If your skin type confuses you, you’re not alone!
Ummm, yikes!
This study highlights the fact that there’s still confusion about what skin type really means. In my practice, I see the following issues often:
- People haven’t identified their true skin type, and sometimes confuse skin type with skin condition.
- People do know their skin type but don’t know what changes to make in their skincare behavior as a result.
One common mistake I see occurs when people don’t recognize the difference between sensitive skin, which is a skin type, and sensitized skin, which is not.
There really is a difference.And not understanding that difference can be a skincare disaster.In this post, my goal is to help you connect the dots between your skin type and your skincare.I’ll also make sure that you recognize sensitive vs. sensitized skin and treat it accordingly using practices that will soothe and heal.
Let’s get started!
What Is Sensitive Skin?
Skin sensitivity is a huge issue for many.
According to The International Society of Dermatology, 44.6% of Americans claim to have sensitive to extremely sensitive skin.
The reality is this: Truly sensitive skin is genetic.
It’s what you’re born with.
This means the way it reacts to sunlight, the way it reacts to chemicals and products, and, once you have the knowledge you need, how you should take care of it.
Those who were born with sensitive skin share certain characteristics – their skin reacts easily to outside influences like the weather, fragrances, heat, or cold.
When exposed, sensitive skin becomes inflamed and irritated easily and often.
As I mentioned, one of the biggest factors that causes you to have sensitive skin is your DNA.
While you can’t exactly change your skin type if you have sensitive skin, you can cultivate certain self-care behaviors and skincare habits that will work with your natural skin type rather than against it.
No matter the skin type you were born with, you can nourish your skin and treat it well, and it will look and feel its best in return.
Some practices, like staying hydrated with plenty of water, are essential to every skin type.
Other practices, like choosing the right ingredients for a rejuvenating mask, should differ depending on your skin type.
How to Know Your True Skin Type
Lucky for us, beauties, gone are the days of the “all-purpose” night creams found in every medicine cabinet.
Now we have options!
The key with so many choices is to find the exact formulas that will benefit your unique skin and serve its needs the best.To do that, you must know your skin type.
What Is Sensitized Skin?
Sensitized skin is not something you were born with.
Though the effects are similar to sensitive skin, sensitized skin is not caused by our DNA, but by our lifestyle and the choices we make, such as the environments where we spend the most time or the products we apply to our skin.
In my experience, some of the biggest factors causing sensitized skin are pollution, stress, and alcohol consumption.
In this day and age, as much as we may enjoy a cocktail hour, the fast pace of city life, and the adrenaline rush of the daily hustle, it’s all taking its toll and creating irritable skin for many.
Some of these factors are easier to change than others.
Let’s look at two of the biggest and least understood culprits when it comes to creating sensitized skin, and then we’ll break down the best practices and products for both sensitive and sensitized skin.
