In 2017, the Sensitive Skin Interest Group of the International Forum redefined Sensitive Skin Syndrome.
The occurrence of this sensitive muscle is not a single factor, but a complex process related to multiple aspects such as skin barrier, neurovascular, and immune inflammation.According to the “Consensus of Experts on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Sensitive Skin in China” report, the proportion of sensitive skin in Asian women is quite high, ranging from 40% to 56%. In China, about 36.1% of women belong to the sensitive skin population.
This data means that one in every three Chinese women is suffering from sensitive muscle problems.
What is the reason behind this phenomenon? What impact does it have on women’s lives? Let’s delve into the occurrence and impact of sensitive muscles together.
Today we will start with the definition, causes and solutions of sensitive muscles, comprehensively analyze the problem of sensitive muscles for you!
Firstly, we need to understand the relationship between sensitive muscles and the skin barrier. A healthy skin barrier is like a sturdy city wall, providing protection for our skin.The skin barrier is mainly composed of the sebum membrane and the stratum corneum, which together maintain the health of the skin.However, some unhealthy skincare habits, such as excessive cleaning, lack of attention to moisturizing, frequent replacement of skincare products and insufficient sun protection can damage the skin barrier and lead to sensitive skin problems.
When the skin barrier is damaged, the brick wall structure collapses and a large amount of physiological lipids are lost between cells. At this time, timely supplementation of these lipids is crucial for repairing the skin barrier.
Research has found that intercellular physiological lipids are mainly composed of three components: ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids. Although ceramide has the highest proportion in dry weight, about 50%, the molar ratio of the three components is more critical. The optimal molar ratio is 1:1:1, which means that the ratio of ceramide, cholesterol, and free fatty acids is equal.
Only by adding these three ingredients at the same molar ratio can a clear skin barrier repair effect be exerted. If only ceramide is added, its repairing effect is relatively weak. When the molar ratio is increased to 3:1:1, its ability to repair the skin barrier is better than the addition ratio of 1:1:1. At present, it is widely recognized in the field of cosmetic dermatology that supplementing ceramides in optimized proportions is the best formula for repairing barriers.
Therefore, timely supplementation of physiological lipids is crucial for maintaining and repairing the skin barrier. When choosing skincare products, pay attention to the content and proportion of ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids in their ingredient list to ensure the best skin barrier repair effect.
So sensitive muscles need to repair the barrier in 4 steps: daily cleaning+supplementing ceramides → strengthening the barrier+deep hydration.
Step 1: Amino acid cleaning, gentle cleaning
Facial cleanser is very important for people with sensitive skin because the average pH value of the skin surface in its natural state is about 5, amino acids are weakly acidic, closer to the pH value of the human body and less irritating.
So for sensitive skin, it is necessary to choose amino acid based cleansing products that are weakly acidic and active to clean pores while moisturizing and not tightening. Amino acid facial cleanser is a “lifesaver” for allergies and skin breakouts during seasonal changes, as it not only takes care of sensitive skin and emotional redness, but also efficiently removes dirt.
Step 2: Supplement ceramides
The skin barrier of sensitive skin is damaged, the ability to lock in water is reduced, the moisture in the skin is lost quickly, so the skin will dry faster, with redness, dryness, peeling, and fine lines. As the owner of the skin, we need to find a way to give it some reinforcement, artificially replenishing its water! However, for sensitive skin with damaged barriers, while simply hydrating, adding some moisturizing ingredients to the barrier is like mixing fertilizer when watering dying crops. The fertilizer that the skin likes is ceramide.
Ceramides are known as “molecular nails” that penetrate into the crevices of the stratum corneum like nails, blocking the entry of harmful substances from the outside world. It can not only help dry, itchy and explosive skin firmly lock in moisture, but also help thicken the stratum corneum and enhance the overall skin’s tolerance.
Step 3: Strengthen the barrier
After replenishing the water be sure to reinforce the barrier!
Step 4: Periodic deep hydration repair
The more sensitive the skin, the more it needs to be deeply moisturized and repaired. Skin dehydration can significantly reduce the ability of self repair and cells may experience accelerated aging. Skin care products such as water emulsion cannot be used as deep moisturizing and repairing products and special facial mask is needed to repair. Here we have to mention a very good ingredient – panthenol (vitamin B5), panthenol has a small molecular weight, so it can effectively penetrate into the stratum corneum, moisturize the stratum corneum on the surface of the skin and play a powerful moisturizing role.
Finally, diet, daily routine and exercise should all be healthy, the skin will also improve from the inside out~
