Skin. It’s a pretty magical thing. An organ with three basic layers, providing a multitude of different services to the body.
To begin with, the outermost layer, the epidermis, is waterproof. This is particularly useful when going for a swim so your body doesn’t act like a giant sponge. Water isn’t the only thing it’s keeping out though. The epidermis is blocking all sorts of nasty foreign objects, such as; bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, heat and ultraviolet rays. Think of it as the body’s security guard.
The next layer down is the dermis. This layer keeps real busy, acting as connective tissue, providing the strength and elasticity, which helps to protect the body from stress and strain. It’s the dermis that contains the receptors that let you know about pressure, pain or heat. Next time you touch that hot pan, thank your dermis. This productive layer also serves as a factory, producing sweat, oil and growing hair.
Finally, the third and deepest layer of the skin is the hypodermis. This section of subcutaneous tissue is technically not skin but it provides the skin with nerves and blood supply, as well as connecting the skin with your bones and muscles.
If you take anything away from that little journey through the layers of the skin it should be that your skin is not only important but it is also complex. External and internal pressures can leave your skin feeling sensitive, with the vast majority of people reporting some level of skin sensitivity. Now, skin sensitivity isn’t necessarily dangerous but if you have suffered it, or are experiencing it, then you know just how uncomfortable it can be. The good news is, there are products available which can help improve the resilience of your skin and minimise discomfort.
One such brand is Cetaphil. Their first product, created over 70 years ago, Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion, was created in collaboration with dermatologists and provided a fragrance free, soap free choice for people with sensitive skin. Over this 70 year period, Cetaphil have established 5 signs of sensitivity when it comes to skin and their products are designed to address the following:
-
Dryness
Dry skin results in an ineffective seal to trap moisture. As a result skin will become dehydrated and flake.
Cetaphil’s solution
Ingredients like glycerin and shea butter help to strengthen the skin, creating a barrier to better retain moisture. Cetaphil’s products are able to effectively hydrate the skin, without causing irritation.
-
Irritation
External elements like cold weather or skin care products with harsh ingredients can cause sensitive skin to react in the form of redness, itching, burning or stinging.
Cetaphil’s solution
Only gentle and soothing ingredients are used in Cetalphil’s products, making them a recommended choice for dermatologists when treating sensitive skin. Rather than contributing to sensitivity, Cetaphil’s products counteract external threats that might cause irritation.
-
Roughness
Skin regularly sheds its surface layer. In fact, we humans shed around 500 million skin cells each day. This process helps to keep the surface layer of our skin smooth and healthy looking. However, this process can be disrupted, resulting in patchy, dry and flaky skin.
Cetaphil’s solution
Cetaphil’s cleansers and moisturisers can help to smooth roughness by providing a gentle exfoliation, which helps to strengthen the skin. By not including any harsh ingredients, no greater irritation is caused.
-
Tightness
When skin is dehydrated it begins to lose its elasticity. This is why after you have been sunburnt your skin gets that tense, stretched feeling. Cetaphil’s own research has found that nearly 98% of people who identify as having sensitive skin report that they feel this sensation.
Cetaphil’s solution
Hydrating cleansers or moisturisers help to restore elasticity and limit dryness. This will go a long way to limiting the sensation of tightness.
-
Skin Moisture Barrier
As mentioned earlier, skin is a two way barrier. It’s working to keep moisture in but it’s also heroically trying to keep nasty irritants out. Any damage to the skin barrier makes the skin less effective in these roles and leaves it vulnerable to skin sensitivity issues.
Cetaphil’s solution
Restoring the skin barrier is key. All of Cetaphil’s products achieve this by hydrating the skin with ingredients rich in skin-essential vitamins and devoid of harsh ingredients that can actually strip moisture from the skin and worsen skin sensitivity.
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms of sensitive skin, such as; dryness, irritation, roughness or tightness, here are a few specific tips on how to protect your skin with the help of Cetaphil:
-
Cleanse
Removing substances that may have built up on your skin, such as; dirt, excess oil or makeup is important but it is also important that the skin’s moisture is not stripped in this process. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser or Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser is soap-free and fragrance-free, making it an ideal cleanser for those with sensitive skin. Becarful not to over-wash, as this can contribute to greater skin irritation.
-
Moisturise
Not only will your skin feel softer and smoother as a result of moisturising, it can actually help to restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion, Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturiser with SPF15 and Cetaphil PRO DermaControl Oil Absorbing Moisturiser contain ingredients that give back to your skin’s moisture levels, without stripping any of it away.
-
Sunscreen Daily
Rather than saving sunscreen for those more extreme moments of sun exposure, choose one of Cetaphil’s moisturisers with SPF to use daily. This is because the regular wearing of facial sunscreen has been shown to actively help sensitive skin. Prevention is certainly better than a cure, so create that protective barrier daily.
-
Avoid Harsh Exfoliation
The act of exfoliating is an important process. Not only are you helping to remove all those dead skin cells, it can also help to remove any other unwanted irritants that may have settled on your skin throughout the day. However, if your skin is already sensitive, exfoliation may actually contribute to irritation by stripping further moisture and layers of protection. A product like Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub can exfoliate effectively, whilst protecting sensitive skin from further irritation.
As you have probably picked up by now, moisture is key to healthy skin. All of Cetaphil’s products help to promote healthy skin by hydrating effectively and can be a great support if suffering from the signs of sensitive skin.
