I often meet clients with sensitive skin that feel as if they have tried, and reacted to almost every skin crème going. It can lead to a very cautious attitude towards skin care and a temptation to avoid trying new things in case of a reaction or flare up. Truth is, sensitive skin is a compromised skin, and only good quality, cosmeceutical skin care can rebuild your skins strength and defences towards a healthier, less reactive skin.
What causes the problem?
Sensitive skin can be caused by a number of lifestyle factors including elevated stress levels, medication and using home care that does not suit our skin. An outdoor lifestyle can cause a sensitive skin due to the oxidive stress from the sun, pollution and wind damage. Eczema and dermatitis are often linked with sensitive skin but any level of sensitivity in the skin can be irritating, itchy, and even painful.
What happens in the skin?
Often in a sensitive skin, our barrier repair function is compromised, meaning our hydration and oil levels are low.
Our skin cells sit like bricks in the layers of our skin. They sit closely together with a fluid between them that acts like the cement of a wall keeping our skin strong and lubricated. This fluid in between our skin is called the intracellular matrix and sits on top of the skin as the ‘acid mantle’. This fluid is made up of oil and hydration and when both are made by the body well, it offers us protection from environmental aggressions and allows our skin to function healthy. If this fluid is stripped away by the environment, or the body lacks the ability to make the oils and hydration needed, it leaves our skin dry, sore, and vulnerable to damage.
When vulnerable skin is exposed to stress such as sun exposure, use of aggressive products or even a change in the weather, it can cause our body react by sending blood to the skin as a defence mechanism. This blood will bring with it white blood cells, and immunity cells to try and repair and defend the skin against the damage. This will make the skin red, inflamed, and hot; the common symptoms of a sensitive skin. In order to stop this happening, you must rebuild your barrier repair function by replenishing your body’s oil and hydration so it can protect you against aggressions and not require the flush of blood.
How can a product fix this?
A cosmeceutical grade product, whether a serum or crème, will boast a delivery system like liposome technology, or Vectorise technology. This technology will deliver very effective ingredients right to the cause of the problem. Key ingredients to look out for include Hyaluronic acid, which increases your cell hydration by up to 100 times its own molecular weight, and cooper complex which aids repairing of the skin.
IMAGE skin care vital C range is rich in anti-oxidants, which can rebuild and strengthen your skin cells. Anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C, Superoxide dismutase and Green Tea all improve skin sensitivity and give your skin back it’s healthy glow.
Don’t be disheartened by sensitive skin, there are plenty of results driven, effective products you can use at home and even mild correction iPeel treatments in clinic.
To Speak to your nearest IMAGE stockist and begin your journey to stronger, less reactive skin, click here.
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