What is extra sensitive skin?
First of all, it is important to realize that sensitive skin is not a medical condition. Sensitive skin means that your skin cannot tolerate the (regular) use certain cosmetic products.
If you can use most cosmetic products, you do not have extra sensitive skin.
Extra sensitive skin is skin that is out of balance. You will notice this, for example, by red spots, a rash or a tight feeling. These symptoms can appear on the face as well as on the whole body.
One of the most important functions of the skin is the barrier function: protecting the body against external influences, such as harmful components, dirt, radiation and micro-organisms. The skin must therefore "decide" which substances or stimuli are allowed and which are not. Extra sensitive skin is no longer able to make this selection. The defence mechanism of the skin is disrupted, and therefore has a lower resistance to irritants. As a result, the top layer of the skin becomes very porous, allowing external stimuli to penetrate easily. As compensation, the skin will protect itself by hardening, resulting in irritated and often rough skin.
Test for extra sensitive skin
If you think you have extra sensitive skin, you can perform the ROAT test. "ROAT" stands for "Repeated Open Application Test" and you perform this as follows:
Applying cosmetic product
Apply the product to a 5 × 5 cm area of skin that has not been exposed to the sun recently. For example, on the inside of the forearm or elbow, side of the neck or behind the ear. If it is a cleansing product or shampoo, wash it off after one minute.
Twice a week for 2 weeks
Apply the product to the same place twice a week for 2 weeks.
Check the response
If the skin in this area becomes irritated, discontinue the test and do not use this product again. If irritation persists for more than 2-4 days, consult a doctor or dermatologist.
