Sensitized skin on the other hand is a skin condition brought on by certain environmental, biological and physiological stressors. While a skin type cannot be altered, a skin condition can in most cases be prevented, and when not, successfully remedied.
Here are some of the triggers that may cause sensitized skin:
- Excessive sun exposure
- Dry cold weather
- Alcohol and cigarette smoking
- Diet high in sugar and processed carbohydrates
- Surgery and other invasive procedures
- Hormonal imbalance
- Thinning of the skin's lipid layer due to normal aging
- Ongoing use of aggressive skin care products
While some of the above triggers such as normal aging and the natural thinning of the skin are unavoidable, the problem should not be compounded by stressing the skin further through the use of harsh topical products. These would include:
- Cleansers with synthetic detergents such as sulfates and lauric acid.
- Products containing perfume, alcohol, dyes, coloring, and certain anti microbial ingredients such as phenoxyethanol
- Improper application of treatment products with a high concentration of retinoids, Hydroquinone and alpha hydroxy acids
Another important culprit is over exfoliation. While appropriate exfoliation every 4 to 5 weeks is a recommended practice because it rids the skin of accumulated dead cells and encourages cell turn over and regeneration, a critical mistake that many people make is over exfoliation. Excessive exfoliation will weaken the skin's barrier and cause an imbalance in its PH level creating fertile ground for skin inflammation and subsequent aging of the skin.
The first step for treating sensitized skin is to notice that you are experiencing it. Clear warning signs will typically be tightness, dryness, redness and possibly swelling of the skin. If you have any of these symptoms, you should of course avoid all the sensitizing triggers mentioned before, but the next action to take is to use the right products:
- Use a gentle cleanser free from alcohol and synthetic detergents. A good example would be Susanne Kaufmann's Cleansing Gel or Cleansing Milk.
- Boost the skin's moisture level by applying products containing high concentration of plant based hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate, but free from synthetic preservatives. A good example is Susanne Kaufmann highly concentrated plant based Hyaluron Serum.
- Reduce the risk of potential skin inflammation by treating the skin with products loaded with anti inflammatory and pro collagen ingredients. This will help rebuild the skin's internal structure and restore its outer barrier back to health. A good example would be Susanne Kaufmann Nutrient Concentrate Skin Smoothing formulated with an herbal blend of vitamins and anti-oxidants to restore the skin to a healthy glow while being free from sensitizing ingredients such as synthetic alcohols, perfume, parabens and phenoxyethanol.
The final step in addressing sensitized skin is to use a soothing moisturizer that will protect the skin's outer layer and assist in repairing existing damage. A good example is the Susanne Kaufmann Line T designed specifically to address the fragility of sensitive skin.
SkinBiologique is dedicated to provide its client base with effective yet gentle products that address several skin aging conditions but particularly excel in preventing and/or restoring the skin's condition in the following two areas: dehydration and inflammation, both of which are common manifestation of sensitized skin.