Normal skin has a natural protective moisture barrier made up of water and lipids (oil). These lipids play a crucial role in the skin's water-retention ability by acting as a barrier to trap water, prevent water loss and keep irritants out. With sensitive skin, this barrier is often impaired, allowing vital moisture to escape and irritants to penetrate the skin causing stinging, redness and irritation. The skin is more susceptible to reactions from both internal and external factors when the barrier is not functioning properly.

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What Is Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive, reactive or intolerant skin can be defined as an abnormal skin response to various factors, which can be physical or chemical. The response is far stronger than that of normal skin under the same circumstances. All skin types (dry, combination, oily, etc.) can be affected, but it is more commonly found in women and in those suffering from dry skin.

What Are The Characteristics of Sensitive Skin?
Symptoms associated with sensitive skin can be both subjective (no visible signs) and/or objective (visible evidence of the condition):
• Subjective symptoms include: burning, stinging, itching or feelings of tightness
• Objective symptoms include: dryness, scaling, redness and swelling
Physiologically, sensitive skin possesses one or more of the following characteristics:
1. Anything that diminishes the skin's barrier function increases the chances for a sensitized skin. With a compromised barrier, substances can easily penetrate which can cause stinging and irritation.
2. An overly dry, dehydrated or injured skin cannot adequately protect nerve endings and can lead to skin reactions.
3. Persons with sensitive skin often have multiple allergies to food and inhaled agents, as well as to topical allergens - all of which reflect enhanced immune responsiveness.

What Causes Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive skin has a tendency to over-react to various physical or chemical factors:
Internal Factors:
• Heredity
• Aging skin
• Hormonal changes, such as menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause
• Medications, such as antihistamines, some antibiotics and diuretics
• Stress and poor diet
External Factors:
• Skin disease, such as rosacea, acne, eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, seborrhea
• Sun damaged skin, dehydrated skin (skin lacking water)
• Skin traumas, such as sunburn or aggressive treatments (chemical peels, abrasion)
• The environment, including sun exposure, extreme temperatures, wind, humid or arid climate, pollution, air conditioning
• Exposure to chemicals; certain plants; bacteria; free radicals
• Skin care products that are either too aggressive, inappropriate for the skin type or overly stimulating
• Some cosmetic ingredients such as fragrance, penetration enhancers (propylene glycol), emulsifiers, preservatives, some essential oils, chemical sunscreens
• Skin care products that strip the skin's natural moisture barrier, such as soap, strong cleansers or astringents with alcohol, detergents, solvents
• Aggressive ingredients or using the wrong strength for your skin type, such as Benzoyl Peroxide, Glycolic Acid, Retinoids (Retin-A, Renova™, Accutane)

How Can I Improve My Sensitive Skin?
The best thing you can do is avoid the substances that you know provoke a reaction. Choose skincare products that are formulated for sensitive skin. The following four factors are key in "normalizing" a sensitive skin:
• Restoration of Barrier Function with ingredients such as Ceramides, Squalane and Essential Fatty Acids (Linoleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Behenic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Oleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Cholesterol) that make up the skin's barrier; Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate), Shea Butter.
• Soothe and Calm Irritation with ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Green Tea, Algae, Mugwort, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Allantoin.
• Rehydration of the Skin with ingredients such as Panthenol, Aloe Vera, Sodium Hyaluronate.
• Protect Against Free Radicals with ingredients such as Alpha Lipoic Acid, Green Tea and Vitamin E.

Caring for Sensitive Skin
• Choose skin care products, makeup and sunscreens that are fragrance free and are labeled for sensitive skin.
• Use a broad-spectrum UVA / UVB sunscreen on a daily basis, geared for sensitive skin with "natural" sunscreens such as Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
• Minimize the amount of products you put on your face and be gentle with your skin. Use tepid, not hot or cold water and pat dry with a soft towel. Avoid rubbing the skin.
• Keep the skin well hydrated with a moisturizer for sensitive skin, both day and night.
• Don't over wash or over exfoliate your face. Use a mild, soap-free cleanser.
• Avoid stimulating products such as alpha hydoxy acids, benzoyl peroxide and retinoids.
• Try facial treatments geared for sensitive skin, moisture building and barrier repair.
• Avoid extreme temperatures, hot or cold, even in showering.
• Avoid hot and spicy foods, alcohol and smoking. These affect the dilation and constriction of the capillary walls and will worsen sensitivity.
• Consider supplementing your diet with anti-inflammatory nutrients. Essential fatty acids found in cold-water fish, raw nuts and certain vegetable oils contain Omega 3 and Omega 6 that are natural anti-inflammatories. Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids help strengthen capillaries and reduce irritation.