Say goodbye to sensitive skin

Sensitivity is an important issue amongst skincare users. When 3,800 people were questioned in a large UK based questionnaire, 51% of women and 38% of men described their skin as sensitive - with 10% of women and 5.5% of men stating their skin was very sensitive. 57% of women and 31% of men had experienced an adverse reaction to a personal product at some stage in their lives with 23% of women and 13% of men having had the problem in the last 12 months. (1) A study in the US population recorded a prevalence for sensitive skin of 44% whilst a European study reported the overall incidence of sensitivity was 38%. (2,3)

With such high numbers of the female population suffering from sensitivity, therapists and skincare professionals need to be aware of the problem and develop strategies to help people with the condition. Failure to spot those with sensitive skin means an increased risk of performing treatments and retailing skincare that may lead to irritation, further sensitivity and customer dissatisfaction. Harsh cleansers, toners and physical exfoliation products should be avoided in these clients. Ingredients such as retinoids, glycolic acids, acidic antioxidants and perfumes carry enhanced risks of irritation in those with sensitive skin. 

Epionce is the ideal skincare line for all skin types and is particularly useful in those with sensitivity. Epionce ingredients repair the external skin barrier by correcting the abnormalities in the lipids in the surface of the skin and dampening down chronic inflammation. All Epionce products have low scores in the Repeat Insult Patch Test and are therefore unlikely to cause irritation.

Ideal Epionce products for sensitive skin types

Epionce Cleansers: Epionce cleansers contain carefully formulated ingredients to remove makeup and impurities without upsetting the skin. Willow Bark extract is a key ingredient in Gentle Foaming and Lytic Gel Cleanser to help clean out pores, while Date and Apple extracts calm skin to reduce the visible appearance of irritation.

Epionce Lytics: Epionce Lite Lytic and Lytic Lotion are products that contain specially formulated salicylic, willow bark extract, azelaic acid and anti-inflammatories. They safely smooth the surface of the skin whilst at the same time clearing the pores and calming the skin.

Lite Lytic should be used with very sensitive or dry skins, as it contains 0.5% salicylic compared to 1.95% in Lytic Lotion.

Epionce Renewals: Epionce Renewal Facial Lotion, Renewal Facial Cream and Intensive Nourishing Cream contain a blend of novel botanical extracts with physiological lipid precursors and biological response modifying ions in an emollient base with specific delivery mechanisms to maximise efficacy and minimise the risk of adverse reactions.

Epionce Serum: Epionce Intense Defense Serum contains the correct combination of Vitamins A,B,C,D and E in the appropriate proportions to give the ideal nutrition for human skin cells.

Epionce UV Protection: Epionce Ultra Shield SPF 50 is a cosmetically elegant UV protection combined with anti-inflammatories to provide daily protection for all skin types.

Starting point: If someone wants only one product to start with then choose a Renewal or Intensive Nourishing. Next add a Lytic.

References

 (1) Willis CM, Shaw S, De Lacharrière O, Baverel M, Reiche L, Jourdain R, et al. Sensitive skin: An epidemiological study. Br J Dermatol. 2001;145:258–63.

(2) Misery L, Sibaud V, Merial-Kieny C, Taieb C. Sensitive skin in the American population: Prevalence, clinical data, and role of the dermatologist. Int J Dermatol. 2011;50:961–7.

(3) Misery L, Boussetta S, Nocera T, Perez-Cullell N, Taieb C. Sensitive skin in Europe. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009;23:376–81.