WHAT IS SENSITIVE SKIN?
"Sensitive skin" is a term used to describe heightened skin sensitivity and a high incidence of adverse reactions to certain irritants. The more common skin irritants are detergents, certain skin care products and environmental factors such as cold, wind, rain, sun and heat (see below for a more in-depth list of skin irritants). The medical terms used to describe sensitive skin are eczema and atopic dermatitis. There is a high correlation between dry skin and sensitive skin and also between frequent blushing or flushing and sensitive skin. While all sorts of skin can be categorized as sensitive, individuals with thin or finely textured skin tend to have a higher incidence of heightened skin sensitivity.


DO YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN?
If your skin reacts to any of the following factors causing your skin to itch, tighten or redden, then you may have sensitive skin (Note: Skin sensitivity can be exacerbated by dry or combination skin):

1. Adult acne
2. Red or blotchy skin
3. Flaky skin
4. Fine lines, spots or freckles that worsen with age
5. Reaction to certain skincare products, shampoos, hair sprays,
    cleansers or cosmetics
6. Reaction to certain fabrics like wool or linen
7. Reaction to household cleansers
8. Reddening or burning skin as a result of sun, heat, cold or wind
9. High levels of stress
 

COMMON IRRITANTS TO SENSITIVE SKIN
• Materials like wool and latex gloves can cause temporary skin irritation; remove the irritant and the
   symptoms may clear up pretty quickly. However, in some cases these irritants can stimulate a longer
   lasting allergic reaction.
• Some people may have other factors such as food or environmental allergies that manifest themselves
   through blotchy skin or hives. This irritated skin has a heightened sensitivity.
• Stress can also cause heightened skin sensitivity
• Medications can increase skin sensitivity (see below)
• Dry skin cracks and exposes your skin to environmental irritants and even traps these irritants
   in the fissures
• Heat, sun and sunburn can irritate the skin
• Extreme cold and windburn can irritate the skin causing heightened sensitivity
• Shaving, waxing, laser treatment, chemical peals and dermabrasion irritate the skin
• Alcohol dries the skin, increasing its sensitivity
• Fragrances and color additives can irritate sensitive skin. Detergent makers have responded with
   versions of their products that are free of these irritants. Also be careful of fabric softeners and
   dryer sheets that may contain irritating fragrances. Musk is particularly irritating to sensitive skin.
• Preservatives: Parabens are one common preservative in skincare products that can irritate your skin.
   Paranbens have also been linked to certain skin cancers in laboratory testing.
• Surfactants used to make emulsions (creams or lotions) can irritate the skin
• Soaps can dry the skin, be sure to use a moisturizing soap
• Sunscreens containing para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), especially those sunscreens with a high
   SPF rating (above 20 SPF)
• Intense exercise
• Rubbing the skin, like when using soap (foaming cleansers require less scrubbing and are
   therefore recommended for sensitive skin)
• Whitening agents used in laundry soaps and bleaches
• Heat: hot showers, saunas and Jacuzzis (chlorine in pools and Jacuzzis can also dry and irritate
   the skin)


SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SENSITIVE SKIN
• Diffuse redness or blotchiness
• Dry and itchy skin
• Irritation caused by skincare products
• Irritation caused by clothes washed in detergents with artificial colors and/or fragrances
• Overreacts to irritating activities such as shaving, cleansing, waxing, etc.


CERTAIN FOODS AND VITAMINS CAN INCREASE SKIN SENSITIVITY
Try to avoid foods with hot spices curries or peppers. Be very careful not to touch the juice of fresh peppers (wear gloves if you are making salsa) because it can lead to several hours of misery (unfortunately, I know this from personal experience). Very hot foods and liquids can also cause painful flushing of the skin. Caffeine and alcohol also cause vasodilation resulting in a flushing overheated and itchy feeling skin. Test yourself with these various foods and drinks, but keep in mind that while one food might not cause problems alone, in combination with others it can really irritate your skin.

Some vitamins can also increase skin sensitivity. People with sensitive skin should avoid high doses of Niacin (Vitamin B3) because it releases histamines to the skin causing vasodilation. In other words you get a strong red flush to your skin, you feel hot and itchy. Your body becomes accustomed to these doses of Niacin over time, but the initial flush can be very painful. In fact Niacin is very good for your skin, the the initial flush from a high does can be as painful as the pepper juice issue described above (and yes, I know this one from personal experience too).

By avoiding these conditions and situations, you can limit the problems associated with the symptoms of sensitive skin while not radically altering your lifestyle.

MEDICATIONS AND SKIN SENSITIVITY
Some medications cause increased sensitivity. These medications might cause topical sensitivity—localized to the area of application—or systemic sensitivity—affecting your entire body.

There are two types of reaction:
Phototoxicity: Where the medication directly affects proteins in the skin causing increased sensitivity or more severe sunburns. Phototoxicity directly affects the skin.

Photoallergy: This affects the skin proteins, making them react to UV light to create an allergen that goes into the bloodstream and causes a systemic allergic reaction; the affects are not localized solely to the skin itself. This can have a longer lasting effect.

The following medications may increase skin sensitivity:
* Antibiotics such as cipro, tetracycline and sulfa based antibiotics
* Non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs (NSAIDs)
* Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone which are commonly used in birth control pills
   and hormone replacement therapy
* Oral diabetic medications like sulfonylureas (Glucotrol)
* Blood pressure medications such as Diltiazem (Cardizem)
* Tranquilizers (e.g. Thorazine or Serentil)
* Acne medications like tretinoin
* Some chemotherapy drugs
* Skin products containing vitamin A of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA)
* Accutane or retin-a creams

If you are taking any of these medications your should, at the very least, apply a sunscreen, but you would also be well advised to wear clothing and a hat that protect your skin from the sun. This is not an exhaustive list of medications that can irritate your skin. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist about the skin sensitivity and UV-related side-effects.


THE LINK BETWEEN DRY AND SENSITIVE SKIN
Medical studies show that almost 50% of all individuals with sensitive skin also suffer from dry skin. Your skin has natural oils that keep it moisturized. As our skin ages, it loses some of its ability to generate these moisturizing oils. The skin can also dry out as a result of elements such as win, rain and sun. And of course, washing and rubbing our skin can cause a loss of these natural oils. This then causes the skin to become dry.

Dry skin is intimately linked to sensitive skin. When your skin becomes dry, it starts to crack. These cracks then allow the various irritants into the deeper and more sensitive layers of your skin. This causes more pronounced irritation to your skin.

Dry skin can lead to prolonged skin sensitivity or reaction to irritants. Not only can various irritants penetrate the cracks in dry skin, but these cracks or crevices in the skin actually trap the irritants, making it harder to remove the irritant and therefore prolonging the sensitivity reaction to the irritant.

Skin becomes dry when it loses its natural oils, which act as a barrier to the elements (wind, sun, etc.). These oils can be replaced with regular application of moisturizers, especially following any washing of the skin.

Dermatologists recommend that people with sensitive skin use all natural moisturizers like the Arouge products, to create a protective barrier against irritants and to avoid the skin cracking that traps and retains such irritants.

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE SKIN SENSITIVITY
Skin sensitivity is very complex because there are so many factors that can contribute and they affect different people differently. Because of this, it is best to do is to address all of the potential causes at the same time. Then over time you can test potential irritants one at a time to see how your skin reacts to it.

You may have been born with a genetic predisposition to sensitive skin, such as thin, fine or light skin that is susceptible to sunburn. In this case, there is nothing you can do to “cure” it, you just need to learn how to reduce the irritants in your life and then learn to cope with it.

When your skin is irritated, apply a moisturizer, but BE SURE it uses only natural ingredients. Man-made chemicals can irritate your skin. Most moisturizers, for example use less expensive chemically created ceramides. Be sure your moisturizer only uses bio-ceramides. Arouge only uses bio-ceramides.

1. Limit your exposure to things that can irritate your skin
2. Moisturize your skin on a regular basis. If you are wearing makeup, you can use a spray toner
    to deliver moisture to your face without affecting your makeup
3. Wear gloves to protect your skin, especially when washing dishes or cleaning the house. If you
    wear plastic or rubber gloves, be sure to take breaks to wipe the sweat away from your hands
    as it too can irritate them
4. Wear a UV and protective clothing (wide brimmed hat, etc.)
5. Wear gloves, ideally with a cotton lining, during cold dry periods like during winter
6. Wear clothes made of cotton or cotton blends, since they are the least irritating, avoid wool
7. Keep your showers or baths short and use only lukewarm water, followed immediately
    with a moisturizer that locks in the moisture
8. Use a moisturizer design specifically for sensitive skin, dermatologists recommend the Arouge
    line of skincare products
9. Avoid getting to hot or sweaty
10. Don’t scratch or rub your skin. This not only irritates your skin, it can also break the surface
      of the skin enabling irritants or bacteria to become trapped, resulting in further irritation
11. Stop smoking, this dries and irritates your skin
12. Shave carefully. Use a moisturizing shaving cream or gel, shave in the direction the hair grows
      (not against it) and rinse gently with warm water
13. After bathing pat your skin dry, don’t rub it
14. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and healthy
15. Try to reduce the stress in your life


ECZEMA: A MEDICAL TERM FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Eczema is a general term for rash-like skin conditions. The most common type of eczema is called atopic dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction. Eczema is often very itchy and when you scratch it, the skin becomes red and inflamed. As many as 15 million people in the United States have some form of eczema. It occurs in adults and children, but most often appears on babies. You are more likely to have eczema if you have a family history of the condition.

Although the exact cause is unknown, eczema is not contagious. Eczema can’t be cured, but it can be managed, and you can learn to avoid the things that trigger it.


TREATMENT FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
The most basic treatment is to determine which irritants are causing increased sensitivity and then avoiding these irritants. Aside from this common sense approach, there are additional treatments you can try.

One simple treatment is to maintain an optimum skin moisture through the use of moisturizers. These moisturizers should also be free of the irritants mentioned above, especially parabens, surfactants, fragrance and artificial colors. They should also be made of natural ingredients, not artificially manufactured chemicals. Dermatologists recommend Arouge products for this purpose.

When trying a new perfume, cosmetic or skincare product, try a little on your wrist first to see whether it irritates your skin.

For allergic reactions you can start with an antihistamine like Benedryl. Doctors might also recommend topical corticosteroids or immunomodulators (immunosuppressants). But you should see a doctor and should not try to self-medicate.


STATISTICS ABOUT SENSITIVE SKIN

• 56% of women report having sensitive skin
• 24% report having had a reaction to cosmetics products
• 46.4% of women with sensitive skin also have dry skin
• 46.3% of women with sensitive skin have consulted a dermatologist
   (Source: L’Oréal Usage and Attitude Study, January 2003)


SELECTING SKINCARE PRODUCTS FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
If you have sensitive skin, you should use skincare products that are designed for sensitive skin. What does it mean to be designed for sensitive skin?

Natural: Your skincare products should be based on natural and naturally extracted ingredients not man-made chemicals. The ceramides should be bio-ceramides, not man-made ceramides.

Moisturizing: Because of the link between dry skin and skin sensitivity, your skincare products should all contain a moisturizer, especially the cleansers. Avoid skincare products that include alcohol because it undermines the moisturizing agents, resulting in dry irritated skin.

No Irritants: Your skincare products shouldn’t include artificial coloring, perfume, surfactants or parabens which can irritate your skin.

Gentle Application: No matter how friendly a skincare product is to your skin, if the application requires a great deal of rubbing, it is going to irritate your skin. Arouge facial cleanser is dispensed as a foam so you don’t have to scrub it into your face. Arouge’s makeup remover actually lifts the makeup from your face without the need to rub and irritate your skin.

Arouge was specifically designed for sensitive skin. It fits all of these criteria. In fact, Arouge was originally designed for dermatologists in Japan and dermatologists recommend Arouge more than any other skincare products in Japan.

Testimonials

Amanda Metzker - Houston, TX I tried the Arouge samples and it soaked right into my face, leaving it fresh and moist, but not oily. I'm totally hooked on Arouge and I got a few of my friends to use it too. Maricel Paulino - Concord, CA I have very sensitive skin. My usual night time facial care routine used to leave my skin red and irritated. With Arouge, there is no irritation at all. After using Arouge, I can't imagine using any other skin care products. Lisa Nguyen - Charlotte, NC I am so grateful to have discovered Arouge. It is the one product that I have found that truly does penetrate, moisturize & soften my dry skin. My hands, heels & elbows, at long last, no longer are so dry they itch, crack and bleed. They are now soft to the touch, as well as being smooth. Theresa Vichit-Vadikan - Orlando, FL After a couple of years of neglecting my skin, I'm amazed at how simple it is to have youthful, vibrant and healthy-feeling skin. I really love what Arouge has done for me.

Arouge provides a comprehensive suite of skincare products, CLICK HERE to see the complete line of products, which includes:

• GentleLift Makeup Remover    • Delicate Foaming Face Wash    • Skin Balancing Toner Mist (For Dry and Sensitive Skin)    • Skin Balancing Toner Mist (For Normal Skin)    • Skin Silkening Treatment Gel    • Moisture Replenishing Cream    • Lumina Skin Brightener    • Deep Hydration Night Cream

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