Sensitive skin, atopic skin, dry skin… Difficult to navigate in all these appellations. Do these different skin types all have the same characteristics or are they different? How to take care of it ?

The skin consists of three layers. First, the‘epidermis, the superficial part of the skin, has the function of renewing the semi-permeable natural protective barrier supposed to protect the skin against external aggressions. Then, rich in vessels, the dermis, which is the middle part, nourishes and supports the epidermis so that it remains supple and toned. It is also involved in the regulation of body temperature, healing and the destruction of certain toxic substances through sweating. At last, l’hypoderme, the deep layer of the skin, ensures the storage and release of fat in the form of energy, it shapes the silhouette, retains heat and protects against shocks.

The skin is made up of 70% water, 27,5% protein, 2% fat and 0,5% mineral salts and trace elements. Most skin care products act on both the epidermis and the dermis and provide variable amounts of these elements to keep it hydrated, nourished and smooth. 

Dry skin is a type of skin that exhibits visible skin signs such as roughness to the touch, peeling and a dull complexion. People with dry skin also feel tightness and tingling and are more vulnerable to aging skin. The main causes of dry skin are a lack of lipids (the sebaceous glands fail to produce enough sebum to form a protective film on the skin) and a lack of water. 

We are talking about atopic skin when it develops allergic reactions in the form of dermatitis, that is to say inflammations of the skin which take different forms (itching, red patches, dry skin, vesicular lesions, oozing patches, etc.). These inflammatory reactions appear when the skin comes into contact with allergens. Atopy is a genetic predisposition, but genes are not the only ones responsible. The environment is partly responsible for atopic skin. We think of pollution, increased exposure to tobacco or excessive washing of the skin with unsuitable products.

Sensitive skin is prone to stinging, burning, itching and tingling in the presence of various stimuli (contact with clothing material, washing powder, cream, etc.) which in most people do not cause such symptoms. They say she’s hyper-reactive. The reactions of sensitive skin are however less important than in atopic skin and there is no question here of allergens and allergy. Unlike dry skin and atopic skin, this is not a skin type but a “condition”. Indeed, dry, oily and combination skin can also be sensitive.

The common point between dry skin, atopic skin and sensitive skin is skin dryness (which can be permanent or occasional). Daily care adapted to dry to very dry skin is strongly recommended to avoid discomfort (tightness, tingling and itching) and visible signs (redness, calluses, roughness, etc.).