If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from sensitive skin, you know how much of a challenge it can be to find products that work for you.
Did you know sensitive skin is not a skin type?
Sensitive skin is actually a skin condition that many of us suffer. In fact up to 60-70% of women and 50-69% of men suffer from a sensitive skin condition or some degree.
Here are five surprising facts about sensitive skin that will help you find what you need to keep your skin in good shape:
1) Sensitive skin gets worse with age
As your body ages, it produces less collagen and elastin in the connective tissues underneath your skin, which results in thinner, more fragile epidermis that reacts more severely to toxins and environmental factors such as harsh weather conditions or excessive air pollution.
2) Some chemicals can cause reactions
Some chemicals can cause reactions, like sodium lauryl sulfate, which is found in many shampoos. There are also toxins that come from the environment, like mould or heavy metals. Sometimes sensitive skin conditions have a root cause and a doctor may be able to help identify what it is. But it's often not easy to find out why some people experience inflammation or irritation when exposed to common triggers and others don't.
3) The sunscreen can be harsh on your skin
Sensitive skin is a difficult skin type to take care of, since it often reacts to substances that are normally not an issue for other skin types. However, there are a few things you can do to keep your sensitive skin from getting too irritated. For starters, avoid chemical sunscreens and try zinc instead - zinc is much gentler on the skin and doesn't leave behind any harmful residue that can trigger acne or breakouts.
4) Diet may impact your sensitive skin
Stress, alcohol, caffeine, the cold and wind are all triggers that may flair up rosacea and other inflammatory skin conditions . One of the first things to try is cutting out those triggers from your diet and drinking plenty of water to hydrate your skin. Rosacea sufferers often have sensitive skin which can be caused by sun damage, a family history of skin conditions or topical treatments containing harsh chemicals. In fact, redness and irritation caused by these topical treatments can sometimes trigger a rosacea flare-up in patients who were previously clear! If you do decide to use any products on your face it's important to make sure they're fragrance free and hypoallergenic as well as gentle enough for sensitive skin.
5) People with sensitive skin should avoid these ingredients
1. Avoid artificial fragrances or perfumes - things like benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C, retinol, alcohol, and fragrance can trigger a reaction in people with sensitive skin. 2. Sensitive skin can be even more reactive to harsh chemicals found in laundry detergents, fabric softeners, bleaches and chlorine pools which break down the top layer of skin (oh joy!) .
All of our products at Hemp Skin Australia have been tested on the most sensitive skin types, using only gentle ingredients to get you back to happy health skin.