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Shopping for Sensitive Skin: A Guide for the Acne and Rosace |
by:
Naweko San-Joyz |
Acne and rosacea patients
take note- you must know about proper skin-care and cosmetic usage
to successfully manage your sensitive skin. This is the counsel
of Dr. Diane Berson, who runs a dermatology practice in New York
City.
A critical step in reducing skin sensitivity is understanding
the importance of the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum is
the outermost layer of the skin and is composed of dead, flat
skin cells held together by the protein keratin. This skin barrier
prevents molecules from passing into and out of the skin and thereby
protects the lower layers of skin while reducing skin sensitivity.
Healthy, uninjured skin is more effective at preventing skin irritations
that may result from using cosmetics and skin care products. Individuals
with altered nerve endings or more neurotransmitters under their
skin are more susceptible to minor skin irritants in cosmetics
and skin care products. When the skin is excessively dry or damaged,
it cannot adequately protect these nerve endings. Sound moisturizing
and a strong immune system help minimize possible skin irritants.
Some of Dr. Berson’s recommendations for caring for sensitive
skin include:
Selecting mild cleansers.
Use mild cleansing agents that have synthetic detergents or lipid-free
cleansers. Resist using abrasive cleansers since they can cause
microscopic tears in the skin and damage the protective layers
of the skin.
Rosacea patients should not use alcohol-based products such as
toners or astringents.
Acne patients will benefit from toners that contain salicylic
acid or alpha hydroxy acid. However, when starting a retinoid
treatment, temporarily discontinue using a toner or astringent
since the combination may make the retinoid more irritating. Acne
patients must also limit or abstain from excessively rough cleansing
and washing. Julie Harper, M.D., who directs a clinic to treat
acne at the University of Alabama at Birmingham laments, "Teenagers
think they have acne because they do not wash enough, but usually
they are washing too often with harsh scrubs that make their symptoms
worse."
Using moisturizers.
Tracy L. Grosick, a key skin care product researcher with Procter
& Gamble, Cincinnati says that when the skin’s moisture barrier
is intact, it helps the skin to combat environmental attacks that
are encountered on a daily basis. When acne and rosacea patients
are using treatments that dry the skin, moisturizers may improve
the skin’s barrier function. Dr. Benson recommends using moisturizers
with the least amount of ingredients.
Rosacea patients should choose a moisturizer with only glycerin,
petrolatum, or aloe vera, which might be anti-inflammatory.
Acne patients should also stick with products containing the least
amount of ingredients.
Using noncomedogenic sunscreens.
Rosacea patients need to use a physical-blocking products containing
zinc oxide or titanium dioxide because these ingredients will
not irritate red, inflamed skin and will provide optimal protection.
Acne patients with oily skin should use noncomedogenic, non-pore
clogging, products. Select an alcohol-based or gel-based sunscreen.
Preservatives.
The best preservatives for sensitive skin are those containing
parabens like methyl paraben and butyl paraben.
The key to keeping sensitive skin less susceptible to irritation
is ensuring the integrity of your stratum corneum, the skin’s
primary defensive barrier. You can start by using a minimalist
moisturizer, and noncomedogenic sunscreen.
Sources:
American Academy of Dermatology (Newswise.com)
Dermatology Times. Patricia Reiman. Alleviating sensitivity: Study
finds moisturizers with niacinamide make skin more resilient.
March 1, 2004
Dermatology Times. Cheryl Guttman. Sensitive skin valid patient
problem. May 1, 2002.
E Skin and Allergy News. Timothy F. Kirn. Lifestyle, Cosmetics
Integral to Acne, Rosacea Tx. August 2003.
About the Author
Naweko San-Joyz writes health and beauty articles from her
home in San Diego. She recently published “Acne Messages: Crack
the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne” (ISBN: 0974912204).
Naweko is presently working on title called “Skinny Fat Girls,
Why we’re still not getting this diet thing” (ISBN: 0974912212)
for release in May of 2005. To challenge and verify her research,
San-Joyz trains for figure competitions.
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