How do I know whether I have sensitive skin?

Believe it or not, but the majority of people have sensitive skin. Sensitivity will vary from person to person but it’s more common than you think. Whether its hereditary, ill health, bad diet or down to some key ingredients, it’s good to know wther you have it and how to deal with it if so.

Thanks to EverydayHealth for the tips…

Your skin flushes red at the drop of a hat. Whether your face turns red after cleansing or just from facing into a gust of chilly wind, your skin’s propensity to flush is a sign that its barrier function is compromised. While the redness may indicate simple sensitivity, it could also be a symptom of rosacea, a skin condition that’s further marked by broken blood vessels and small pimples that tend to cluster around the nose, cheeks, and chin.

Skin care products and cosmetics often burn. Because the skin barrier is thinner in people who have sensitive skin, fragrance blends and active ingredients can penetrate more easily, causing stinging and burning. “If you have an immediate reaction to several brands of soaps, cleansers, and fragrances, you very likely have sensitive skin,” says Joel Schlessinger, MD, president emeritus of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery.

You frequently have the urge to itch. A skin barrier that isn’t functioning correctly not only lets irritants in but lets the good stuff out — namely, water. Dryness is often the trigger of itching. According to the Mayo Clinic, two of the most common causes of dry-skin itch are cold weather and excessive washing in hot water.

The best strategy for relief is to moisturise generously and often with a ceramide-containing lotion, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Ceramides and lipids are key ingredients in the skin barrier and can help restore your natural defenses.

Your skin’s forecast often involves flakes. The difficulty sensitive skin has in retaining and regulating moisture can translate into flakes that shed continuously. Often the cause is overuse of chemical exfoliants like retinoids and glycolic acid — simply reducing the frequency of their use should relieve the flaking.

For truly sensitive people, there may not be an obvious reason for the flaking. “It’s often very difficult to find any products that don’t worsen the problem,” says Dr. Wu. Hyaluronic acid, however, might be the magic bullet. The moisturizing substance can hydrate and help heal your skin. It’s also essential, advises Wu, that you support your skin’s ability to self-moisturize by eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats, and drinking plenty of water.

Babor Skinovage PX Calming Sensitive Daily Calming Cream is a 24h care cream calms and protects sensitive skin. It immediately calms sensitive skin, continually reduces redness, and replenishes skin’s lipids barrier to prevent sensitivity. Skin is visibly calmed and relaxed.

Features/Benefits:

• Soothes sensitive skin.
• Hydrates for 24 hours.
• Reduces redness and irritations.
• Strengthens skin’s resiliance to external environmental factors.
• Results in a visibly calm, harmonious, balanced complexion.

How to use:

Apply to face, neck and décolleté, morning and/or night, after cleansing.

Active ingredients:

• Osmo-Tec – Restores skin’s osmotic balance to improve cells’ ability to receive and process active ingredients.
• Alpine Stem Cells – Stimulate and accelerate production of optimally healthy cells.
• Bisabolol, Ginger – Calm skin and reduce redness.
• Shea Butter, Sesame Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil – Nourish, condition and reduces feelings of tension.
• Vitamin E – Antioxidant; Heals and prevents free radical damage.