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Is your Skin Sensitive?Discover Why and How to treat this affliction.The term sensitive skin typically means that the skin has the tendency to become irritated, red, swollen and/or itchy as a result of either an environmental condition or use of a certain product or products. The term is also used to describe changes to a person's skin in response to allergic reactions. Why can skin be sensitive? A negative reaction to a certain product or possibly some combination of products is the most common reason that the skin may become sensitive. During your daily skin care routime, many number of products may be used e.g soaps, cleansers, toners, moisturisers, serums, blemish reducers, blemish concealers, foundation, blush, facial masks, – the list is endless! These products are more than likely made by numerous different manufacturers as well. While your intentions and goals are to do the best for you skin, some cannot tolerate such an assault. Causes of sensitive skin Attempting to pinpoint the actual cause of sensitive skin is not always as simple as discontinuing use of a certain product. Because of the nature of sensitive skin, the amount of time it can take before the signs of sensitivity are visible may be anywhere from a few hours to several days. And the sensitivity may not even be caused by a product that you have used. Exposure to the uv rays of the sun can create skin problems, as can the use of extremely hot water. Other factors such as the laundry detergent, fabric softeners, shampoo, perfume, hair spray, and even the household cleaning products you use could be the culprit. Another well known fact is that certain foods and even some plants can cause symptoms of an allergic reaction as well.
How to treat sensitive skin It is important to recognise the underlying cause of the problem before an effective treatment for the sensitive skin can be found. In some cases it may be necessary to seek the advice of a dermatologist as you may unfortunately have a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis or rosacea. Begin by reading labels on your product - the fewer ingredients, the better. It is advised to avoid products containing alcohol, fragrances, botanicals, antibacterial, ethanol and propylene glycol. Use a sample to spot test new facial products before applying to entire face. If time permits, apply a few dabs behind the ears for a few days, and if no reaction appears, apply beside the eyes for another few days. If all goes well, full facial coverage will more than likely be safe. Using natural fabrics for pillowcases and washcloths such as 100% cotton or silk instead of synthetic materials is the best option. Check your 'cotton' balls, too. You may find that even though they look like cotton, they really may be polyester. Just as important as the outside, is the inside. Ensure that you eat a balanced diet to ensure skin gets the nutrients it needs to remain healthy. If necessary, have an atomiser on hand and squirt to keep skin moist and always apply sun protection if outside. Clean your skin gently, avoiding harsh products like scrubbing mitts, excessively hot water and abrasive exfoliating products.
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Obviously healthy skin is less sensitive because of it's ability to act as an effective barrier, whereas sunburned skin, skin that's excessively dry and skin that is otherwise damaged tends to be more sensitive. It is for this reason that some people who don't normally have sensitive skin develop skin sensitivity during winter months when dry, cold air attacks the skin and erodes away its protective moisture. 
