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Quite simply, your skin has a weak protective lipid barrier. Without this shield in place, moisture evaporation increases. Skin becomes brittle. Minute cracks develop that are not visible to the eye. These little leaks virtually become avenues for incoming irritants. What's more, because your skin is often genetically thin, it is easily upset by wind, pollution, sun, detergents and so on, that keep it in a state of "red alert," ready to flare up at any time.
Biology is only the beginning. Your skin can become more sensitive for a slew of other reasons. Emotions. Diet. Even the weather and exposure to environmental toxins can further set skin off. And it is possible for someone who doesn't normally have irritable skin to develop it temporarily. Some common culprits: Hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause); extensive air travel, over-washing, harsh or frequent exfoliation. As your skin ages, it is also more prone to sensitivity because it naturally becomes thinner and drier.
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- Avoid hot water. It not only can weaken skin.s barrier, but the combination of detergent plus hot water can increase sensitivity.
- Don't scrub or scratch, ever, ever. And avoid any product or step that further breaks down skin's barrier.
- Downsize your routine. Keep care simple. The fewer additives in your skin care products, the better.
- Avoid products with added fragrances, alcohol, detergents, mineral oil, lanolin or other ingredients that are clearly known to sensitize skin.
- Drink 8 glasses of water a day to hydrate skin from within.
- Avoid the sun entirely or protect your skin from it with a physical sun block containing Titanium Dioxide - rather than a chemical sunscreen such as PABA.
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