Sensitive Skin vs. Sensitivity Skin

Skin sensitivity is a huge issue for many people. According to The International Society of Dermatology, 44.6% of Americans claim to have sensitive to extremely sensitive skin. The thing most people would be surprised to find out though is that they may not have sensitive skin at all but sensitivity skin.

What's the difference?

Truly sensitive skin is genetic. It's what you are born with. This means that from birth you are sensitive to sunlight, chemicals, the weather, heat, cold or fragrances. When exposed, sensitive skin becomes inflamed and irritated easily and often. Unlike sensitive skin, sensitivity skin is not something you were born with. Though it may feel the same, sensitized skin is not caused by your DNA but by your lifestyle, food choices, the environment you live in and the products you apply to your skin. Some of the things that cause your skin type to change are pollution, stress, smoking cigarettes and alcohol consumption. Sensitivity skin develops while sensitive skin happens from birth.

The Science Behind Sensitivity Skin:

Your skin is made up of layers, each of which performs important functions in protecting your body. The outermost layer is called the stratum corneum and is known as a brick wall. That brick wall is made up of keratin and natural moisturizers. It consists of tough skin cells called corneocytes. This is your skin barrier.

The stratum corneum's job is to protect your body. It does this by regulating the movement of water, electrolyyes, and other substances in and out of your skin. There is a film on top of the stratum corneum called the acid mantle, and it is made of natural oils and sweat, as well as critical proteins and molecules that your skin uses for defense, such as UV-absorbers, inflammatory mediators and antimicrobial cells. The brick wall and the thin layer above it, is literally keeping you alive. Without it, all sorts of harmful environments toxins and pathogens penetrate your skin and wreak havoc in your body, causing sensitivity skin.

The skin's barrier is slightly acidic and the acid mantle helps to create a buffer against the growth of harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi that could damage your skin and lead to infections and other skin conditions. When the acid mantle is not protected against wounds and there is a compromising of the skin barrier layer from doing is naturally-intended job, this becomes the cause of symptom of skin disorders and diseases.

How to Prevent and Cure Sensitivity Skin:

Since your skin's barrier is slightly acidic, it is critical that you protect it. So how do you do this so that you dob't contract sensitivity skin and if you do, you can help to cure it:

1) Do not smoke or drink: Both of these bad habits wreak havoc on your skin. Be careful being around those that smoke because even the second hand smoke can cause you to develop sensitivity skin.

2) Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water and eating foods high in water content help to both prevent and cure skin sensitivity issues. Lots of water helps to clear out the toxins in your skin.

3) Exercise: Sweating is a critical component of changing your skin from sensitivity skin to not having sensitivity skin. Exercising causes you to sweat and sweat gets rid of impurities within the body. Sweat daily and as often as you can, along with drinking lots of water and not smoking or drinking to help keep sensitivity skin from coming abound.

4) Be mindful of your diet: There is a reason why people who go vegetarian, vegan or just eliminate red meat out of their diets notice a better change in their skin. Because what you eat affects your skin. Processed and fried food can cause havoc on your skin. Red meat and the chemicals injected into it can also cause havoc on your skin. It is fine to eat these things in moderation but on the daily, multiple times a day can cause you to ingest substances that can cause sensitivity skin issues sooner than later.

5) Choose the right skin care products: Knowing your skin type is critical to you choosing the right products, as is the type of products you buy. Stay away from cheap Dollar Tree and Dollar Store skin care products as they are filled with chemicals that can cause your skin to react negatively, thereby causing sensitivity skin. Buying cheap products, filled with chemicals from any store causes skin sensitivity. At all times, you should be investing in your skin, buying high quality, all natural products such as ours, regardless of your skin type.

6) Protect your skin: Regardless of your skin tone and nationality, protecting your skin is critical to not getting sensitivity skin. Use the proper sun screen especially during the summer. Spend the proper amount of time outdoors and don't burn your skin on purpose. Keep your skin moisturized at all times but moisturized to the layer that is appropriate for your skin type. Even oily skin needs to be moisturized just not as much as dry skin.

Your skin is your largest and most important organ. Treat it with class and care to prevent skin sensitivity from becoming a thing for you.