A Sensitive Issue

Gentle Yet Effective Solutions to Soothe Sensitive Skin

For most people, fall brings to mind the beautiful changing leaves, the crisp night air or the excitement of football season. But for those with sensitive skin, fall often means itchy, cracked skin, chapped lips and dehydration. The weather changes that occur between seasons–from the intense summer heat to the arid fall winds—can wreak havoc on one’s complexion, resulting in increased sensitivity for every skin type.

In fact, many people who consider themselves sensitive skin types are, in reality, just experiencing interim skin sensitivity due to the fluctuating temperatures. According to Dana Perdue, national director of education for CosMedix, only a small percentage of the population actually has sensitive skin. “Many clients who think they have sensitive skin,” says Perdue, “are either using the wrong type or amount of products or manually over-stimulating the skin.”

According to melasma expert Lori Nugent of Derm Effects in Boise, ID, while genes may have a hand in determining who is more prone to develop melasma, the likely culprit is a combination of facial heat retention, UV exposure and hormonal fluctuation. “Women with elevated estrogen levels tend to develop increased skin pigmentation,” says Nugent. “Activity of melanin [also] increases [with] UVB light or heat.”

So what does “sensitive skin” really mean, then? While Perdue points out that there is no standard clinical definition of sensitive skin, the term generally describes a skin type that reacts adversely to even the most minor irritants and can manifest itself as redness, dryness, hives and/or breakouts. A variety of factors serve as catalysts for irritation in sensitive skin, from product ingredients to environmental stressors to lifestyle changes. Consequently, there are multiple levels of skin sensitivity with varying intensities.

Also referred to in the dermatological community as hypersensitive or reactive skin, “there are several skin types that we classify as truly ‘sensitive’ skin, including acne, rosacea, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, and skin sensitivities due to environmental allergies and irritants,” explains Perdue. “Different levels of sensitivity are directly correlated with each individual and the symptoms they experience, but the one thing that they all have in common is inflammation.”

In order to properly begin treating sensitive skin, Perdue urges patients to visit a skin care professional to determine the type and level of skin sensitivity rather than attempting to self-diagnose. “The most crucial step in treating every skin condition is a thorough analysis. An incorrect self-diagnosis can actually exacerbate the condition that you are trying to treat. Skin care professionals know the best steps to improve the skin’s overall health and will develop a custom-fit plan to correct your specific condition,” she says.

With condition-specific pathways at the heart of its skin care philosophy, CosMedix offers gentle yet effective solutions for even the most sensitive skin. The key to a healthy complexion without irritation is chiral correction, a pioneering purification process in which ingredients are filtered to contain only molecules that interact positively with the skin. Because of their reduced irritant content and enhanced ingredient intercommunication, all-natural, chirally correct products are a must for sensitive skin.

When it comes to successful treatment, what’s not in the products is equally—if not more—important in enabling patients to achieve optimal results. “The non-abrasive, plant-based formulas in the CosMedix line are free of artificial colors and preservatives and exclude potentially harmful ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), parabens, glycolic acid, chemical dyes and benzoyl peroxide. It’s the solution for sensitive skin,” says Perdue, emphasizing the importance of ingredients and formulation.

In conjunction with a non-irritating, chirally correct skin care regimen, there are a few extra steps that sensitive skin types can take to lessen their suffering. Perdue recommends limiting your consumption of alcohol, spicy foods and caffeine and boosting your intake of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids—found in lean meats, green vegetables, seeds and nuts—to help prevent or reduce the effects of inflammation. Consider your clothing choices as well. In lieu of irritating materials like wool, wear soft, natural fabrics like cotton and silk. From skin care to diet to clothing, the goal is to keep skin comfortable, balanced and healthy.

CosMedix Solution: Sensitive Skin

Chirally correct CosMedix cosmeceuticals are designed to decrease the amount of inflammation and strengthen the skin while protecting the lipid barrier.

Benefit Clean
This safe and gentle cleanser is enhanced with shea butter to calm the skin and zeolite, a unique ingredient from volcanoes that softly purges the skin of heavy metals, pollutants and dirt.

Define
Fortified with gentle, non-irritating acids and 2% AGP Complex, this resurfacing treatment stimulates collagen and elastin production for a dynamic yet well-tolerated level of skin remodeling.

Hydrate +
This light, daily antioxidant moisturizer hydrates the skin and protects skin from UV-induced inflammation with an advanced zinc oxide formula that’s free of irritating synthetic chemicals.