Skin Conditions

The skins condition is how the skin is behaving as well as working. As well as the primary skin type that we all have, the skins condition can greatly the skin and cause many problems.....

These are the different skin conditions:

• Dehydrated Skin
• Touch Sensitive Skin
• Allergic Sensitive Skin
• Sensitized Skin
• Hyper-Pigmented Skin

Dehydrated Skin: This condition is where the skin lacks water content in the outer layers of the epidermis. Any skin type can become dehydrated including oily and blemish-prone skin.
See Dehydration for a comprehensive article on this condition.


Touch Sensitive Skin: This is the 'TRUE' sensitive skin condition that many people often mistake themselves to have. It is caused by a genetic predisposition and usually affects people with Northern European ancestry.
A person with a true touch sensitive skin condition will experience many characteristics which include: skin 'flare ups', the skin becoming red (erythema) and very sore, hives can also appear on the skin .
Any pressure on the skin will flare up the skin, even the lightest of touches.
This skin condition can flare up due to the use of water and many cosmetic products, fragrances and air fresheners. The changing of a washing detergent, slight temperature increases and the wearing of clothes that are too close to the body can cause flare ups.
People with this skin condition are more likely experience hay fever, asthma and eczema.


Allergic Sensitive Skin: This type of sensitive skin that is different from 'true' sensitive skin.
It has the same type of flare ups as above which are brought about by allergies to certain things.
Ingredients in cosmetic products, ingredients in foods or certain types of fruit and vegetables, allergies to animals and allergies to pollen can all cause the skin to flare up and become sensitive.
This sensitivity can flare up when allergies occur and subside when the allergy has passed.
Allergic Sensitive Skin is similar to sensitized skin (see below).


Sensitized Skin: This skin condition is the most common form of sensitivity and the one form that most people mistake for the 'true' sensitive skin.
A person with generally healthy skin and no allergies can have their skin become sensitized. There are many of reasons why this happens but it is generally the result of something that has been done to that person's skin by them self.
The incorrect use of cosmetic products on the skin can cause sensitization especially abrasive ones that have stripped away the skin's barrier like soap and alcohol. Incorrectly using hydroxy acids in high amounts or the over-use of them can also impair the skins barrier function and lead to sensitization.
Poor diet, alcohol intake, stress and hormone imbalances can also lead to skin sensitization as can the environment that we live in today.
Like all skin types, sensitized skin can be treated but if the skin is left in its sensitized state then permanent damage can occur to the cells which will lead ultimately to premature ageing.


Hyper-Pigmented Skin: This skin condition is a darkening in area's of skin which is caused by melanin increasing in that area.
Its primary cause is due to sun damage and exposure to UVA rays. It can also be caused by skin disorders where the skin has inflamed over a long period of time and also if any injury has occured to the skin.
Hormone inbalances can cause hyper-pigmentation (melasma). This is usually caused by pregnancy or the use of birth control pills. This form of hyper-pigmentation has been known to disappear on its own once the hormones have balanced themselves out.
Age can also play a role in hyper-pigmentation. 'Liver spots' are usually noticed in the skin in the later years and are a form of hyper-pigmentation.
See Pigmentation for a comprehensive article on this condition.