Sensitive Skin, Four Types

Sensitive skin affects millions of people, but the exact definition varies depending on who you ask. Dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD, FAAD, director of the University of Miami's Cosmetic Medicine & Research Institute and professor of dermatology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, reports that in her practice up to 50 percent of patients have some form of sensitive skin. According to Dr. Baumann, there are four distinct types of sensitive skin — acne, rosacea, burning and stinging, and contact dermatitis (allergies and irritants) — and they all have one characteristic in common: inflammation.

Skin care products marketed for sensitive skin do not specify for which type of sensitive  skin they work best — such as acne or rosacea.

         For example, a product for an acne patient is very different from a product for a rosacea patient. But, both products will be labeled for use with sensitive skin.

         Manufacturers of skin care products cannot make any specific drug claims for treating conditions such as acne or rosacea. Therefore, "sensitive skin" has become a "catch-all" category for these products.

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Acne Skin, how to care for it

Acne occurs in teenagers as well as adults and is a chronic skin condition. For teenagers this condition can be overwhelming and stressful and is often due to stress, genetics and a poor skin care regimen. For adults the number one cause of acne is from stress. Acne is a result of high levels of bacteria, increased oil production and dead skin cells clogging your pores.

Regular facials are recommended to help clean the skin as well as perform extractions and kill the bacteria with a high-frequency machine. Part of the skin care treatment both at the office and at home should include: a cleanser and toner or astringent with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and sulfur. Additionally, it is imperative that those with acne skin use a moisturizer, sometimes this requires two; one for the oily areas since you are lacking water and another for the drier areas on the face from your acne products.

Things to avoid with acne skin: coconut oil and avocado oil are two pore clogging oils found in hair and other skin care products. If your hair care products contain these ingredients, wash your face after you shower. A diet high in sugar and dairy and stress will exacerbate your skin condition.

Don't pick at your acne, this will cause scarring. Also don't wear makeup if you are going to the gym or will be participating in a sport that will cause you to sweat as this will clog your pores as well.

A few calming ingredients include sulfur, licorice and green tea extracts.

Healthy Glowing Skin

Sulfur residue foods have been known to give skin a healthy, vibrant glow. Sulfur is referred to as the "beauty mineral", which gives skin its' smoothness and shine. Sulfur aids in the digestion of fats, controls the metabolism of carbohydrates and rids the body of waste that may clog pores, thus causing a lackluster complexion. 

Sulfur is found in aloe vera, arugula, cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower) mustard, radishes, ripe bell peppers, ripe hot peppers, spirulina, hempseeds, onions, garlic and watercress.

Signs of sulfur deficiency include: acne, arthritis, brittle hair and nails, gastro-intestinal challenges, immune dysfunction, wrinkling, rashes, scar tissue and pale, pasty complexion.

Acne skin treatments

If you, or someone you know has mild to moderate acne here are a few suggestions for home-remedies, to help control this annoying skin condition.

You are what you eat. You've probably heard this before and it's still true. Both inside and out. You can also use fruits and vegetables, and some herbs as the core products for skin treatment. 

A natural sweetener, honey also disinfects, and promotes tissue regeneration for skin lesions. If you use a honey-based masque twice per week, this will aid in keeping acne under control. 

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables reduces the toxin level in the body as well as being more consistent cleaning of the skin. Citrus juice are used in peels for the skin, also great for oily/combination skin. A smoother treatment, Almond oil helps minimize scarring on the skin and tea tree oil is also a natural disinfectant. A more common known plant, Aloe vera, also tomatoes and cucumbers are also beneficial for the skin, from the outside. 

Remember to drink plenty of water or clear juices to stay hydrated as well as cleanse the body of toxins. 

One more treatment, this one for red or inflamed skin, use hot and cold compresses. The cold compress reduces swelling and the hot dilates the pores to allow for elimination of clogging residues.