MBG Lifestyle posted "How Collagen Powder Can Support Sensitive Skin From The Inside Out" featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel.
Sensitive skin is hard to define, but you know it if you have it. Most people who identify as having sensitive skin say it's "easily irritated." As board-certified dermatologist Purvisha Patel, M.D., has previously explained to us: "Sensitive skin is characterized by skin that is not able to tolerate harsh conditions, chemicals, environments, or even diets." This list can also include issues like stress, allergies, rough fabrics, and, well, the list goes on.
A few of the items on the list likely stick out as being timely right now, no? If your sensitive skin feels a bit more sensitive lately, there are a lot of reasons it may be happening—luckily, you can help treat it internally.
If you have sensitive skin, you may be experiencing more flare-ups right now.
Even if sensitive skin is hard to define (even the derm community has its disagreements), one of the throughlines is a compromised skin barrier function. When your skin barrier is weak, it allows aggressors to more easily penetrate the skin, causing irritation.
And a few of those aggressors might be even more common right now:
Stress. Because the stress hormone, cortisol, causes inflammation throughout the body, it's common for that inflammation to show up in the skin. For some, that means a duller complexion; for others, it means acne breakouts, but if you have sensitive skin, it likely means a redness flare-up.
Strong cleaners. We are all likely using more antibacterial cleaners (for home and on our bodies) than we would feel comfortable using otherwise. And unfortunately, we just don't have many alternatives rights now. Well, all of these harsh cleaning and disinfecting agents can be really hard on the skin, especially if you have easily irritated skin to begin with.
Face masks. Face masks may be causing skin irritation from the physical wear, as well as from the humid environment it creates under the mask. ("The occlusive nature of a protective mask creates a humid and warm environment under the mask, which can lead to increased sebum and sweat," board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., has previously told us. "And this can lead to irritation, inflammation, and breakouts.")