But perhaps no one is more familiar with the phrase than dermatologists.
But what exactly does it mean to have sensitive skin from a dermatologists point of view?
Is it an actual diagnosis?
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Is it something youre born with?
How do you know if you have it?
And how should you be taking care of it?
Heres what they want you to know.
Sensitive skin isnt really a clinical term.
Its more of an expression for skin thats easy to irritate.
[Sensitive skin] means different things to different people, Dr. Nagler says.
Its something someone presents with, and then its a dermatologists job to figure out what that means.
Skin sensitivity actually has to do with the fatty outer layer of your skin.
We all have aprotective fatty outer layer on our skin.
That intracellular lipid mortar is partly composed ofa form of lipids called ceramides.
On the flip side, having a thin lipid barrier means its also easier for moisture to escape.
This is whydrynessand sensitivity often go hand-in-hand.
But your immune system can also sometimes play a role in skin sensitivity.
This essentially happens when your immune system goes into overdrive as a result of a perceived threat.
Redness, pain, scaling, itching, and other similar symptoms are signs this reaction is taking place.
This is the case with conditions likeeczema,psoriasis, and rosacea, as well as generally sensitive skin.
Its pretty common for your skin to become more sensitive as you age.
The natural construction of your lipid barrier is partly up to luck.
Thats why products you used to use with no problem can suddenly mess with your skin as you age.
One of the worst things you might do for sensitive skin is wash it more frequently.
For most of us, the biggest enemy when it comes to keeping that outer barrier intact isnt time.
Soap and hot water can diminish your lipid barrier, Dr. Piliang explains.
Think about it like butter on a knife.
If you put it under cold water, that fat on the knife doesnt go anywhere.
But if you put it under warm water, those lipids will melt away.
She continues, Its the same kind of issue with the lipid layer in our skin.
Instead, use cool or lukewarm water on your face, and dont wash more than once a day.
Glad you asked…
8.
Stick with products that are gentle, fragrance-free, and have a fairly simple ingredient list.
Its about trapping water and creating a protective layer, says Dr. Nagler.
Most of the derms we spoke to actually singled out fragrances as the biggest sensitive-skin offender.
You do have to read the list carefully, she says.
(The Contact Dermatitis Institute has a list of fragrance agents to avoid if youre sensitivehere.)
And always look for labels that say fragrance-free, not simply unscented.
People with sensitive skin need to be careful and patient with products that contain strong active ingredients.
Apply a very simple, very gentle moisturizer underneath (or mix it in) to create a buffer.
This will reduce the irritating effects of strong active ingredients.
Your neck is also an option if youre not ready to move to your face.
If a product does cause irritation, dont panic.
Your skinand walletmay thank you.
