There are a number of factors that can contribute to sensitive skin, both genetic and external. Kris Campbell, CEO and founder of Hale & Hush, shares a more in-depth look at what might be causing sensitive skin in clients today:
- HORMONES: Changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle and menopause have been suggested among the stimuli triggering sensitive skin. Also, a lack of hormones or too many can cause issues that affect skin like endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome.
- SKIN ALLERGIES: Skin allergies can be chronic or temporary, random or seasonal, and internally or externally caused. Common irritants include cosmetic and personal care ingredients (both natural and artificial), medication, animals, the environment (dust, greenery), foods, and mold.
- STRESS: Stress causes many conditions to show up on the skin and even triggers flare-ups of others on the skin, including acne, rashes, rosacea, premature aging, shingles, eczema, herpes, and psoriasis.
- AGING: Aging can cause dryness, fragility, vascular issues (bruising varicose veins), wrinkles, poor or slow healing, and discoloration.
- COSMETIC INTOLERANCE SYNDROME: Cosmetic intolerance syndrome is when one suddenly exhibits sensitive skin without a prior history, due to excessively strong ingredients, too frequent washings or harsh cleaning techniques, reactive ingredients when two products are used, and too much exfoliation, causing micro-tears that expose skin to infection.
- ENVIRONMENT: The harmful effects of indoor and outdoor environments (air pollution, UVA/UVB, chemicals, etc.) are extensive, such as dryness, premature aging, skin rashes, eczema, poor or slow healing, acne, and potentially disease.
- LACK OF SLEEP: A minimum of seven to eight hours are needed per night for health and skin benefits. Limited sleep can result in skin issues.
- HEALTH CHALLENGES: People with health challenges can experience various issues caused by disease or the medications and treatments used.
- DIET: What is put into the body can show up on the skin, causing direct reactions and changing how one might react to other topicals. Some common stimulating foods and drinks include caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, food allergens (soy, gluten, dairy, etc), and highly processed foods.
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