Itchy, tight, flaky or simply reddened areas of skin – we are talking about sensitive skin and it needs special care. The question arises, at what point can the skin actually be classified as sensitive? It is not uncommon for the skin to react with redness or flaking after prolonged exposure to the sun, and sunburn should be differentiated from dry or sensitive skin. However, if stress, synthetic fragrances or overly spicy food cause such reactions, the skin should be treated gently.
Less is more
Nowadays, the range of skin care and cosmetics on offer is very extensive, there are always free samples to test and advertising all too often suggests that you need the advertised products. The result is often over-care of the skin, also known as “stewardess disease” or perioral dermatitis. This is caused by excessive use of skin care products or make-up. It is characterized by nodules or pustules, which are harmless but burn or itch, very unpleasant for those affected, and are accompanied by reddening of the skin. In principle, a combination of psychological and environmental factors, genetic predisposition and the skin microbiome are always held responsible for skin diseases of this kind. Countless microorganisms are known to colonize our skin, including bacteria, mites and yeasts. They form the skin’s protective layer to protect it from external, non-positive influences. If this balance is disturbed, e.g. by cosmetics, harmful bacteria or germs can penetrate the skin. (For more information see: https://www.ocean-pharma.de/experten-tipps/keime-koennen-durchaus-positiv-sein-hier-verraten-wir-warum/)
Tips for sensitive skin
It is therefore crucial to restore the natural protective barrier and allow the skin to regenerate. This means recognizing the problem directly and eliminating the causes. An expert should therefore always be consulted in order to define the right treatment. This is because it can often be confused with rosacea, neurodermatitis or acne. Many experts advise against short-term suppression or postponement of symptoms with creams containing cortisone. Instead, less is more, so keep your skincare routine to a minimum and avoid products with perfume, synthetic oils, mineral oils, preservatives, silicones or colorants. It is also important to use the right care products with soothing ingredients such as panthenol, aloe vera or witch hazel. Sensitive skin is often also dry skin, in which case care should be taken to minimize stress on the skin, i.e. to use a facial cleanser with a pH value similar to that of the skin and to use moisturizing ingredients such as jojoba oil, coconut oil or shea butter. However, oily skin can also be affected, in which case it is important to create a sufficient supply of moisture but keep the oily content to a minimum.
Dermatologist Professor Dr. Kristian Reich from Berlin recommends: “An extract obtained from a microalgae with amazing antibacterial inhibitory effects and cell regenerative properties.”
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