The Best Methods, Treatments And Makeup To Care For Sensitive Skin

The best methods, treatments and makeup to care for sensitive skin.

- Renée Batchelor

Sensitive skin is a skincare term that gets bandied about often, but in fact it is not a condition in itself. Dr Angeline Yong, a consultant dermatologist at Angeline Yong Dermatology says, “Although [it’s] used to describe several dermatological disorders, sensitive skin is not a distinct condition in itself but rather a symptom of clinically diagnosable diseases, such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea or acne.”

Those who have this condition will find that their skin is much more reactive than the average person’s and may find that anything from heat to alcohol can change their skin’s appearance or cause irritation and discomfort. “In most cases, sensitive skin refers to skin that flares up during (or after) environmental changes in the temperature or humidity, consumption of certain foods or drinks, or stressful situations. You can have sensitive skin without having allergies and vice versa but you can also have both,” she says.

According to her, those with sensitive skin may experience dryness, a tendency to flush or blush, or have skin that tingles, feel itchy or burns. Bumps, pustules and hives may also appear on the skin. Diagnoses for sensitive skin can range from contact dermatitis — an itchy rash that comes from an allergic reaction to a substance — to rosacea — a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes the cheeks, chin nose and forehead to turn red. Other more common forms of skin sensitivity can include eczema, photodermatoses (a reaction to sunlight) and psoriasis. It is important to get a clear idea of what is causing your skin sensitivity so a diagnosis by a dermatologist is needed.

BEST PRACTICES