Understand my skin

Why is my skin so sensitive all of a sudden? All you need to know about external aggressions

The number one enemy for sensitive skin is all the aggressive factors that little by little disrupt its balance. Our skin is our first defence system against numerous irritants. Every day, we put makeup on our face, live and work in an environment that is ever more polluted and contend with the impurities our own bodies produce naturally. A well-chosen face cleanser for sensitive skin is essential for maintaining the skin’s balance and limiting the classic ways in which sensitive skin shows itself.

Whereas before sensitive skin used to be something marginal, it has slowly but surely spread throughout the world. It was underestimated for quite some time since having sensitive skin starts with a sensation, which is obviously subjective. And yet the feeling of discomfort is legitimate and goes beyond skin that feels tight, tingles, burns and itches.

All these signs are triggered by numerous factors, which normally shouldn’t have any effect on the skin unless the skin barrier is overwhelmed by the number of irritants and their non-stop onslaught. Worldwide, sensitive skin syndrome affects 60% to 70% of women and 50% to 60% of men.

Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, Dermatologist - Canada.

Sensitive skin can affect anybody, but it is more common in women and patients who have a pre-existing skin condition like atopic eczema, rosacea and other forms of dermatitis.

Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, Dermatologist - Canada.

Skin is the body’s largest organ. It’s our natural barrier between ourselves and the world around us. However, it is not impenetrable. On the contrary, multiple exchanges occur at skin level: water loss, sebum, flaking skin… It’s this relative permeability that also makes it possible for care products to be effective!

Usually, skin is designed to withstand occasional irritants from the surroundings. Why does sensitive skin overreact to everything? First, because the skin's barrier doesn’t correctly fulfil its role. And yet, from birth and throughout our life, skin is our first line of defence, protecting us against potential threats, which are numerous. Each day, our skin, and our face, in particular, accumulates all kinds of dirt. The skin has biological protection systems, but they can be insufficient or weakened since the changes in our modern environment have led to an increase in all types of pollution. Today, the skin's ecosystem has a much harder time keeping its natural balance.

Some cosmetics contain ingredients that are harmful for skin over the long term. Included are mineral oils and silicones, which can obstruct the skin’s pores and smother it bit by bit. It’s important to keep an eye on product composition for both makeup and skin care. Removing makeup every night is obviously compulsory, as long as the method used respects the skin’s balance.

This is a real public health problem, recognised by the World Health Organization. Indoors and outdoors, air is full of ambient pollutants, which are found in skin and hair: dust, fine and ultra fine particles (exhaust gas, combustion heating, cigarette smoke…), heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic…), gaseous pollutants (ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide…), volatile organic compounds (exuded by plastic, carpet, paint, furniture…), without forgetting pollen, potentially highly allergenic. All of these invisible enemies have a direct impact on skin.

Atmospheric pollution impacts sensitive skin

These come from the skin’s own metabolism: sweat, dead cells tied to flaking skin, sebum… These impurities can alter the skin’s normal biological functioning. It is therefore essential to cleanse skin.

Impurities can alter the skin’s functioning

Composition varies according to location. Overall, tap water tends to be full of bacteria, calcium deposits and other residues that are potentially irritating for the epidermis. It can therefore provoke skin irritations and reactions, especially if the skin's barrier is weakened. This should be taken into account when choosing a face cleanser for sensitive skin.

The Covid-19 pandemic introduced a new irritant for skin. Wearing a mask is obviously essential for protecting ourselves and others from contagion. But it frequently produces new skin problems. ‘Maskne’ refers to acne that is tied to wearing a mask, with spots located on the bottom half of the face. People with sensitive skin have noticed other effects: irritation, redness, itching, stinging and sometimes even flare-ups of eczema. Here, too, washing your face is critical to restoring skin to health.

Dr Michèle Sayag, Allergist - BIODERMA.

Wearing a mask generates occlusion and maceration of skin, which exacerbates irritation caused by friction produced by the mask. It creates a hot and humid environment favourable to the production of sebum and the appearance of spots (acne or inflammatory lesions).

Dr Michèle Sayag, Allergist - BIODERMA.

A vicious circle for sensitive skin

The different aggressive factors generate free radicals, which create constant oxidative stress and overwhelm the skin’s own ability to defend itself. This oxidative stress then generates harmful particles responsible for changes in the skin’s barrier. Redness, irritation, stinging and itching all appear, all signs of inflammation, which further increases oxidative stress. The real vicious circle that exacerbates skin irritation and all the symptoms of sensitive skin has settled in.

Removing make-up is no longer enough

Changes in environmental conditions have a direct consequence on daily skin hygiene, which now takes on another dimension: fighting against pollution and its effects. Cleansing skin must prevent pollutants of all types from penetrating it, as they can damage skin's natural barrier function. Cleaning is therefore a major concern in terms of limiting pollution's biological effects, to avoid excessive sensitizing of the skin.

Specific skincare for sensitive skin & more than simple cleansing, Sensibio H2O is uncompromising on effectiveness and tolerance, and the 1^st procedure that provides lasting care for the skin. A broad-spectrum cleanser that is specifically formulated for sensitive, reactive and intolerant skin's daily hygiene, Sensibio H2O restores healthy skin's natural purity. Morning and evening, it soothes and cleans the skin deeply, even the finest particulates, while respecting skin's natural protective film. To neutralize skin pollutants and restore balance in the skin's natural protective functions, Sensibio H2O benefits from a unique art of formulation. Thanks to ecobiology, it allows the skin to better resist environmental stresses in a lasting way.

Sensibio H2O is now the market leader in its category and is widely recommended -- first of all in the dermatological and pharmaceutical field, and also in the artistic field.

More than simple cleansing, Sensibio H2O :

Relieves the skin from pollution, as it eliminates 98% of fine particles and 78% of heavy metals,
Soothes and cleans the skin deeply, even the finest particulates, while respecting skin’s natural protective film,
Restore balance in the skin’s natural protective functions, Sensibio H2O benefits from a unique art of formulation: thanks to ecobiology, it allows the skin to better resist environmental stresses in a lasting way.

Softly removes make-up thanks to its mild surfactant
Has a unique formula that contains only skin-friendly elements
Relieves the skin from pollution: eliminates 98% of fine particles and 78% of heavy metals
Respects the skin's natural barrier
Soothes even extra-sensitive skins
Provides an instant feeling of freshness
Leaves no sticky or oily film

Use our micellar water every morning and night, on a daily basis
On a cotton pad, apply a few drops of Sensibio H2O
Delicately cleanse away first the area around your eyes, then the rest of your face
Carry on until the cotton pad comes out clear
You may also wipe your face with a clean towel

Whether your skin is sensitive, oily, reactive, intolerant, dehydrated, or under treatment after cosmetic surgery, you can choose between a large array of products suited to your needs