Sensitive Skin Vs. Sensitized Skin: What Is the Difference?
We frequently come across many folks who claim to have sensitive skin.
But what does it mean? And do you too have sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin is a reaction to certain skincare products, itching, tingling, burning, redness, swelling, breakouts, or dry skin are a few of these symptoms.
However, your skin might not even be sensitive when examined closely.
Sensitive and sensitized skin are phrases that frequently get confused, like dry and dehydrated skin. Your skin may become more sensitive over time due to your diet, routine, and lifestyle. Due to the similar symptoms, understanding the differences between both skin types can be challenging at times.
Let’s dig in to learn briefly about these two skin types:
What is Sensitive Skin?
Although most people think of sensitive skin as easily irritated, there is much more to it. Let’s think of specific symptoms that can help you determine whether you have sensitive skin or not.
Do you occasionally suffer red, itchy skin or breakouts under specific environmental conditions?
If you’re facing such issues, then you possibly have sensitive skin. In simple words, one is prone to the condition of sensitive skin. This indicates that while it cannot be cured, it can be controlled. The skin barrier function in those with sensitive skin may be “damaged, weaker, or just structurally different.”
Signs of sensitive skin:
- Transparent skin tone and a thin skin texture
- Blotchiness or redness (This denotes hypersensitive capillaries or a propensity for rosacea).
- Cracking, flaking, or flakes on the forehead and cheeks
- Burning, itching, and flushing
- Little lumps or outbreaks that resemble rashes (not to be confused with acne breakouts)
People with sensitive skin have a likely chance of suffering from skin disorders. Most of these problems are related to hormonal changes. Sensitive skin cannot simply be “cured,” as stated. Thankfully, sensitive skin can be managed by using gentle, non-irritating skincare products. Following a minimal skincare regimen for your sensitive skin will also help to calm it and provide the extra protection it needs.
What is Sensitized Skin?
Similar to sensitive skin, sensitized skin also has a blotchy appearance with apparent signs of dryness and irritation. It’s challenging to tell them apart because they both seem identical. Sensitized skin, however, is not a skin type. Sensitive skin is something you are born with that cannot be cured as mentioned earlier, , however sensitized skin may be treated and cured.
Regardless of your genetics/genes , anyone can have sensitized skin. It’s a reflection of your surroundings. Sensitized skin can result from frequent irritability brought on/caused by lifestyle, common irritants, cosmetic chemicals including alcohol, lanolin, fragrance, and artificial colour, as well as other external factors. When specific triggers cannot be avoided, you can control your sensitised skin symptoms by changing your skincare routine and way of life.
Any one of the following factors may result in having sensitized skin:
- Environment Pollution, airborne allergens, weather, and temperature variations.
- Lifestyle factors like nutrition, smoking, dehydration, alcohol use, and cosmetic additives.
- Physiological effects of stress or changes in hormone levels
- Using too many skincare products with active ingredients.
Taking Care of Sensitive and Sensitized Skin
A less-is-more skincare philosophy is frequently advised by dermatologists, regardless of whether your skin sensitivity is inherited and persistent or acquired and short-lived. However, skincare items that strengthen the skin barrier and replenish moisture can be very helpful.
Avoid trying to self-diagnose or treat your skin with a bombardment of trendy treatments. They may cause more harm than good. A board-certified dermatologist should be consulted to identify underlying causes of sensitivity, rule out other skin diseases, and develop a management or treatment strategy.
Confused about skincare products? Let us help
If you’re confused about what kind of skincare products you should choose to deal with either sensitive skin or sensitized skin, then we are here to help you with thoughtfully formulated skincare products at Cerulean Skincare.
Our skincare products are specially created for sensitive and sensitized skin types. We nourish and protect the skin barrier through our potent but gentle compositions.
Our moisturising cream, cleanser, and lip balm are carefully formulated to be gentle to sensitive skin. We truly believe that for sensitive or sensitized skin, less is more!