EXPERT’S NOTEBOOK
Whether your skin is intolerant or sensitised by an immunological reaction, you need to meet its requirements by using very high tolerance and gentle products.
It’s fine, fair, often slightly dry and tends to flush easily.
It stings, feels tight, overheats...
Some dermo-cosmetic or therapeutic products contain unsuitable substances:
The skin isn’t relieved, on the contrary, it’s damaged by these unsuitable products.
Sometimes your skin reacts excessively to the slightest attack; it becomes intolerant. It stings, feels tight, turns red, flaky and itchy. In this case, you need to choose products with very few ingredients.
Allergies are caused by an immunological response (to an allergen).
On the skin, this shows up as obvious clinical signs: red patches with small eczema vesicles, severe itching, swelling and oozing sometimes accompanied by intense pruritus.
If you have experienced an allergic reaction, consult your doctor immediately; they will find out what your skin is reacting to by carrying out essential allergy tests.
“ Sensitive skin ” reacts more quickly or more strongly than normal skin,
even to the same aggressor and under similar conditions. Symptoms include unpleasant sensations
(tightness, tingling, itching, etc.) and sometimes redness or dryness.
The causes are complex. The skin is an organ that performs several functions and, therefore, there are several types
of abnormalities that can cause skin sensitivity: lesions of the horny layer that
Even when skin is sensitive, it is possible to reduce this skin sensitivity by avoiding
poorly tolerated products and replacing them with specific products
For cleansing, preferably use dermatological bars or soap-free cleansing products, to avoid
aggravating the skin. In terms of treatments, favour products with minimal ingredients to limit the
risk of reaction.
There is often confusion between sensitive skin, intolerant skin and allergy-prone skin. People who
say they are “allergic” often have very sensitive or even intolerant skin that overreacts to the
application of a number of products, local medicines or dermo-cosmetic cleansing and treatment products.
An allergy is caused by an immunological response. It results in red patches with small
eczema vesicles, severe itching, swelling and oozing sometimes accompanied by intense pruritus.
Your doctor will advise you how to choose appropriate cleansing and skincare products. Favour
products that do not contain ingredients known to be irritant or allergens and which have a
high tolerance confirmed by clinical tests.
