Top Five Common Triggers for Sensitive Skin to Help you Avoid Unnecessary Aging
Having sensitive skin, which has a tendency to become irritated, often comes with symptoms of redness, stinging, burning, itchiness and general discomfort.
There are several triggers that can set off this aging process for our skin
Anything from your age to your skincare routine could increase your chances of an itchy reaction. There is usually a reason why your skin suddenly appears to be more sensitive - and a trigger is often behind the process.
It could well be one of these...
- One such trigger is your family tree, namely being born with a genetic predisposition to eczema, dryness, redness, itchiness and allergies. Sensitive skin is a tell tale sign of these conditions. Those with sensitive skin could have inherited a compromised skin barrier, meaning your skin is more vulnerable to losing moisture while allowing irritants in. In addition, as we age, our skin loses valuable oils meaning our cells can no longer hold as much water. At the same time, our skin also becomes thinner, increasing sensitivity over time.
- Another trigger is the actual skincare ingredients you use. Those with sensitive skin are generally more reactive to soap, detergents, alcohols and fragrances in products - and using the wrong ones can result in a change of skin pH. Going back to basics, by limiting the number of products you use and the ingredients they contain or watching out for alcohols, acids, fragrance, soap and foaming agents (such as sodium lauryl sulphate), can all be helpful.
- Do you suffer from allergic skin reactions? These are common and can happen to anyone – not just those with sensitive skin. Contact eczema (a type of skin inflammation) has two types. One is irritant contact dermatitis usually as a result of prolonged exposure to an irritating substance such as a detergent or a solvent. The other is allergic contact dermatitis, namely a true allergic reaction to a substance - an example is poison ivy. These common triggers include nickel, chemicals in hair dye and fragrances as well as preservatives used in skin products and cosmetics. Such triggers can lead to itching, soreness, redness and even small blisters and cracks.
- Even environmental factors can affect our skin. It can be the UV rays from the sun, hot and/or cold weather, various pollutants and even how hard your water supply is. Any of these triggers can disrupt your skin's barrier and cause irritation.
- Even when you change to natural products such as our own Simply Beauty Range, there can be irritants. This is because natural essential oils are derived from plants and therefore in a few cases can be the cause of irritation. When starting to use a new product, even one as generally safe and gentle as ours, it is wise to test a small amount on a sensitive and reactive area (for example on the neck or under the arm) to see if it triggers a reaction.
How to avoid any triggers
Stick to just a few products. We suggest these four products as a good starting point:
Simply Hand Oil which is a luxurious treatment that instantly improves the skin's natural moisture cushion while restoring comfort and glow to one of the body's most exposed areas.
Simply Neck Firming Oil with simple, natural ingredients to lift, tone and tighten the skin while moisturizing and rejuvenating.
Simply Vitamin Skin Oil without any additives but just pure oils to nourish.
and
Simply Eye Serum with its own pure oils to moisturize and rejuvenate dark circles as well as unwanted bags under the eyes.
Sources
Dry skin. (n.d.).
aad.org/public/diseases/dry-sweaty-skin/dry-skin. (Accessed August 5, 2021)
Dry skin: Self-care. (2017).
medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000751.htm (Accessed August 5, 2021)
Exercise-induced urticaria. (2014).
familydoctor.org/condition/exercise-induced-urticaria/?adfree=tru. (Accessed August 5, 2021)
Hives (urticarial). (2015).
aafa.org/page/hives.aspx. (Accessed August 5, 2021)
Lev-Tov H, et al. (2012). The Sensitive Skin Syndrome. DOI:
10.4103/0019-5154.103059
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.