Family Encyclopedia >> Beauty & Style

O help, my skin is sensitive #1

Does it show right away when you have sensitive skin? Nay. So-called sensitive skin is not as easy to assess as it seems, because except when the epidermis reddens, sensitivity is not visible to the naked eye (well, well…). It is above all a story of sensations:tingling, heating and tightness. This is how it differs from allergic skin, which cries out its intolerance loud and clear, especially by peeling (nice, isn't it?). What is it due to? First to the environment:cold, heat, wind, sudden change in temperature, smoky atmosphere, pollution, sun, air conditioning, heating attack the skin. Then, to the application of unsuitable cosmetics. Stress is also a contributing factor, even if we do not yet know precisely how it intervenes (if we say sensitive skin, it is not by chance…). Finally, there may be a hormonal cause:between the ages of 20 and 45, women are much more exposed than after menopause (sensitivity =characteristic of young skin). Are dry skin more sensitive? All this is not a story of skin type and oily or normal skin is no less reactive than dry skin. But there are several periods in the life of the skin, and the "reactive" state may only be temporary. Leave for good or… come back (yes). Second good news, we can easily find comfort. All you have to do is get your skin back on its feet by changing your treatment protocol.

Clean with (not cow's) milk

Simplify the cleaning phase. Sensitive skin does not like running water. Often too calcareous, it dries out the epidermis and pulls on sight in the already weakened hydrolipidic film. Besides, you can feel it:once clean, the skin feels tight.

• Dermatological advice:the ideal is to use micellar water or a cleansing milk combined with a spray of calming and soothing mineral water. Do not let the droplets air dry, dab them with a cotton ball or tissue paper. Do you prefer lotion? No worries, if you choose one duly stamped "sensitive skin". If you want to remove your makeup with plenty of water, it is possible by choosing a specific gentle cleansing gel. Follow with mineral water mist or "sensitive skin" lotion. Treat your eyes with as much tenderness because the eyelids are a sensitive area par excellence. To get rid of all traces of make-up, dip a cotton ball in the make-up remover solution then place it on the eye. Wait for the lotion to "soak" the lashes so that mascara, in particular, can be easily removed. Make gentle movements in the direction of the eyelashes. Important:Do not rub, either body or face. Any strong mechanical action is prohibited (on the contrary, caresses are strongly recommended).

2- Hydrate more with a "less" cream (of preservatives, perfume...)

The best trick to calm sensitive and reactive skin is to moisturize it. The goal ? Create a protection, to make the stratum corneum less permeable and give it back the means to retain water. Thus, the more we improve its quality, the more we increase its tolerance threshold and the better it is able to defend itself against external aggressions. However, it should not be moisturized with any cream. Special "sensitive skin" formulations play the game of less (rather than more):less fragrance, if at all, fewer preservatives and fewer actives whose mode of action would be likely to be irritating, especially those that initiate an exfoliation of the skin (fruit acids, for example).

• Dermatology advice:keep it as simple as possible. Avoid combining a serum + a treatment. Oily, dry or normal, determine your skin type before choosing the right cream. Hydration does not solve everything:it must be associated with nourishing active ingredients on dry epidermis and others, regulating sebum secretions, for combination to oily skin. Those who blush for a yes or a no will prefer specific anti-redness treatments that contain ingredients with decongestant properties Also choose an eye contour cream that is strong in the field of sensitive skin. Strongly solicited by your numerous flutterings, this strategic zone is particularly fragile