How to recognize and soothe reactive skin?
Lucas PINOS
7 min
Summary
A ray of sunshine, a new cream, or a moment of stress, and suddenly your skin turns red, flares up, and tingles without warning. These sudden manifestations can be a sign of reactive skin. Let's discover together how to recognize reactive skin, differentiate it from sensitive skin , and how to effectively soothe this hyperreactivity on a daily basis! 😊
What is reactive skin?
Reactive skin is a temporary skin condition linked to a dysfunction of the skin barrier. Understanding this particularity is essential to properly adapt your skincare routine.
Definition and characteristics of reactive skin
Reactive skin is characterized by its tendency to react intensely to external or internal stimuli . It is a bit like the Drama Queen of the epidermis, it manifests itself through immediate and excessive reactions:
Sudden redness that appears and disappears;
Tingling or warming sensations;
Uncomfortable pulling sensations;
Temporary itching;
Burning sensation when in contact with certain products.
This hypersensitivity to certain elements can affect all skin types (dry, oily, combination). It is often more pronounced in people with fair skin.
Reactive skin vs. sensitive skin: what’s the difference?
Although often confused, reactive and sensitive skin have notable differences:
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Reactive skin shows immediate and strong signs (redness, itching, tingling) in response to a specific factor (heat, stress, etc.), experienced by the skin as an aggression.
Sensitive skin presents less intense fragility and discomfort, but is more permanent or chronic. Symptoms tend to be tightness, dryness, and discomfort.
Of course, skin can be both sensitive and reactive, or even intolerant.
What causes skin reactivity?
The cause of hyperreactive skin often stems from a weakened skin barrier that no longer adequately fulfills its protective role. As a result, external aggressions penetrate the epidermis more easily and trigger these excessive reactions.
Environmental factors and external aggressions
Our skin is constantly exposed to environmental factors and external aggressions. Reactive skin reacts instantly and visibly to these aggressions.
Here are the most common ones:
Climatic variations 🌪️: cold and wind irritate the skin and excessive heat dilates the blood vessels.
Sun exposure 🌤️: UV rays damage the skin barrier and promote redness.
Pollution and fine particles 🌫️: they cause oxidation of skin cells and damage the skin.
These attacks trigger reactions, but also contribute to weakening the protective barrier of the epidermis.
Internal and physiological factors
Internal factors also have an impact on the condition of our skin:
Hormonal imbalances : menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause can make the skin more vulnerable.
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Stress and strong emotions : These release cortisol, which weakens the skin and increases redness. This skin-emotion connection explains why you may blush during a stressful or embarrassing situation.
Genetic predisposition : Some people are born with naturally more reactive skin.
Unsuitable cosmetic products
An overly aggressive or inappropriate beauty routine can turn normal skin into reactive skin. So, we urge you to avoid:
Irritant active ingredients (alcohol, perfumes, sulfates, certain essential oils, etc.).
Exfoliating too frequently, which weakens the skin barrier.
Excessive use of anti-blemish treatments (exfoliating acids, retinol and other powerful active ingredients) which can overstimulate the skin.
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Excessive use of makeup (foundations with too much coverage, rich in silicones and perfumes, etc.) which can suffocate the skin.
What can you do to soothe reactive skin?
When faced with reactive skin, we choose the "less is more" approach to limit reactions, soothe the epidermis and rebuild its protective film. 🌿
Adopt a minimalist and soothing routine
A minimalist, soothing routine is essential for calming reactive skin . Simplicity is key. Don't overload your skin with different, potentially irritating products.
Choose products with short formulas, without perfume or alcohol. Your bathroom should look more like a Zen monastery than a cosmetics store!
Clean with extreme gentleness 🧴
Cleansing can contribute to weakening the skin barrier if not done carefully:
Choose ultra-gentle cleansers for sensitive and reactive skin, such as cleansing milks or alcohol-free micellar waters.
Avoid foaming cleansers which often contain harsh surfactants like sulfates.
Rinse with lukewarm water to limit irritation. Avoid tap water for skin that is hyperreactive to limescale and chlorine.
Pat your skin dry with a high-quality cotton or microfiber towel.
Double cleansing should be avoided if your skin is particularly sensitive. In the morning, a simple rinse with thermal water may be sufficient.
Select the right moisturizer to strengthen your skin barrier 💦
Good hydration is the key to restoring the skin's protective barrier and limiting the penetration of irritants:
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Choose treatments rich in ceramides, panthenol and niacinamide : these ingredients, with soothing and restorative properties, rebuild the skin's film.
Adapt the texture of your cream to your skin type : light fluids for combination, reactive skin and richer textures for dry, reactive skin.
Choose a hypoallergenic moisturizer : fragrance- and alcohol-free, they are often designed for sensitive, reactive or intolerant skin.
Favor soothing active ingredients 🌸
Certain ingredients are particularly beneficial for soothing the skin:
Thermal waters : rich in soothing minerals, they instantly reduce redness and discomfort.
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Moisturizing masks with oatmeal or chamomile : with soothing properties Natural, these plants quickly calm the skin.
Gentle plant oils : such as calendula or borage oil to nourish and soothe without irritating.
👉 These SOS treatments can be used during crises. Also consider Aloe Vera!
Avoid triggers
Identifying your triggers precisely will allow you to put in place an effective strategy to avoid them:
UV exposure : Apply SPF 50 sunscreen formulated for sensitive skin daily.
Mechanical aggression : avoid grain scrubs or overly vigorous brushing.
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Sudden temperature changes : Avoid overly air-conditioned environments, protect your skin when moving from a heated room to outside in winter, and use a scarf to cover your face in cold and windy weather.
Lifestyle habits to limit skin reactivity
Beyond care, changing certain lifestyle habits can permanently improve the condition of your skin.
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Favor an anti-inflammatory diet , rich in:
Omega-3 (oily fish, nuts, chia seeds).
Antioxidants (colorful fruits and vegetables).
Vitamin E (almonds, avocados, olive oil).
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Limit pro-inflammatory foods : Alcohol, caffeine, and overly spicy foods can increase redness in some people.
Stay hydrated : Drinking at least 1.5 liters of water per day helps maintain the skin's water balance and strengthens its resistance to aggression.
Managing stress : practices such as yoga, meditation or cardiac coherence can help reduce stress levels and, consequently, the reactivity of your skin.
Reactive skin is skin whose barrier has been weakened and is no longer protected. The goal of your long-term routine is to rebuild it. This is possible with the right actions and patience. Think gentleness and minimalism. And while you wait to rebuild your protective barrier, avoid triggers to limit reactions!
