According to the latest studies, 60 to 70% of women and 50 to 60% of men in Canada report having some degree of sensitive skin. The number of people who say they have sensitive skin has increased by as much as 55% in the last two decades alone. I visited CHCH Morning Live recently to discuss the issue with Annette Hamm.
Click on image below to watch the tv segment:
What is sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin is the occurrence of unpleasant skin reactions in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke these sensations. Hyper-reactive skin can cause sensations like burning, stinging, tingling, itching, prickling sensations or tightness, often accompanied by redness, inflammation or dryness. Sensitive skin is caused by weakened skin barrier that allows irritants to enter and moisture to escape. The skin condition is frequently triggered by cosmetics, sun exposure, environmental factors (heat/cold) and stress.
The concept of sensitive skin arose in the 1970s with the development of the first sunscreens. It became more prevalent in the early 2000s as Canadians started using more personal care products. Sensitive skin is equally common across all ethnicities. The exact causes of sensitive skin are not fully understood by the scientific community, but several characteristics have been attributed to an increased likelihood of sensitive skin: gender, age (we tend to develop sensitive skin as we get older), fair skin that is susceptible to sunburn, environmental issues, sun exposure, air pollution.
Fragrance sensitivities are similar to those in skin conditions. Approximately 30% of the general population experiences sensitivity, irritation and adverse health issues from scented products. About 2% have more severe reactions such as breathing difficulties or headaches from strong fragrance. Reactions range from mild to more severe.
Tips for those with sensitive skin:
Moisturize: sensitive skin can often be caused by dryness, which reduces the skin’s ability to deal with external factors. Hydrating your skin well can give it more ability to deal with sensitivity by supporting the skin barrier.
Use minimal products with fewer ingredients
Patch test: always test a new product on a small area
Ask a pharmacist if you have a question about any ingredients in a product
Avoid irritants: choose fragrance-free and hypoallergenic formulas
Strengthen skin barrier: use hydrating, gentle products to repair the skin’s protective layer
Look for colloidal oatmeal in your skincare products which has been proven in 80 scientific publications to soothe and calm skin.
In fragrances, oakmoss, limonene (a lemon note) and rose-scented molecules can cause some reactions.
Hypoallegernic – means a product is designed to cause fewer allergic reactions compared to others.
Allergy tested – a diagnostic procedure, usually a skin prick, patch or blood test, used to identify specific substances (allergens) that cause immune system reaction
Ophthalmologist tested – means a cosmetic product has been evaluated by a medical eye doctor to ensure it is safe, non-irritating and compatible with the delicate eye area.
Fragrance free – means the product does not contain added scents, whether synthetic or natural (like essential oils)
Non-comedogenic – means the skincare product is specially formulated not to cause blocked pores.
Dermatologist tested – means a product was tested on human skin under the supervision of a dermatologist to check for potential irritation, allergy or safety issues.
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