How do I know if my skin is sensitive?

60% of women and 40% of men think they have sensitive skin. This dermatological problem can concern all skin types, appear at all ages and can occur on a long-term or occasional basis. However, it remains difficult to diagnose, so what is sensitive skin? How do you know if you are concerned? We explain everything in this special guide for sensitive skin.

What is sensitive skin?

If you're wondering what sensitive skin is, it's not a skin type, but rather a skin condition. All skin types can be affected by this sensitivity, whether oily or dry. However, it seems that women are more affected than men, especially those with fair and thin skin.

Sensitive skin is often hyper-reactive skin, which over-reacts to external stimuli. This leads to itching, burning, tingling, tightness or redness.

It is therefore intolerant and overreacts to elements that normally have no particular effect on normal skin. Hyper-reactive skin has a very low tolerance threshold, and the lower it decreases, the more quickly and intensely it reacts to aggressions. In the most extreme cases, the skin's reactivity is constant, with a tolerance threshold close to zero in the face of all the elements (rubbing, care, tobacco, hormones, etc.).

What causes hyper-reactive skin?

If you have sensitive skin, it's because its defense system is not working properly. The hydrolipidic film must act as a protective barrier that prevents irritants and bacteria from reaching the deep layers of the epidermis. It also has the function of retaining water, in order to preserve good hydration of the skin, which is essential for its firmness, elasticity and comfort.

In the case of sensitive skin, this barrier is weakened and therefore cannot provide good protection against certain factors such as humidity, wind, heating, air-conditioning, polluting agents... The epidermis then feels attacked and sends alarm signals that result in redness, tingling or burning sensations. It is more afraid of changes in the environment and external factors, such as temperature variations, pollution, sun rays or a bad beauty routine. Factors can also be internal, such as stress, smoking, overly spicy food and alcohol, which can cause discomfort.

With hyper-reactive skin, the nerve endings of the skin are hypersensitive, so they send more intense signals to the brain than normal skin. For sensitive skin, factors that are normally not very aggressive are therefore interpreted as dangers, resulting in this characteristic feeling of discomfort.

How to take care of sensitive skin?

Now that you know what sensitive skin is, it's important to learn how to care for it. This includes the use of skin care products adapted to the characteristics of hyper-reactive skin.

Thus, for cleaning and make-up removal, it is recommended to abandon micellar water that is too aggressive, does not clean deep enough and whose surfactants alter the hydrolipidic film.

We advise you to proceed to a triple make-up removal for a real skin cleansing. This consists of three steps:

- Make-up removal with our make-up remover oil which allows you to remove make-up even if it is waterproof.

- Cleansing the skin with fresh jelly. It removes all impurities for a perfect result. Moreover, it is enriched with pure organic aloe vera juice which has the effect of soothing hyper-reactive skin.

- The flower and fruit water that reveals the radiance of your skin. It contains organic rose floral water that removes lime residues, refreshes and soothes sensitive skin.

Perfectly clean, your epidermis is ready to receive the care you are going to give it, and to take full advantage of the benefits of each product. Sensitive skin cream is essential after make-up removal and cleansing.

A cream for sensitive skin should be rich in vegetable oils, such as pumpkin seed oil, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties that are interesting for hyper-reactive skin. It will thus reduce redness and irritation. In the same way, cocoa butter and shea butter are perfectly suited to sensitive skin, to nourish and protect it, especially in the driest areas. Cream for sensitive skin can also contain repairing active ingredients, such as macadamia oil or avocado vegetable oil, which are rich in essential fatty acids. They participate in the synthesis of collagen, are regenerating and protect sensitive skin from aggression.

In addition to the cream for sensitive skin, when showering it is also important to use a soap for sensitive skin. You can then opt for a dermatological bar, an oily soap or a cold saponified soap for sensitive skin. The latter offers all the benefits of vegetable oils and vegetable butters that provide delicate cleansing for your sensitive skin. Thus, it includes only natural ingredients that are not harmful to the skin, unlike those of industrial origin. At Akane, this is why we develop 100% natural cosmetic products for sensitive skin and all other skin types.

Finally, as far as make-up is concerned, test mineral powders that are perfectly adapted and have the advantage of being able to camouflage redness without obstructing it. They provide good protection against external aggressions. Foundation, mascara and blush should be monitored to see how your skin reacts to them. Examine the compositions in order to favour more natural products, preferably organic.

What are the right gestures to reduce the reactivity of your skin?

A soap for sensitive skin as well as a cream for sensitive skin are the basic care to reduce the reactivity of your epidermis. However, you should also adopt new habits to avoid causing your sensitive skin to react. It will be less stressed and therefore less a source of discomfort.

It is recommended that you do not expose yourself to situations that encourage the appearance of redness, itching and tightness. Avoid polluted areas as much as possible and protect yourself from extreme weather conditions. Sun protection is essential, even more so for sensitive and reactive skin since UV rays increase the risk of redness and weakening of the vessels.

Similarly, a change can be made to your diet. Your sensitive skin needs foods rich in omega 3 and omega 6. They have anti-inflammatory properties but also help to fluidify the tissues, soften the skin, block the effects of sun exposure... They help your skin to stay healthy by strengthening it, so that it is protected against all aggressions. And, a good hydration of the epidermis starts by hydrating itself in a general way. Water, but also infusions beneficial to the skin are therefore welcome.

You now know more about the specifics of sensitive skin, and how you can help it with the right care. Pampered skin will be less uncomfortable, both with a sensitive skin cream, and with a set of healthy, natural habits to maintain over the long term.

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