What is sensitive skin and what are you sensitive to?

Sensitive skin is a lay term rather than a medical diagnosis. Some people truly have thin or a fine-textured sensitive skin. Since it reacts quickly to both heat and cold, sensitive skin sunburns and windburns easily. It is often dry, delicate and prone to allergic reactions. Other people have skin that is simply sensitive to its environment. Seasonal temperature and humidity changes, very hot water, detergent soaps, synthetic fragrances and colors, preservatives, alcohol (used on the skin), and other artificial additives cause irritation or inflammation, which leads to red, blotchy, and itchy skin. Rosacea, eczema and allergic contact dermatitis are commonly mistaken for sensitive skin.

Symptoms of sensitive skin:
Dry, Itchy, Tightm Flaking or Peeling Skin
This is usually due to dryness, common causes of dry-skin itch are cold, dry weather, wind, harsh skin care products and washing with very hot water.

Redness
This can take the form of a red rash, red bumps, blushing and flushing.

Stinging & Burning
Especially when using detergent based soaps or gels, products with alcohol or artificial fragrance, and strong acne or anti-aging products.

Treating Sensitive Skin with Mayonis Natural Soap
Simple, natural soap is best. We suggest that people with sensitive skin begin with soaps that contain no essential oils. Soaps like the Goat Milk Oatmeal, Carrot & Honey, Milk & Honey Baby Soap, Marsh Mallow Chickweed or any of the other soaps listed below that say “no added scent.” Some people have also found the Sea Buckthorn and Neem and Tea Tree soaps to be very helpful. Simple, wholesome skin care is best. Choose skin and hair care products carefully. Read labels and choose products that have simple, natural ingredients. The fewer ingredients in a skin care product, the better it is for sensitive skin. For a more extensive list of soaps for sensitive skin, please read Help Me Choose Soap. If you are not sure how a product will react with your skin, do a patch test before applying.

Sensitive skin is even more prone to problems from environmental elements like pollution, dry air and wind. Sensitive skin is also often dry. Moisturizing helps protect skin from water loss and maintains a healthy barrier from environmental factors. It is important to choose moisturizing products with simple, natural ingredients that will hydrate and soothe skin. Gentle natural creams and body and face oils are calming and kind to sensitive skin.

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