If you have hypersensitive skin, it can sometimes be challenging to deal with it.
Plus, it can be confusing to know what to do and what not to do to keep your skin healthy and smooth.
In this post we discuss this challenging skin condition.
Q1. What is hypersensitive skin?
A1. Hypersensitive skin is the most sensitive skin type. It has affected skin bcarrier, meaning it loses moisture easily and is vulnerable to irritants. Hypersensitive skin, often called ‘overreactive’, overreacts to factors that are easily tolerated by normal skin.
People with eczema, rosacea, psoriasis and other skin conditions often consider their skin to be hypersensitive.
Question 2. What are the symptoms of hypersensitive skin?
Hypersensitive skin reacts to various triggers with symptoms such as the following:
- Redness
- Irritation
- Stinging and burning
- Itch
- Dryness and flaking
- Acne
- Hyperpigmentation
- Inflammation
- Skin rash and hives
Triggers for these unpleasant symptoms can include:
- Certain skin care products such as cleansers and creams
- Some makeup products
- Fragrances
- Excessive exfoliation
- Environmental pollution
- Severe weather including wind and sun
- Sharp temperature fluctuations
- Fabrics and dyes
- Detergents
- Tension
- Spicy food and/or alcohol
- Allergens such as pollen, animal dander, mold and dust
Q3. What causes hypersensitive skin?
A3. It’s not always easy to pinpoint what could be causing hypersensitive skin, but one thing is constant: there is always a compromised outer barrier.
Healthy skin has an outer barrier that protects it. This barrier keeps the bad stuff out and the good stuff (like moisture and antioxidants) in. When this barrier is compromised, it is as if a wall becomes a net.
Suddenly there are cracks and fissures that allow irritants to enter the skin. When they do, the overstimulated sensory fibers in the outer layer respond faster and more strongly than those in normal skin. They cause unpleasant symptoms such as stinging, burning, tightness and the rest.
Scientists also believe that hypersensitive skin involves a reactive immune system. Just as the immune system overreacts in people with psoriasis, it can also overreact in people with hypersensitive skin. This causes the skin to react more strongly to triggers than it otherwise would, because the immune system sees these as ‘threats’ that it must neutralize, and reacts with inflammation, redness, hives, itching and other allergenic symptoms.
Q4. Did I cause my hypersensitive skin?
A4. Hypersensitive skin is often hereditary, just like other skin conditions. Maybe you were born with a reactive immune system, or you have eczema or psoriasis, which makes your skin hypersensitive.
However, sometimes overusing certain skin care products can cause sensitivity.
For example, over-exfoliating skin can lead to hypersensitive skin over time. Exfoliating is important to remove dead skin cells and allow younger skin cells to emerge. But if you exfoliate too often, you can damage the outer layer, creating skin that is more reactive to skin care products and other factors.
Question 5. What is the difference between sensitive and hypersensitive skin?
A5. How do you know if you have sensitive skin, or if your skin may be hypersensitive?
It’s a matter of degree. For example, if you have sensitive skin, you may have difficulty using retinol products without breaking out. Or maybe you need to be careful about what cleansers you use. But as long as you take good care of your skin, it will look healthy and feel comfortable.
If you have hypersensitive skin, this is a constant problem in your life. It may seem like every little thing causes your skin to react. You have a sudden cold day and boom, you have redness. Try a new blush and here comes the acne. You become stressed at work and develop inflammation and hives.
Question 6. Is there a cure for hypersensitive skin?
A6. If your hypersensitive skin is hereditary, you cannot completely cure it. You can learn to deal with it so that it doesn’t become an ongoing problem.
If your skin is hypersensitive due to allergens or overuse of harsh products, you may be able to “cure” it by avoiding those allergens and harsh products.
The key is to follow a preventive program for optimal skin health. This program should include avoiding your triggers and adopting a targeted routine to promote skin repair.
Question 7. How do I deal with my hypersensitive skin?
We recommend the following steps to help manage and care for your hypersensitive skin.
A. Identify your triggers
Keep a diary for two weeks. In that diary, write down everything you do and what your skin is exposed to, and then how your skin reacts.
Things to include:
- What you eat
- What skin care products you use
- What makeup products you use
- What hair care products you use (in case some of them end up on your face)
- Which substances touch your skin
- Which washing products you use
- What food you eat
- What weather you are exposed to
- Any medications you take (including supplements)
- Any hormonal changes (your menstruation or menopausal symptoms)
- Any stress you experience that triggers strong emotions
- Any air freshener products you may be exposed to
After two weeks, look at your diary and see if you can identify your triggers. Choose those things that you think are bothering your skin and remove them from your daily routine. Then continue your journal for another two weeks. Continue this process until you think you’ve found most of your triggers and your skin reacts less often.
B. Simplify your skin care routine
Then go back to the basics of your skin care routine. For two weeks you reduce your routine. Cleanse, tone and moisturize your skin only with gentle products.
- Cleaner: Choose something with a cream or gel consistency. Avoid foaming cleansers, as they can worsen inflammation.
- Toner: Avoid products with alcohol and opt for gentle, moisturizing toners. We recommend our Rescue + Relief Spray as it immediately helps tame inflammation and prepares the skin for moisturizer. It not only hydrates, but treats and balances the skin.
- Moisturizer: Look for a product with soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients. We recommend our Calming Moisture as it contains aloe, beta-glucan (from oat kernels) and oat extract (gluten-free) to reduce redness and itching and soothe the skin. It is rich in antioxidants, ceramides and healing ingredients to dramatically improve the skin.
Note: All CV Skinlabs products are clinically proven to help soothe, restore and transform sensitive skin into healthier skin.
Once your skin has calmed down, gradually add one product at a time to see how your skin responds. (If your skin doesn’t calm down using just the three basic products, consider that your cleanser, toner, or moisturizer may be too harsh and find something else.)
C. Avoid activating ingredients in your products
As you get back to basics, take a look at your skincare products. Turn them over and read the ingredients list. In general, you want to avoid the products with the following ingredients and look for products that are clean and simple.
- Synthetic fragrances
- Alcohols
- Sulfates
- Parabens
- Chemical sunscreens
- Hard exfoliants
- Preservatives such as DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, butylated hydroxyanisole
By the way, all our CV Skinlabs products have been developed for the special needs of hypersensitive skin. They are 100 percent free of allergenic or aggressive ingredients, and also promote the recovery of the outer barrier. If you use them regularly, you will notice that your skin becomes less reactive and more radiant!
D. Reduce your daily stress
If stress and strong emotions trigger your hypersensitive skin, try incorporating more stress-relieving activities into your daily life. Good options include daily exercise, meditation, warm baths, deep breathing, walking in nature, spending time with positive people, listening to uplifting music, yoga, art therapy, crafts, and spending time with pets.
E. Stay hydrated
In addition to regularly hydrating your skin with a high-quality moisturizer (we recommend our Calming Moisture), drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Staying hydrated from within will also keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
F. Use proper face masks
Avoid peel-off or exfoliating masks as these can further irritate your skin. Instead, choose a soothing, nutrient-rich clay mask once or twice a week. It does not strip the skin of its protective layer, but soothes damaged skin and promotes recovery. A moisturizing mask with aloe vera and other gentle ingredients can also be a good idea.
How do you deal with hypersensitive skin?
Featured image courtesy of Anna Shvets of Pexels.
