollutants and chemicals in the atmosphere, from irritants found in many cosmetics and skin products, from harsh scrubs, and from improper cleansing habits at home. With continued assault the skin’s natural defense barrier (comprised of lipids and natural moisturizers) begins to break down and skin becomes more permeable to potential irritants.
Whether sensitive or sensitized, treatment is very much the same. And in either case the “less is more” principle applies. It is essential that proper, gentle home care be established. Avoiding certain irritants and triggers, and habits that damage the skin is critical.
Cosmetic ingredients such as fragrances, D&C color, preservatives, S.D. alcohol, and formaldehyde cause irritation and are often potentially harmful to the skin.
Harsh scrubs and over-exfoliating can weaken the skin’s barrier function. And for men, incorrect shaving can do the same. Be wary of home dermabrasion kits and nut shell or apricot kernel scrubs; they have the potential to irritate and damage your facial skin. Enzyme microfoliants are much gentler, removing dead surface cells while keeping the barrier in tact.
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Hot water and soap are damaging to the skin’s barrier function. Instead use lukewarm water and a pH balanced, ultra calming cleanser, with a soft facial chamois to cleanse your skin.
Certain foods can stimulate blood flow, causing the skin to flush or become red. These include alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods, and sometimes dairy.
Hormonal changes such a puberty, pregnancy, and menopause may also trigger sensitivity.
Long periods of stress can disrupt the immune system, impairing the immune function of the skin.
Outdoor and indoor environmental pollution, including household chemicals, can cause a free radical cascade. Antioxidant Vitamin E is naturally found in the skin’s membranes but it is often unable to keep up with continuous exposure.
So what is a person to do??!!
Always moisturize! Moisturizers help lock in critical hydration and protect your skin from the environment. Adjust your moisturizer to changing weather and climatic conditions. During winter a more emollient moisturizer may be needed. If your skin is sensitized you may need to use products formulated to rebuild the health of the skin, or provide an artificial barrier when the skin’s own barrier is compromised.
Throughout the year, every day, use chemical free sun screens that block UVA and UVB rays.
Avoid triggers that cause your skin to redden or flush. Stay away from hot tubs, saunas, and tanning beds.
Consult with a Skin Care professional to help identify the issues, treat your concerns, and provide education to help you improve your skin’s health.
Use high quality professional skin care products prescribed for the unique needs and conditions of YOUR skin.
Regular Facial Treatments also help to repair and heal damaged skin. During your treatment a highly active, deeply penetrating serum concentrate reduces redness and inflammation and helps prevent subsequent irritation. When combined with painless galvanic current the benefit is even longer lasting and redness is reduced even more. (link to electrotherapies article from previous newsletter) Lymph Drainage Therapy (link to LDT information page on Mirabella web site) detoxifies and purifies the skin, improving the overall health of the skin, as well as the immune system.
Dermalogica has developed these excellent products to be used at home to help soothe, repair, and protect sensitive and sensitized skin: Ask for samples at Mirabella.
UltraCalming Cleanser for Face and Eyes
An extremely-gentle cleansing gel-cream that combats environmental assault with Dermalogica's exclusive Anti-Ozonate Complex. Protects and soothes skin sensitized by pollution, temperature extremes, irritating cosmetic products, harsh detergents, chemical exposure, stress, poor diet or hormonal factors. Also contains Lavender, Echinacea and Raspberry extracts for their anti-inflammatory, calming and healing properties. This cleanser is effective enough to remove eye make-up, and can be either rinsed off or gently removed with cotton. Leaves no irritating residue and is formulated for even the most hypersensitive skin that cannot tolerate water.
Daily Microfoliant
This unique, Rice-based enzyme powder activates upon contact with water, releasing Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes to smooth the skin and accelerate cell renewal. Our unique Skin Brightening Complex of Bearberry, Aspergillus, Grapefruit and Licorice helps to balance uneven skin pigmentation. Active agents derived from Rice Bran and Rice Extract help to regulate melanin production while micro-exfoliating dead cells. A super-soothing blend of Green Tea, Ginkgo and Colloidal Oatmeal calms inflammation, leaving the skin extraordinarily clear and refreshed. Gentle enough to use on a daily basis.
Soothing Protection Spray
An ultra-calming spray formulated with Dermalogica's exclusive Anti-Ozonate Complex to protect skin from reactive ozone while botanicals immediately reduce irritation, redness and inflammation. Shields skin from further environmental assault caused by temperature extremes, pollution, irritating cosmetic products, harsh detergents, chemical exposure, stress, poor diet or hormonal factors. Soothing Green Tea, Canadian Willow Herb, Cucumber, Licorice and Raspberry extracts deliver potent anti-itching, healing and antioxidant properties
Barrier Repair
A unique anhydrous (waterless) moisturizer that melts gently into sensitized skin to soothe and help repair damage caused by environmental aggressions. Formulated with Dermalogica's exclusive Anti-Ozonate Complex to protect skin from reactive ozone. Oil of Evening Primrose and emollient silicones provide a velvety feel, while strengthening the skin's natural lipid barrier to resist future damage. Shea Butter, Vitamin C and Bisabolol protect skin from dehydration, free radicals and inflammation.
Gentle Soothing Booster
A concentrated, oil-free complex of ultra-soothing botanicals to calm and hydrate irritated or sensitized skin. Soothing Red Raspberry Extract, healing Honey and calming flower extracts instantly reduce irritation while restoring natural moisture levels.
MultiVitamin Power Recovery Masque
A powerful masque of concentrated vitamins A, C, E and F to help skin recover from damage that leads to skin aging while enhancing barrier properties and promoting healthy tissue regeneration. Vitamin A helps increase elasticity and moisture content while antioxidant vitamins C and E help shield skin from Reactive Oxygen Species (free radicals). Nutrient-rich Algae Extract helps moisturize and soften skin, and Pro-Vitamin B5 helps promote restoration of damaged skin while botanical extracts of Licorice, Comfrey and Burdock soothe, calm and help decrease sensitivity. Use this revitalizing masque as the ultimate remedy for dulling, dry, dehydrated, lackluster, photodamaged skin and skin aging.
Ultra Sensitive Faceblock
This tinted and richly emollient moisturizer combines a chemical-free sunscreen with a light wash of color to defend even the most dry and sensitive skin conditions from exposure to daylight. Titanium Dioxide reflects both UVA and UVB rays, while rich conditioning agents and vitamins A, C and E create a shield against environmental drying and irritation. Soothing Grape Seed and Green Tea extracts help to further calm the skin.
Super Sensitive Faceblock
A chemical-free sunscreen and skin treatment designed for skin commonly irritated by sun protection ingredients. Lavender, Green Tea and Licorice soothe irritation while mineral UV-blockers Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide invisibly defend against UVA and UVB rays.
Environmental Control Deodorant
Take control of your personal environment with this natural odor protection. Ideally suited for even the most sensitive skin, our blend of Coriander, Parsley, Clove and Hyssop neutralizes odor, while other plant-derived agents inhibit odor causing bacteria. Free of potentially irritating Aluminum Chlorohydrate and drying Alcohol. The invisible formula glides on smoothly and absorbs quickly, leaving no white residue or stains.
The Sponge Cloth
A super-soft cleansing cloth, gentle enough for even the most sensitized skin. Use dampened with water to remove all Dermalogica cleansers. Rinse cloth thoroughly, and allow to air-dry.
Made from biodegradable, bacteria-resistant fabric.
Machine-washable.
Includes convenient travel pouch.
