If your skin seems more sensitive to skin care products than you'd like, you're not alone. Manhattan dermatologist Dennis Gross says in "Marie Claire" magazine that his patients with sensitive skin and skin irritation issues have increased by 50 percent over the last three years, in large part because of skin care product use.
Identification
If your skin is easily inflamed and tends to get red and itchy, you have sensitive skin, which is naturally prone to irritation from skin care products, explains Julia Scirrotto of "Marie Claire" magazine. Some people have naturally sensitive skin, but others develop sensitive skin as they get older or through overuse of strong skin care products. People who have skin conditions such as rosacea or eczema are also more likely to get skin irritation from using products.
Types
There are two distinct types of irritation that can be caused by skin care products, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when your skin is too dry or damaged to protect itself from the active ingredients in skin care products. Your skin may turn red, sting, burn or itch when you have irritant contact dermatitis. In allergic contact dermatitis, your skin is irritated because you are allergic to a particular ingredient in a skin care product. Your skin may turn red, swell up, itch and form blisters if your irritation is caused by allergies.
Features
Some ingredients are more likely to cause skin irritation than others. Fragrances and preservatives are the ingredients most likely to cause allergic reactions, while retinol, alpha-hydroxy acids and benzoyl peroxide are the ingredients most likely to cause contact dermatitis, notes the American Academy of Dermatology.
Prevention/Solution
Pare down your skin care routine to a mild cleanser, unscented moisturizer and oil-free sunscreen to reduce irritation, then add one new product at a time as you need to, recommends Gross in "Marie Claire." Be cautious about combining products with powerful ingredients, like retinol, benzoyl peroxide or alpha-hydroxy acid. And be sure to give your skin a few weeks to recover after intense exfoliation or microdermabrasion sessions because your skin is more sensitive after these types of treatments, says Arkansas-based dermatologist Sandy Johnson in "Marie Claire."
Expert Insight
If your skin is sensitive to certain products, be cautious when trying a new skin care treatment. Test one new product at a time by applying the product to the side of your neck for three nights in a row before using it on your face, recommends Linda Wells, editor in chief of "Allure" magazine. This way, you can hide any reaction with your hair or a scarf.
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