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When you say your skin is sensitive.....
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....what do you mean?
Please explain to me what happens with your skin that makes you think it is sensitive.
Just wondering what most people think.
Muchas gracias,
Lynnette -
I'd say my skin is a little sensitive. If I keep it exfoliated and well-moisterized, I can use AHAs and retinoids without problem. If I use them too much or if I use too strong a formulation my skin gets red and tender; like I've got a sunburn. I do react strongly to lactic acids, my estetician can only leave it on for a couple of minutes before I start to get red. She told me once that it never irritates some women no matter how long she leaves it on.
My eyes are really sensitive to many of the fragrances used in cosmetics and skincare products. A lot of times a product will be fine on my skin but make my eyes all red and watery, so I look like the Childcatcher in Chitti Chitti Bang Bang. Oddly, perfumes rarely cause problems for me but if I wear the same perfume day in and day out, I'll develop an allergy to it. That's one of the main reasons I wear so many different perfumes.
But my gums are really, really, REALLY sensitive. Fortunately, trying new toothpastes isn't nearly as much fun as trying new makeup or perfume.
So, in answer to your question, my skin gets red, raw and sensitive like a someone used sandpaper on my face . Sometimes it gets sort of speckly, like someone took a red fine-tip marker that's starting to dry out and poked me on the face. It feels very tender and putting almost anything on it will make it sting, which makes it even redder. -
My face dries out, my cheeks get flushed and it burns to put on ANY creams/lotions. Now that only happens when I use benzoyl peroxide.....which I don't anymore
my gums are super sensative too PR...I can't switch brands of toothbrushes ot the whole lower right gum line becomes so nasty -
I have a mild case of Rosacea so I am particularly sensitive to exfoliants and having professional facials. Heat, alcohol, and the sun are not my friends!!
I am a fair haired. fair-skinned Irish/German who grew up in Hawaii so that has doomed me to freckled skin as a youth, some bad sunburns despite sunscreen, and now lovely aging spots due to the sun exposure.
Actually as a youngster I HATED going to the beach because I ALWAYS burned so I guess things could be worse. I stayed out of the sun as much as possible but when you are that near to the equator it's hard to do. And sadly I grew up before "WEAR SUNSCREEN" was a mantra. -
Ditto, ditto, and ditto!
PR: I have not thought about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in years. If misery loves company, you might enjoy knowing that I, too, look like the Childcatcher when my eyes are mad about something that I used....LOL -
I get red easily, when I'm hot, drink alcohol, or cold, or am in the wind a lot. Retin-A was not a friend at age 12, and still not a friend at age 22. Break out easily, burn easily, and get rashes easily, both on my face and all over my body.
Fair at times, but not so fair at other times. Already have some sun spots, 1 on my chin and a few underneath both eyes. But I was in band and I'm from LA, it's hot and sunny here all year round! Plus I wasn't always a beauty brain.
OHHH, sweating can make me break out in rashes all over m face and body. When I was younger, I never understood why I was so ugly, and even more ugly after ballet class, while all the other skinnier and taller and leaner girls still had beautiful fair faces, while I was red and itchy.
That, I call sensitive. -
Taiwanesegurl--I'm sure you were not ugly as a child, BUT I know how you felt. Stick skinny with a big head and thick coke bottle glasses oh and oh so very shy...I felt ugly and friendless.
My face does get blotchy and red after I exercise... but not itchy -
taiwanesegurl, you and I are in the same boat- Asians who turn red from alcohol. Someone told me it was due to lack of alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme.
I am not sure about the definiton of senstive skin. My skin has never broken out into a rash or reacted badly to any product. However, the tops of my cheeks are prone to reddish itchy blotches and tightness after I finish running. It happens in both cold and hot weather and when I put lotion on to soothe my skin, it burns/hurts. -
bobanerd: Sounds like you have what I've heard referred to as "angry skin". I get it a lot, too. It's no fun because you'd like to put something on to help it but everything burns and seems to aggravate it more!
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bobanerd - it is due to the lack of alcohol dehydrogenase.. my coworker recommended Pepcid AC before drinking..
and maybe u can try aloe vera? don't get just some sort of gel with aloe vera in it, because once Karen (the same Karen on the board) did that, and the gel contained alcohol.. so try to get just strips of aloe vera to put on your cheeks.. -
Guilty as charged...LOL
Boy, did that burn! -
I was thinking about this just today because I've noticed the red spots on the tops of my cheeks don't go away completely. I do have rather pale skin so it's easier to see the underlying reddness. If I exercise or use a harsh facial product, those are the first places to show Red on my face. Wonder if it's possible to apply some treatment just to those spots?
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bobanerd, maybe you should see a dermatologist if your skin condition is persistent. They can diagnose more accurately just what is going on. I read once that a APP'T with a DERMATOLGIST is far more cost effective than having a FACIAL in terms of skincare maintenance. He/She can also tell you accurately what ingredients to avoid so that you don't get flare ups.
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Some things to remember about the dermatologist:
* they will recommend the products that their salespeople leave
*They are there to help you get rid of your skin issues. They are NOT into long term skin care.
That is why you will see many derms now hiring estheticians. AND, the doctor usually has some private label products that the Este has to use/sell.
For example-- I have severe eczema. The derm will give me a script for meds, but he is not into finding out what is CAUSING it. I know it is food allergies as I had the tests done, and see the flare ups when I eat the ones I am allergic to. Just my observation with dermatologists.
buenos dias,
Lynnette -
but isn't that western medicine in general? just giving ya meds to treat a symptom?
at least that's my opinion.. my sister went to the doc complaining about back pain, and she just got 2 pain killers and a muscle relaxer, and was sent home.. um, ok.. but can't you guys do some tests to figure out why her back hurts? -
taiwanesegurl- same with my husband and his bad back. My quack doctor just prescribes Hydrocodone for everything....HE Even wanted to prescribe it for me when I had a UTI instead of the peridium(sp) which makes me want to vom.
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I agree with Lynette that dermatologists are there to help you with "skin conditions" . If you ask them about cosmetic issues they will refer you to their aesthetician.
Once you understand that you can decide whether you want to go to a) an MD; b)an aesthetician or c) the cosmetic counter. Keep in mind that expecting a cosmetic to solve a medical problem is a waste of money and going to the dermatologist to ask about general skin care issues or non-prescription products recommendations is also a waste of money. Buyer/Patient beware is my motto. -
taiwanesegurl: By chance is your sister on Accutane? My son had terrible back pain from using it. Evidently, it dries out vertebrae.
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Yes, this is the norm for doctors anymore.
When my husband began with severe lower back pain, he was sent to a workman's comp doctor. She gave him muscle relaxers and told him not to worry. She told him he was TOO YOUNG TO HAVE CANCER.
OMG.... well, I wonder if she will go to CHOP and tell the kids there that they are too young to have cancer.
Well, my husband was in advanced stages of prostate cancer. I am so glad I insisted on getting him to go to the family physician to get checked. He would be dead now if he had not gone.
Ladies, get your guys to get checked. I know this is not cosmetic related, but to make it that way--- don't some of us want to look good for our significant others? We will not be able to do that if he/she is not there. So if you have a guy, get him to get that exam. And tell him to get over it. LOL....
Feliz Navidad,
Lynnette -
If your skin in sensitive then it just means that if you use a scrub with lots of beads or an acne cleanser with too much acne treatment then your skin will start peeling or going extreemly red and hurt.
I have sensitive skin, but my skin is also Oily and acne-prone, so I basically have the worst kind of skin out there. -
Hi, my name is happy_blackbird and I have sensitive skin! Most days, I can wash my face with nothing other than water on a soft washcloth. Most facial products (both mass marketed and "natural" types) turn my cheeks bright, beet red, leave my skin stinging terribly, and raise small, angry bumps across all across my face. Finding a moisturizer that doesn't irritate my skin is a challenge, but as I tend to skew very dry and live at a very high altitude, some kind of moisture is a necessity. Most days I can only tolerate straight honey.
Trying to find a cleanser is an even harder challenge. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in foaming cleansers? Express train to a raw face. I find Cetaphil's liquid cleanser to be the hands down worst. Milky cleansers? Guaranteed little angry bumps. Gel cleansers strip my skin into sheet of flaking skin. Cold cream type cleansers feel wonderful, but are the only thing that actually clog my pores and lead to cyctic acne (to which under normal circumstances, I am not prone).
Physical scrubs are a disaster, as they all instigate a rosacea flare up. So does exercise and alcohol (which I can't metabolize in the slightest), but there's no way I am giving up the gym. I have good luck with a 2% BHA liquid as a chemical exfoliant three times weekly, but only on my forehead, nose, and chin. On my cheeks, the BHA is a wrecking ball.
Any product containing fragrance, whether artificial perfume or essential oils, makes my face quite the stinging mess. The same goes for using a washcloth that was laundered with perfumed laundry detergent, fabric softener, or perfumed dryer sheets. Products containing silicone also feel fine going on, but within 24 hours raise the angry bumps. Olive oil brings on my rosacea, as does mineral oil (absolutely the worst) and jojoba oil. Once the rosacea kicks in, only prescription MetroGel calms it down (over the course of about ten days), but that leaves my skin terribly dry.
So there you have it. My particular version of "sensitive" skin. Fun! -
Hi Happy Blackbird: I too have Rosacea but thankfully it has been kept under control by MetroCream. It sounds as if you are SUPER SENSITIVE...since you are using MetroGel you must have a dermatologist but has he recommended that you try an allegist to see if there is something else going on?
Shopping for beauty products must be a nightmare for you...and expensive.
The only thing besides SCRUBS and PROFESSIONAL FACIALS that has made my skin wack out was DHC's Olive Oil Cleanser...I bought a LARGE size of it and after about a week I began to have bumps...grrrr. It did a great job of removing makeup but it just wasn't for me.
Have you tried Paula Begoun's products...they are supposed to be safe but they are more expensive than drugstore brands. Good luck! -
I have skin sensitivities per my allergist (one true allergy, several "sensitivities"), though allergy testing did not find everything that aggravates my skin. I get itchy when I use most soaps and lotions (there are a few that work for me) or if I don't take my Zyrtec. If I use something too harsh on my face, it turns red, but it is only temporary (if I use certain toners it gets red and feels tight, but by the time I'm ready to put my makeup on, it's back to normal). My face isn't that sensitive, but my neck and arms are quite allergic to fragrances (getting a rash is usually the reaction). I once had a horrible rash on the back of both legs after trying Nair.
What has worked well for me (and skin sensitivities are touchy, so what works for me may not work for you) has been fragrance-free coconut oil soap (purchased on Etsy) which I use as little as I have to. I also use Aveeno Sensitive Skin lotion, but can only use it once or twice a week at most. I gave up all perfumes, and lipstick, and take Zyrtec daily. And we changed our laundry detergent and dryer sheets, which helped a lot too.
On the bright side, my mom and sister have gotten a lot of free cast-offs from me. :) -
i have sensitive skin.
It burns when i put anything on it. Including water and moisturiser.
I'm always flushed red on my entire face. I don't know if this is Rosacea but its annoying and there is nothing i can really do about it but put up with it.
I'm fair and can freckle -
I get pink when I drink, too. And I'm not asian. >.> The heat, cold, and exercise cause it too.
I burn really easy.
It gets super oily when I use drying products (including many powder makeups).
Benzoyl Peroxide gives me a fierce rash.
I consider my skin to be somewhat sensitive, since many products don't bother it. But when something does, it's really obvious.
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