See Whats Going To Your Skin

A formal definition of sensitive skin does not exist, even though it affects more than half of women, a third of men, and accounts for huge sales of cosmetics and skin care products. Furthermore, the biological basis of sensitive skin remains poorly understood and so the true scale of the problem remains unknown.

The French healthy skin research center, CE.R.I.E.S., recently performed two studies that explored the symptoms and causes of self-reported sensitive skin. The results -- and those of their ongoing research -- should help educate about this common complaint and lead to products tailored more accurately to different types of skin sensitivity.

In the first study, investigators interviewed 319 women, ages 20 to 50. Of these, 90% reported having sensitive skin; 32% somewhat sensitive; 32% sensitive; and 32% very sensitive. The interviews revealed a wide variety of symptoms and causes such as:

* 57% reported experiencing reddening.

* 37% reported a sensation of tightness.

* 35% reported dryness.

* 26% reported developing blemishes.

* 12% reported a stinging sensation.

* 9% reported dandruff.

* 6% reported scaling.

* 6% reported burning sensations.

* 4% reported itching.

"The results confirm that certain symptoms of sensitive skin, including stinging, burning and tightness, are subjective and may not be accompanied by visible signs," said Dr. Frederique Morizot, head of the clinical unit at CE.R.I.E.S.

Women reported reacting to a wide variety of triggers which broke down into four broad categories. First, many women reported skin reactions following contact with certain chemicals, including: some cosmetics (25%); hard or chlorinated water (17%); and soap and detergents (11%). Another 3% reported reactions caused by touching and rubbing the skin. Second, most women found that certain environmental factors triggered symptoms of skin sensitivity. Cold weather and wind were the most common environmental triggers, reported by half those interviewed. Heat (18%), rapid temperature changes (5%), and pollution (5%) were also implicated. Third, lifestyle also plays a role. Fourteen percent of women reported that stress and emotion may trigger skin reactions, while 12% blamed diet and alcohol. Finally, 7% reported that their menstrual cycle influenced skin's sensitivity. According to Dr. Morizot, "Relatively few conventional assessments of sensitive skin account for environmental, lifestyle and hormonal factors."

In a second study, CE.R.I.E.S. scientists interviewed 255 healthy women ages 20 to 70 who said that they suffered from sensitive skin. Again, reddening emerged as the most common symptom, reported by 70% of the women. Less common symptoms included a feeling of tightness (70%), blemishes (27%), dandruff (23%), scaling (22%), stinging (17%), itching (11%), and burning (10%).

The studies suggested that there are four broad types of sensitive skin:

* Type 1: characterized by reddening associated with diet or alcohol, stress or emotion, or rapid temperature changes.

* Type 2: characterized by reddening, scaling, and a sensation of tightness associated with cold weather, wind, and air conditioning.

* Type 3: characterized be reddening, a sensation of tightness, stinging, and blemishes associated with certain cosmetics, as well as soap and water.

* Type 4: characterized by an outbreak of blemishes associated with the menstrual cycle.