Signs of sensitive skin

When diagnosing sensitive skin, dermatologists look for: skin reactions such as pustules, skin bumps, or skin erosion; very dry skin; and a tendency toward blushing and skin flushing.

Sensitive skin may not be that severe however, and may present itself as youthful or baby-like in appearance, fair and delicate looking. Many people feel that certain household or skincare ingredients may cause sensitivity upon contact with the skin, causing redness, inflammation, stinging, burning, dryness and discomfort.

The root causes of sensitive skin are largely unknown, however the following are several potential causes of sensitive skin reactions:

• Overly dry, dehydrated or injured skin - leading to skin rashes and reactions.
• Weak lipid barrier - due to many different reasons (eg wrong skincare routine and products, hormonal changes, nutrient deficiencies), the protective lipid barrier on the skin can be damaged and thus leave the skin more exposed to environmental factors.
• Excessive exposure to skin-damaging environmental factors - such as sun and wind or excessive heat or cold.
• Allergic skin reactions – from recurring exposure to an irritant or allergen that may result in an overactive response by the body’s immune system, often presenting itself as eczema, rosacea, or allergic contact dermatitis.
• Overuse of detergents – avoid the temptation to over-wash, as it will strip the natural oils, fats and nutrients, which protect and keep the skin hydrated, balanced and healthy.
• Poor diet or lifestyle choices – not consuming enough water, poor nutrition choices, poor personal hygiene, excessive stress or lack of regular sleep/insomnia, could all contribute to sensitive skin or eczema outbreaks.
• Genetic factors may also play a role in skin sensitivity and eczema; however further research is required on this subject.

Skincare Guide For Sensitive Skin 

• It is difficult to test for sensitive skin, as there are many factors which may contribute. Allergy testing may help to identify particular ingredients or products which may be causing or contributing to irritation. Otherwise, try to pay attention to which products or ingredients are causing you problems, and attempt to avoid them.
• Adopt a simple, gentle skincare regime - treat skin gently, and use mild, natural cleansers and skincare products.
• Daily cleansing, exposure to environmental elements, and other irritants can aggravate sensitive skin.
• Look for products with fewer ingredients and little or no fragrances. Try Glamveda 100% Natural Lip Butter with No fragrance & No colorants 
• Avoid products containing alcohol as it can be very drying. Also avoid harsh ingredients and detergents that strip the skin of its natural oils, eg SLES/SLS.
• Those with sensitive skin will want to avoid products which are antibacterial, artificially fragranced or contain potentially irritating ingredients such as alcohols, retinoids or AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids). Incorporate calming and soothing ingredients in your skincare regime.
• Try Glamveda Vitamin E foaming face wash especially curated for sensitive skin types. It is free from parabens,sls, mineral oils, alcohol & silicones.
• Anything that will help to lower the inflammation levels will calm the skin down and make the healing process easier and faster. Chamomile and calendula extracts along with aloevera can be very beneficial. Strengthen the skin barrier. An injured barrier is often the culprit for sensitive skin, so any products that will help to repair it can be very useful. Look for ingredients that contain oils high in GLA and other essential fatty acids