10 myths about sensitive skin

The term ‘sensitive skin’ is now widely used in everyday life, advertising and cosmetic practice. Sensitive skin refers to the tendency to have unusual reactions such as tingling, redness, burning, itching and discomfort. It reacts in this way to cosmetics and exogenous environmental factors. We present 10 myths and questions related to sensitive skin care.

1. 1. 1. Must wash your face twice a day

   Yes, ideally you should wash your face twice a day: morning and evening. However, sometimes problems can occur when cleansing it twice a day with several products. Some people’s skin may not accept even the mildest surfactants or ordinary water (especially running tap water). If, when washing your face twice a day, you notice that your skin becomes drier and more irritated, wash your face thoroughly only once a day (in the evening) with a soothing and rejuvenating gel from the Sensitive Smart Inflabiome line or Red Stop lotion. Meanwhile, in the morning, wipe your skin with a gentle toning product like a peptide toning foam or mist from the same ranges.

   1. 1. 2. Make-up cosmetics are not recommended for sensitive skin

   A good foundation will not harm the skin if it is applied over a well-chosen moisturiser. However, the application of foundation requires an additional cleansing step when caring for the skin. Make-up must be removed before washing, which can irritate the skin and cause a vascular reaction. Remember: the more intensive the cleansing, the more difficult it is to rebuild the epidermal barrier afterwards, which can increase sensitivity. Therefore, if you don’t need to apply make-up on a given day – only apply a day cream. We recommend the lifting day cream from the Sensitive Smart Inflabiome line or the Red Stop Rosacea Sensitive .

   1. 1. 3. Only dry skin becomes sensitive

   Dry skin is indeed often sensitive skin at the same time. This skin type is characterised by a lack of lipids – the same fats that form part of the protective barrier. But both normal skin and oily skin can also be sensitive skin. Why? The fact is that if the sebaceous gland works too intensively, it produces low-quality sebum. In addition, any skin type can have deficiencies in the lipid layer of the stratum corneum. And such problems affect the degree of sensitivity.

   1. 1. 4. Only natural cosmetics are suitable for sensitive skin

   With sensitive skin, aggressive cosmetic ingredients are to be avoided: products containing alcohol, mechanical scrubs and high-powered scrubs. But don’t go to the other extreme – a homemade mask made from food products can cause even more irritation. It is better to choose modern dermocosmetic products with clinically proven formulations for sensitive and reactive skin, such as the Sensitive Smart Inflabiome line or Red Stop Rosacea Sensitive .

   1. 1. 5. Peelings are contraindicated for people with sensitive skin

   Exfoliation and skin renewal are essential skin processes that can be impaired in people with barrier disorders. There are peels specifically designed for sensitive skin, containing low concentrations of acids and helping to reduce skin reactivity. Beneficial acids include azelaic acid, lactobionic acid and gluconolactone. In addition, there is another category of peels for those with sensitive skin – these are enzyme peels or peptides that regulate keratinisation without acids. From the Sensitive Smart Inflabiome line, the Chantarelle experts recommend a soothing and rejuvenating pH 4.5 enzyme peel with gluconolactone against inflammatory ageing and redness, regenerating the microbiome.

   1. 1. 6. More cosmetics means better

   The main rule of thumb for caring for sensitive skin, especially during an exacerbation of its problems, is another rule: “The fewer cosmetics, the better”. We use basic care – cleansing and moisturising. Remember to exfoliate gently once every 7-10 days with the above-mentioned scrub from the Sensative Smart Inflabiome line. Acid therapy – that is, a slight acidification of the skin ‘heals’ and ‘repairs’ the bilipid layer. As additional care, we use an active serum, e.g. a lifting rejuvenating and soothing serum from Deanol pH 4.5 or a peptide anti-stress and soothing serum pH 4.5. After just one month, you will see the quality of the skin change and the sensitivity decrease.

   1. 1. 7. The skin’s reaction to an irritant is allergy

   Allergies can also manifest as skin reactions; however, allergy and skin sensitivity are different concepts. An allergy is an immune response to an irritant. Sensitivity, on the other hand, is an over-reactivity of the skin to various agents. In the case of allergy, antihistamines relieve rashes; in the case of sensitivity, they do not. If in doubt, consult a dermatologist. The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis of your skin.

   1. 1. 8. Sensitive skin is forever

   Yes and no. If there is a genetic ‘inability’ to properly rebuild the skin’s protective layer, then yes. However, skin sensitivity is influenced by too many factors to be clearly attributed to genetics. Modern sensitive skin care relies on the use of specialised cosmetics whose ingredients help to rebuild the damaged protective barrier. In the Sensitive Smart Inflabiome line, these include Dermsooth P peptide, encapsulated Deanol, azeloglycine, Nisinoxid®, antioxidant Infra DNA Renover, non-ionic gold and silver particles, gluconolactone, high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (1MDa) and plant extracts. In the Red Stop line, azealinic, lactobionic and gluconolactone acids and many antioxidant and anti-stress ingredients.

   1. 1. 9. The cream works more effectively if applied in a thicker layer

   It is undesirable to apply a thick layer of cream – this will clog pores and impede cellular respiration. If you notice excess cream on your skin, remove the excess product with a tissue. If you are lacking in moisture, change the cream. For sensitive skin, we particularly recommend the peptide night cream for sensitive skin from the Sensitive Smart Inflabiome line or the Red Stop line.

   1. 1. 10. Stress does not affect sensitivity

   Stress is a key trigger for many conditions, including skin sensitivity. Relaxing hobbies, sports training and recreation, massage and consultation with a psychologist, as well as avoiding excessive multitasking will help manage long-term stress. Caring for sensitive skin is an art that relies on wise and conscious care and properly selected cosmetics.

dr Khrystyna Shekhovtsova

Chantarelle expert, dermatologist and aesthetic physician