DECare for sensitive skin and what people with sensitive skin can do
Many describe their skin as sensitive, but often don’t even know what exactly lies behind it. It is clear that sensitive skin needs attention and is demanding. It often rebels, reddens, feels tight, or itches. So, what does it look like: the right care for sensitive skin and what can people with sensitive skin do?
What exactly lies behind sensitive and delicate skin
Sensitive and delicate skin is one of six skin types. The natural skin barrier, which normally protects us from the penetration of bacteria and the evaporation of moisture, is disturbed by various factors. Sensitive skin usually reacts more quickly to stimuli or even to minor stimuli. The causes for this have not yet been clearly identified. However, various external influences such as weather, stress, unsuitable care products, or an allergy to an ingredient, combined with a disturbed skin barrier, are sometimes listed as causes. But sometimes no cause can be found, and the symptoms can be diverse. Dry and flaky skin, feelings of tightness, redness, or itching are some of the possible consequences. In highly sensitive skin, the nerve endings under the skin react even faster than normal, requiring particular caution. This also applies to the skin under the arms, as this is considered a particularly sensitive area of skin.
Particularly affected skin – the armpit skin
Sweat and armpit hair, or rather the removal of armpit hair, can be quite challenging for the thin and sensitive skin under the armpits. Daily shaving, especially dry shaving, and the deodorant used often lead to irritated skin or even razor burn. When clothing (synthetic fibers), various fragrances or ingredients in care products, and sweat are added, the vicious circle is complete, and skin irritations or itching can occur. Minor skin damage from shaving can also be a cause of bacterial infection. Bacteria can overcome the natural skin barrier and penetrate the skin. The following five tips show what helps best.
Tips for caring for sensitive skin
- Do not additionally burden the skin and therefore use skin care free of fragrances, preservatives, colorants, aggressive surfactants, and other skin-irritating ingredients. According to manufacturers, this includes products labeled with “sensitive” indications. However, even here, a little caution and a critical look at the (questionable) ingredients in the INCI list are advisable. Because regardless of the product’s name, the composition of the care product should be the decisive selection criterion.
- Provide the skin with sufficient moisture daily. This applies to both internal and external supply, and includes, as is generally known, drinking 1-2 liters daily and using skin care with moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or aloe vera.
- Strengthen the skin barrier, and there are some very simple steps that can be easily integrated into your care routine. For example, using a cleanser with natural and mild surfactants and lipid-replenishing products. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution; instead, it is necessary to individually assess what exactly sensitive skin tolerates well and what helps it.
- Soothe the skin and avoid everything that irritates sensitive skin. This is not always easy, as many things are unavoidable, such as frequent hand washing or wearing face masks due to the current pandemic. But at least everything that additionally irritates should be reduced as much as possible. This includes negative external influences such as strongly abrasive peels or peeling gloves, water that is too hot for cleansing, aggressive cleaning agents, or certain foods.
- Keep a skin diary and, above all, record all medications and care products used. Ideally, details on diet, activities including stress levels, and the manifestations of skin problems should also be noted. Often, important influencing factors on sensitive skin can be identified and reduced after just a few weeks.
Corona-related skin sensitivities
Frequent hand washing and sanitizing is the exact opposite of “sensitive” care. But in some situations, it is almost unavoidable and crucial for hygiene and for freeing oneself from germs and bacteria. However, in addition to unhealthy germs, healthy germs, which are essential for the natural skin barrier, are also eliminated. If sensitive skin, allergies, or other skin problems were present before, these measures can therefore become problematic. Because, according to experts, abstaining from hand washing or disinfection is not an option, it is important to choose the right products here.
Image source: Cesra Arzneimittel
