Red, Itchy or Painful Skin - Sensitive or Sensitised?

We’ve all heard of sensitive skin and what comes to mind is always that look of red and either painful or itchy skin. However, there is also sensitised skin. If you’ve haven’t heard, the symptoms are the same but how it happens is different.

So, you ask, “How do I determine if I have sensitive or sensitised skin?”

Many people think that they have sensitive skin and that they report to a skin specialist or dermatologists when seeking treatment. However, after consultation, it comes to a conclusion that patients or customers don’t actually have any sensitive skin at all. Most people diagnose their skin this way for fear of the unknown and also determining how they want doctors to treat them rather than treating them for what issue they actually have.

After checking, professionals often come to a conclusion that customer’s skin is actually sensitised rather than sensitive.

Sensitive Skin

Long story, short: Sensitive skin is hereditary.

Those that have sensitive skin are often those who suffer from non-related skin triggers such as allergies, asthma, rashes, eczema, rosacea, and other forms of dermatitis. People with sensitive skin tend to have a thinner epidermis and less pigment in their skin which leads to lesser protective barrier of the skin.

Fortunately, although sensitive skin is something that can’t be fixed, it can be helped. Not ideal to sensitised skin, people with sensitive skin can be good candidates for chemical peels as they have come a long way. Two ideal peels would include lactic and mandelic acids, both of which are alpha hydroxyl acids that create much lesser to no irritation.

Sensitised Skin

Meanwhile, a sensitised skin is caused by either an internal or external factor stemmed from habits and the environment. These factors cause the skin’s barrier to be weakened over time; some over months, if not years. Some of the factors that contribute to sensitised skin are overuse of chemical and manual exfoliants, changes in medication, poor diet, inadequate water intake, weather conditions, use of improper topical products, overexposure to the sun, and poor elimination of toxins from the body.

This type of skin will cause one to look dull, dry, blotchy, irritated, and sometimes from either an overproduction of oil or the opposite, lack of oil. Therefore, it is important to identify which factor is contributing towards sensitive skin.

Similarities & Treatments

Though both are similar in symptoms, good news for those who suffer from either of these conditions is that both are treatable. The best way to know if one has sensitised or sensitive skin is to ask many questions – be it skin care professional to patient or vice versa.

Sticking to gentle, hydrating products and sun care are important to keep both skin conditions at bay. What needs to be done is to keep it simple (products and skin regimen) and go back to basics.

Also, green tea is recommended for its calming benefits. What’s important is to reduce the use of manual and chemical exfoliants in order for the skin to have a break with the reason being that the skin is being stripped away of its natural benefits and not getting anything in return.

Another tip to reduce skin sensitivity is to increase water intake. This helps with cell health from within. In addition to this, washing one’s face with cold water is best since it is one of the triggers.

Investing in a good moisturiser is also good to help with both types of skin. It helps to strengthen epidermal health. To add to it, it is good to load up on sun protection. Since both kinds are affected (whether stressor or trigger) by environment – one of them being the sun, sunscreen is important to keep it toned down.

The Takeaway 

Whether it is sensitive or sensitised skin, it would be best to be determined with a qualified skin care professional and treatment at the spa is equally as important as a home regimen that includes antioxidants and sun screen.

*Beaubelle Swiss Calm is a range that depicts its name. A range of four products, Swiss Calm helps both sensitive and sensitised skin by strengthening skin barrier and moisturising, soothing, & calming them with the help of Propanediol, Quillaja Saponaria Bark (Soapbark Tree) extract, Sorbitol, and apricot kernel & Meadowfoam seed oil.

For more information and to try Swiss Calm, click here.