Many of our members have relatively delicate skin, and our customer service frequently receives inquiries such as: “I have sensitive skin, can I use your masks?” or “Which products from Inna Organic are suitable for sensitive skin?” To address these concerns, we have decided to publish a series of articles on sensitive skin care, covering topics such as the causes of sensitive skin and its underlying principles, care methods, and how to select skincare products, with the hope that this will be helpful to all our members.
What is Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive skin refers to a skin condition that is thinner, easily irritated, and often accompanied by dryness, itching, and signs of premature aging.
The skin is composed of three main layers: the epidermis, basal layer, and dermis. The outermost part of the epidermis includes the sebum film and the stratum corneum:
– Sebum film: The skin’s natural oil-water barrier, which protects against bacterial invasion and helps retain moisture.
– Stratum Corneum: Consists of 15-20 layers of dead cells (cells without nuclei) that undergo a natural renewal cycle of approximately 28 days. These cells contain keratin, a protein that helps minimize water loss and even absorb moisture, keeping the skin hydrated. The wrinkling effect that occurs after prolonged water exposure results from keratin absorbing water to the point of saturation.
Note: According to Wikipedia, keratin is a type of scleroprotein and the primary component of the skin’s stratum corneum, as well as hair and nails. Keratin monomers assemble into intermediate filaments, giving them rigid and insoluble properties. A biologically similar tough substance is chitin. Additionally, keratinocytes in the epidermal keratinized layer contain abundant keratin fibers.
Sensitive skin is often associated with a damaged or thin sebum film, which fails to adequately protect the stratum corneum. As a result, the skin’s ability to retain moisture is compromised, leading to dryness, itching, and the formation of fine lines. Furthermore, a weakened sebum film reduces the skin’s natural defense, making it more susceptible to external irritants. For instance, fluctuations in weather, friction, or a weakened overall condition may trigger symptoms such as itching and uneven redness.
What's the Difference Between Sensitive Skin and Allergic Skin?
Dryness, itching, flaking, and redness are common symptoms of sensitive skin that may resemble allergy-related reactions. However, the underlying causes and appropriate care methods differ between sensitive and allergic skin.
Let’s first explore the differences between the two:
Sensitive Skin
Allergic Skin
Thin, fragile skin that is easily irritated and prone to uneven redness.
Characterized by inflammatory reactions such as redness, swelling, itching, and pain, which subside once allergens are removed and appropriate treatment is applied.
Can be improved with proper skincare to help repair the damaged stratum corneum.
Recommended to consult a dermatologist for professional treatment.
Focuses on moisturizing and repairing the sebum layer.
Focuses on avoiding allergens and using anti-allergy medications.
Sensitive skin is a skin condition, similar to terms like oily or dry skin, indicating that the skin is in a long-term state of fragility and susceptibility to irritation. It requires care to restore the skin to a healthy state for improvement. On the other hand, an allergy is a response triggered by the immune system when the skin is exposed to allergens—it is a symptom that requires medical treatment to alleviate but is difficult to fully cure. The best approach is to avoid allergens to prevent recurrence.
However, sensitive skin and allergic skin are closely related. Due to its fragility and susceptibility to irritation from external factors, sensitive skin can develop allergic reactions if exposed to specific allergens over time without proper soothing and repair, leading to cellular memory and potential allergic skin issues.
Is your skin in a constant unstable state?
“Unstable skin condition” is the primary issue for sensitive skin, with allergic reactions being the most severe manifestation. The fragile sebum film and stratum corneum make it difficult for sensitive skin to maintain an oil-water balance, often resulting in dryness and flaking, occasional breakouts, and even a combination of peeling and oiliness.
Therefore, those with sensitive skin should pay special attention to the following:
– You may be experiencing excessive dryness due to overly nourishing products or using too many skincare ingredients, which can place an unnecessary burden on your skin.
– You may be producing excess oil and developing acne, which could lead to over-cleansing (e.g., washing your face too frequently) or using too many oil-control products, ultimately disrupting the skin’s natural oil balance.
The key points of care for individuals with sensitive skin are using gentle skincare methods, repairing damaged skin, strengthening the health of the sebum film and stratum corneum, and restoring the skin’s natural defense capabilities.
What's the Difference Between Fragile Skin and Sensitive Skin?
“Fragile skin” refers to a condition where the skin becomes compromised, which may be an early sign of sensitive skin, such as thinning skin and mild redness, or skin that experiences issues similar to sensitive skin during certain times (e.g., seasonal changes). In addition to damage caused by improper care, aging skin can also become thinner and, like sensitive skin, requires extra soothing and restorative care.
