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Heal Sensitive Skin, Naturally
By Myra Michelle Eby, Expert Skin Care
Educator
 According
to a recent survey, 70 percent of women feel they have sensitive skin.
There is no question we’ve seen a dramatic increase in this skin type
over the past several years. But what exactly is sensitive skin? What
causes it? What can be done?
Sensitive skin is not a medical condition. Rather
it’s a subjective description of a skin type. Sensitive skin is
generally defined as skin that becomes easily irritated. Sensitive
skin can become red, flushed, inflamed, and/or itchy. An individual
with sensitive skin will often experience wind or sunburn more easily
and sometimes have allergic reactions to skin care products and make
up. The pores and texture of the skin are fine and with some people
the blood vessels and capillaries are visible on the skin’s surface.
The reason people develop sensitive skin is because
the outer layer of skin becomes impaired. The skin’s outer layer
protects us from a wide variety of outside assaults. If the barrier
function of our skin becomes compromised, irritants can penetrate it
and disrupt nerve endings and blood vessels. This compromised layer of
the skin also causes water loss that can lead to dehydrated skin,
which causes further irritation. External skin irritants can come from
the environment (pollution, wind, climate) or from the products we use
on our skin (cleansers, creams, make up). Heavily scented products are
especially irritating. Even municipal water can irritate the skin.
(Note from Christine: See my article
“How Healthy is Your Water?” for more information on chemicals
and pollutants in our water supply).
There is a spectrum of skin sensitivity that ranges
from mild irritation to severe Rosacea. Rosacea is a sensitive skin
condition that causes inflammation of the small blood vessels in the
capillaries of the face.
One of the first tell-tale signs of Rosacea is a red rash primarily on
the nose and cheeks. People with Rosacea can also experience bumps
that resemble classic acne on their cheeks and nose. If left
untreated, Rosacea can progress to include a bulbous nose, similar to
W.C. Fields. It is estimated that about 14 million Americans have
Rosacea. Unfortunately, a recent Gallup survey found that 78 percent
of Americans don’t know what Rosacea is, how to recognize it, or how
to treat it. Proper diagnosis of Rosacea is critical. For more
information about Rosacea, please see the article
“Living with Rosacea.”
Do You Have Sensitive Skin? Accurately identifying sensitive skin can be difficult because there
are so many factors influencing it. Our skin type can also fluctuate.
Key issues that help determine our skin type include:
- Hormonal activity: specifically menstruation, menopause, pregnancy
- Weather: dry, humid, cold, or hot
- Stress levels: high stress typically makes skin conditions worsen
- Diet: avoid foods that trigger allergic reactions
- Lifestyle: exercise frequently and don’t smoke
- Sun exposure: too much sun can be especially damaging to those with
sensitive skin
- Genetics: if your mother had sensitive skin, it is likely that you
will too
- Medications: some prescription drugs can make your skin more prone
to sunburn and skin sensitivities
Having sensitive skin can be troublesome and hard to manage. To heal
sensitive skin naturally, use nontoxic, specially formulated skin care
products. It’s absolutely critical that people with sensitive skin
avoid skin care products that contain toxic ingredients.
| Questionnaire – Do You Have Sensitive Skin?
To find out if you have sensitive skin,
answer the following questions:
1. Do you often experience redness and
stinging of your skin?
2. Does your skin flush easily?
3. Does your skin often have red blotchy
patches or rashes?
4. Does your skin often feel or appear to be
inflamed?
5. Do you sunburn and wind burn easily?
6. Do you see visible veins on your skin?
7. Does your skin appear to be thin and
fine-textured?
8. Does your skin seem to react quickly to
heat and cold?
9. Do you have difficulty finding skin care
products and cosmetics that do not produce irritation?
If you answered yes to five or more of
these questions, you most likely have sensitive skin. For a more
definitive diagnosis, see a dermatologist or an experienced
esthetician. |
The goals of an effective sensitive skin care routine are three-fold:
- Strengthen and protect the barrier function of the outer layer of
the skin
- Ease inflammation and soothe irritated nerve endings and blood
vessels
- Consistently moisturize and hydrate the skin
If you have sensitive skin, test all new skin care products on a small
part of your skin before using it liberally. People with sensitive
skin need to be vigilant about the ingredients in their skin care
products, much more so than the average individual. Even natural fruit
pulps and peels should be avoided until the skin becomes more
balanced. The specialized sensitive skin care protocol offered by MyChelle
Natural Skin Care is specifically designed with the previously
mentioned goals in mind. This is a four-step approach that includes
the following:
1. Cleanse in the morning and evening - Choose
Honeydew Cleanser
Unscented because it lubricates, moisturizes, and replenishes the barrier
function. This product contains natural melon fruit extract to enhance
the skin’s immunity, honey because it’s a natural antibacterial and
antifungal, and other bioactive healing ingredients.
  2.
Use serums in the morning and evening - Choose
Ultra Hyaluronic
Hydrating Serum and/or
Capillary Calming Serum.
Use Ultra Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum first because it contains
squalane from Spanish olives, organic rose hip seed extract and other
bioactive ingredients for optimum moisturizing and moisture retention.
Then layer with Capillary Calming Serum for relief of redness.
Capillary Calming Serum contains specialized extracts and nutrients to
ease inflammation, improve circulation, and remove toxins.
 3.
Mist throughout the day -
Fruit Enzyme Mist
helps ease inflammation while keeping the skin hydrated. This product
contains heavy water, a unique natural water from deep in the ocean
that has intense hydrating properties. This mist also contains
lavender oil to soothe, sodium hyaluronate to prevent water loss, and
other ingredients to help strengthen the skin. (Note from Christine: I
also use the Fruit Enzyme mist as a moisturizing toner that I apply
with a cotton pad after cleansing the skin).
 4.
Use a moisturizing cream in the morning and evening.-.
Deep Repair
Cream Unscented
contains highly therapeutic nontoxic ingredients such as Kambuchka and
Venucean to heal the skin, Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), oils from
Goji berry, Black Currant, and Rapeseed, as well as other nutrients
assist with cellular repair and help strengthen the barrier function
of the skin. Natural Relief
By using a comprehensive skincare routine, you can heal sensitive
skin. The products you use on your skin are absolutely critical.
Bioactive ingredients for sensitive skin types represent the best of
nature and science. By using the simple four-step approach described,
you will help ensure the success of your sensitive skin care program.
For more information about MyChelle
Natural Skin Care Company, click here
For more information about MyChelle
Natural Skin Care Products, click here
The statements contained in this article have not been evaluated by
the Food and Drug Administration. The information contained here is
not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Suggestions and ideas presented in this article are for information
only and should not be interpreted as medical advice, meant for
diagnosing illness, or for prescriptive purposes. The information in
this article is not to be used to replace the services or instructions
of a physician or qualified health care practitioner. |
