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The Sensitive Skin: Do’s and Don’ts

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Skin Diseases in Females

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Abstract

Sensitive skin is characterized by abnormal and unpleasant sensations of burning, tingling, smarting or pricking, sometimes accompanied with redness, tightness or dryness of skin, after coming in contact with routinely used skin products or cosmetics. Syndet bar use leads to minimal or no skin irritation along with preservation of cutaneous protein, natural moisturizing factor and lipid content. Combination skin care regime, i.e., use of micellar water cleanser in morning, non-tinted cream with sunscreen in afternoon and serum in night, can help in reduction of sensitivity. Non-foaming cleansers are preferred choice in sensitive skin. Specially formulated anti-ageing creams containing sodium salicylates (1%), polyhydroxy and bionic acids are preferred in sensitive skin. Even the botanical or “natural” products can cause or precipitate sensitive skin symptoms. Powder-based cosmetics are safer in sensitive skin. Water soluble cosmetics with inert, hypoallergic, fragrance free, pure ingredients, specially formulated for sensitive skin should be used. Sunscreen with microfine zinc oxide or titanium oxide is preferred due to their inert and non-irritant nature. Nail polish with toluenesulfonamide-formaldehyde resin should be avoided. Individuals with sensitive or very sensitive skin may have impaired self-perception of social, physical and mental health. So, persistent symptoms may warrant psychological evaluation and counselling.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Senior Specialist & Professor, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS) & Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India

    Surabhi Sinha

  2. Department of Dermatology, Central Hospital, North Western Railway, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

    Neha Meena

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  1. Surabhi Sinha
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  2. Neha Meena
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Lady Hardinge Medical College and associated SSK and KSC Hospitals, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg, New Delhi, India

    Rashmi Sarkar

  2. Senior Specialist & Professor, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS) & Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India

    Surabhi Sinha

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Sinha, S., Meena, N. (2022). The Sensitive Skin: Do’s and Don’ts. In: Sarkar, R., Sinha, S. (eds) Skin Diseases in Females. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6065-8_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6065-8_21

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