How to soothe sensitive skin

Ask any woman if she ever experiences sensitive skin and chances are she will say yes. Then ask her what she means by that and you will likely get a range of different responses. One woman may say it is because she blushes easily. Another may have occasional dry, flaky patches. A third may say her skin is easily irritated. So which one has sensitive skin? Well, they all do.

Sensitive skin has become an umbrella term that is used to describe a number of conditions from general irritation from dry skin to the medical condition rosacea. What they all have in common is inflammation. Inflammation occurs when the skin’s outer barrier layer is damaged, often through a lack of hydration, overexposure to the sun or contact with irritants. Skin sensitivity may be more severe in winter when skin tends to be drier. It may also get worse as a woman ages, as older skin tends to be more dehydrated.

HOW TO SOOTHE SENSITIVE SKIN

If you have sensitive skin, you probably already know that your fragile skin requires special care. There are a number of ways you can calm irritated skin and help strengthen your skin’s protective moisture barrier:

• Moisturise.

• Protect. Wear an SPF moisturiser daily year round. Sun exposure is top on the list of sensitive skin triggers;

• Take shorter, cooler showers. Try to limit them to 10 minutes tops and wash with warm, not hot, water;

• Use a humidifier.

It helps to add moisture to the air in the drier months.

FAQ

1. What is sensitive skin and what causes it?
   
   Sensitive skin is an umbrella term covering a range of conditions — from general irritation to medical conditions like rosacea — all characterised by inflammation. This inflammation occurs when the skin's outer barrier layer is damaged, often through lack of hydration, overexposure to the sun or contact with irritants. Sensitivity can worsen in winter when skin is drier and tends to increase with age.

2. What are the main ways to soothe and care for sensitive skin?
   
   Moisturise regularly to strengthen the skin's protective moisture barrier, and wear an SPF moisturiser daily year-round, as sun exposure is a top trigger for sensitive skin. Take shorter, cooler showers (no longer than 10 minutes with warm, not hot, water), and use a humidifier in drier months to add moisture to the air.

3. Why can sensitive skin worsen in winter or with age?
   
   Skin sensitivity tends to be more severe in winter because cold weather and indoor heating reduce moisture levels, leaving the skin's barrier more vulnerable. As women age, skin becomes more dehydrated, which weakens the barrier function further, making the skin more prone to inflammation and irritation from everyday triggers.