Acne and rosacea patients take note- you must know about proper skin-care and cosmetic usage to successfully manage your sensitive skin. This is the counsel of Dr. Diane Berson, who runs a dermatology practice in New York City.
A critical step in reducing skin sensitivity is understanding the importance of the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin and is composed of dead, flat skin cells held together by the protein keratin. This skin barrier prevents molecules from passing into and out of the skin and thereby protects the lower layers of skin while reducing skin sensitivity.
Healthy, uninjured skin is more effective at preventing skin irritations that may result from using cosmetics and skin care products. Individuals with altered nerve endings or more neurotransmitters under their skin are more susceptible to minor skin irritants in cosmetics and skin care products. When the skin is excessively dry or damaged, it cannot adequately protect these nerve endings. Sound moisturizing and a strong immune system help minimize possible skin irritants.
Some of Dr. Berson's recommendations for caring for sensitive skin include:
Selecting mild cleansers. Use mild cleansing agents that have synthetic detergents or lipid-free cleansers. Resist using abrasive cleansers since they can cause microscopic tears in the skin and damage the protective layers of the skin.
Rosacea patients should not use alcohol-based products such as toners or astringents.
Acne patients will benefit from toners that contain salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid. However, when starting a retinoid treatment, temporarily discontinue using a toner or astringent since the combination may make the retinoid more irritating. Acne patients must also limit or abstain from excessively rough cleansing and washing. Julie Harper, M.D., who directs a clinic to treat acne at the University of Alabama at Birmingham laments, "Teenagers think they have acne because they do not wash enough, but usually they are washing too often with harsh scrubs that make their symptoms worse."
Using moisturizers. Tracy L. Grosick, a key skin care product researcher with Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati says that when the skin's moisture barrier is intact, it helps the skin to combat environmental attacks that are encountered on a daily basis. When acne and rosacea patients are using treatments that dry the skin, moisturizers may improve the skin's barrier function. Dr. Benson recommends using moisturizers with the least amount of ingredients.
Rosacea patients should choose a moisturizer with only glycerin, petrolatum, or aloe vera, which might be anti-inflammatory.
Acne patients should also stick with products containing the least amount of ingredients.
Using noncomedogenic sunscreens. Rosacea patients need to use a physical-blocking products containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide because these ingredients will not irritate red, inflamed skin and will provide optimal protection.
Acne patients with oily skin should use noncomedogenic, non-pore clogging, products. Select an alcohol-based or gel-based sunscreen.
Preservatives. The best preservatives for sensitive skin are those containing parabens like methyl paraben and butyl paraben.
The key to keeping sensitive skin less susceptible to irritation is ensuring the integrity of your stratum corneum, the skin's primary defensive barrier. You can start by using a minimalist moisturizer, and noncomedogenic sunscreen.
Sources:
American Academy of Dermatology (Newswise.com)
Dermatology Times. Patricia Reiman. Alleviating sensitivity: Study finds moisturizers with niacinamide make skin more resilient. March 1, 2004 Dermatology Times. Cheryl Guttman. Sensitive skin valid patient problem. May 1, 2002.
E Skin and Allergy News. Timothy F. Kirn. Lifestyle, Cosmetics Integral to Acne, Rosacea Tx. August 2003.
Naweko San-Joyz writes health and beauty articles from her home in San Diego. She recently published "Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne" (ISBN: 0974912204). Naweko is presently working on title called "Skinny Fat Girls, Why we're still not getting this diet thing" (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in May of 2005. To challenge and verify her research, San-Joyz trains for figure competitions.
In many cases acne can be avoided. There are lots... Read More
The liver is responsible for detoxifying the blood as it... Read More
Most acne products do nothing more than waste money. Imagine... Read More
There are some natural foods that actually lead to blemishes... Read More
The typical modern medicine answer to outbreaks of acne include... Read More
There are many acne treatment coverup products on the market... Read More
Twenty-one year old Lydia Garcia faces an imminent dilemma- poverty... Read More
The benefits of water as part of our daily lives... Read More
Acne is not a problem confined to adolescence; in fact,... Read More
Acne is a pernicious condition that is as damaging to... Read More
An acne problem is not a problem, so long as... Read More
Are there acne solutions that really work? If you are... Read More
Many people suffer from eczema and various skin disorders that... Read More
An acne trigger is any thought, location, feeling, food, emotion,... Read More
Acne is a uncomfortable and embarrassing skin condition that affects... Read More
The skin is the largest and most visible organ of... Read More
Want clear skin?Clear, beautiful skin is the object of desire... Read More
Chances are, if you find yourself reading this article, you... Read More
The most obvious way around it is to use a... Read More
The development of anti-aging alpha hydroxy acid moisturizers is promising... Read More
If you have acne scars you may be interested in... Read More
White bumps bugging you? Just because you have little white... Read More
An acne trigger is any thought, location, feeling, food, emotion,... Read More
Let's face it, you are engaged in an ongoing battle... Read More
A few simple steps occur that cause skin blemishes. First,... Read More
Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by dirty... Read More
- A lot has been written about the causes of... Read More
Acne can sometimes be improved with a regimen of vitamins... Read More
Most people who suffer from acne go out and spend... Read More
Drinking fruit juices help to bring vitamins and minerals quickly... Read More
I read a report recently discussing the success of the... Read More
Eating the right kind of food is what can give... Read More
Acne or pimples are caused by hormonal changes, wrong food... Read More
Getting your bowels moving and cleaning out your colon is... Read More
Green tea is used by the Chinese as a traditional... Read More
Like a good many people I have been the victim... Read More
I read a report recently discussing the success of the... Read More
What Causes of Body Acne?Body acne can range from the... Read More
Acne is the most common skin disorder. Over 10% of... Read More
Mental attitudeAcne is an expression of toxins in the body... Read More
Are you experiencing problems with hormones and adult acne? Hormones... Read More
There are a plethora of acne medications currently on the... Read More
Laser acne treatment has been around for a few years... Read More
Brushing your skin with a brush or cloth is an... Read More
It is the bane of a person's existence. Everybody gets... Read More
Because prevention is the best way to protect your skin... Read More
Many dermatologists and acne sufferers believe that excessive sugar consumption... Read More
If you aren't a sufferer of the effects of acne,... Read More
If you suffer from acne, you may need acne skin... Read More
While many focus upon the biological or medicinal side of... Read More
The kidneyThe purpose of the two kidneys is to filter... Read More
In 12 previous articles, I have outlined the specifics of... Read More
If you have acne scars you may be interested in... Read More
You can find dermatologist lotion for acne prone patients at... Read More
Continuing research into the causes of acne has brought to... Read More
Although most teenagers get some form of acne, adults in... Read More
Eating the right kind of food is what can give... Read More
There are some natural foods that actually lead to blemishes... Read More
Many individuals suffer from acne, not just adolescents. Acne is... Read More
Acne can be a tough problem to fight but it... Read More
There are literally hundreds of various treatments available to reduce... Read More
If you want to control acne breakouts, you need to... Read More
Many doctors and alternative medicine practitioners believe that one essential... Read More
While it may sound elementary, the first place to start... Read More
It's everyone's worst nightmare. Waking up the day before a... Read More
The "cures" for acne vary dependant on the type and... Read More
Acne |