Be awash with good advice..

Stewart Long, CEO of Cutest The Skin Specialists, and Oodee.com consultant, revealed why exactly we have sensitive skin and what are the best ways of managing it.

He said, “If your skin is reactive and you’re prone to redness, tightness or stinging, we would describe this as sensitive skin and there’s a whole host of reasons that could be causing it.

“Trying a new skincare product can often trigger a reaction – and the weather is also a key factor, especially when it’s cold and windy. Some people may have an allergy to a certain metal in the jewellery they’re wearing which can also cause irritation.

“There is no single definition or cause for sensitive skin. If you fall into this category, you won’t have an extreme skin condition, it’s more a case that your skin reacts to factors in a way that causes discomfort.”

So what are his top tips and advice?

1. STAY CAUTIOUS

“Retinol has become a trending ingredient, but it’s one to apply with caution. Most brands that use it in their products will advise consumers to use a small amount every third or fourth day, and slowly build it up so your skin becomes more tolerant.

“Fragrances are another major reason for sensitivity. The cause can be allergenistic, as you can develop allergic reactions from anything natural such as plants and oils; and it can also be down to certain chemicals within the ingredients.

2. WATCH OUT FOR PRESERVATIVES

“There’s been a big movement in the skincare industry with the use of preservatives.

“Previously, parabens were the main choice in formulations, but after a select few were considered unsafe, this then led to a misconception that all parabens must be eliminated from skincare.

“The industry now uses alternative preservatives like potassium sorbate, which has resulted in there being greater potential to trigger skin sensitivity as formulators are still getting used to these alternatives. That’s why it’s crucial to do patch tests with new products to ensure inclusion levels are correct.

“Given that sensitive skin is on the rise and can surface in many different ways, it’s almost impossible that someone won’t react to a product – so patch tests are incredibly important for brand and consumer protection.

“There’s no requirement that brands should do patch tests before putting products to market, but it gives them the chance to test and reformulate if necessary, and ultimately have peace of mind when putting a product on the shelves.

3. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HYPOALLERGENIC AND ALLERGEN NEUTRAL?

Hypoallergenic is essentially a marketing term that’s almost impossible to test for. It can be misinforming to a consumer as it indicates a product to be calming and sensitive without causing irritation. However, ‘hypo’ means less, so it should only really be used in comparison to something else, i.e. one product is less allergenic than another.

“Allergen neutral however is more clear and useful when it comes to describing skincare.

“It’s about being as comprehensive as possible and indicates that the brand has dug deep into every single ingredient to trace any potential contaminants.

“It’s not about saying chemicals are bad and naturals are good, because everything is a chemical – it’s about being as transparent as possible.

3. YOU COULD BECOME ALLERGIC TO EVEN YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCTS

“If you’re continually exposed to something with allergic potential, then you may find that over months or years your immune system can respond in a way that causes discomfort such as stinging, burning and itchiness.

“For example, reports are now showing that people are becoming more reactive to hair dyes following COVID-19 as our immune system may have changed during this time.

“Ideally, you want to look for oil-rich, moisturising products that contain soothing ingredients to naturally calm down any reactions.”