Sensitive & Sensitized Skin

Sensitive skin: usually has genetic origins and is redness-prone with red flushes. For sensitive skin, the slightest irritation or provocation can cause a flare up at any time. A reaction may be caused by allergies, pollution, chemical irritants, illness, extreme temperatures, and other unsuitable environmental conditions. The higher histamine levels in the body can make sensitive skin more susceptible to inflammatory conditions like psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema. The visible signs of sensitive skin include chronic redness, dermatitis, chafing, broken veins and fine broken capillaries.

Sensitized skin: also known as ‘reactive skin’, is usually self-induced. Sensitized skin can also occur from pre-existing conditions, which can be undiagnosed or untreated, such as acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis and allergies to foods such as gluten and dairy.  The use of harsh chemical cosmetics, make-up, too many harsh professional skin treatments which strip the natural hydrolipid barrier, medicine, diet and hormones, are all major contributing factors. When allergens come into contact with intolerant skin, the body issues a full-blown immune response, releasing antibodies to attack the offending substance which results in visible reddening and inflammation of the skin.