Very sensitive and dry skin. How to handle!

Hello Dr. Irwin, I’ve had an issue for a few years now. I am at the moment 24 and have severely dehydrated and delicate pores and skin. It began with pimples once I was a youngster that I did not know was linked to weight loss plan and I dealt with it too harshly and wound up damaging my pores and skin with overexfoliation and pores and skin peels for a couple of years. I’ve since switched to pure oils for moisturizers and am much more light with my pores and skin. Full on lotions and lotions do not actually work anymore and can simply make my face really feel bone dry. The problem is that each few months or so with a change within the humidity and climate my pores and skin with begin to really feel very tight and delicate and will not soak up the oils I put onto it, so my face concurrently feels oily and dry. I’ve to discover a new kind of oil or toner to “unlock” it and make it really feel regular once more. My face will get agitated with sweat and can dry out if it will get moist, so I attempt to dwell a reasonably undemanding life. I obtained in contact with a pores and skin specialist who really helpful a whole lot of nice merchandise and knowledgeable me this was all linked to a broken lipid barrier, however although my pores and skin will really feel nice for a couple of months, it nonetheless goes again to feeling tight and dry when the climate modifications and it appears like I am again to sq. one making an attempt to determine it out. If you happen to suppose you may have any concepts why this occurs they’d be nice to listen to. Thanks.

You all ask such nice questions.   Thanks!  Was the “pores and skin specialist” you noticed a board licensed dermatologist?  I’m asking as a result of board licensed derms are educated to search for each inner and exterior causes of pores and skin issues.  For instance, chances are you’ll want labs like a thyroid panel, or testing for celiac sprue.  Or you possibly can have a genetic defect in your barrier layer like atopic dermatitis that will should be addressed. Let’s begin with the within of you.  It might be that you simply’re doing all this stuff under, however I’d like to verify.

For my part, toners are largely ineffective.  They simply add chemical compounds and are sometimes drying with out offering any actual profit, particularly to dry pores and skin.

Have you ever had a radical analysis together with:

1. Laboratory exams for inner causes of pores and skin illness, together with celiac sprue (a blood take a look at) which might trigger you to not soak up the wholesome fat chances are you’ll be consuming.
2. An inexpensive quantity of wholesome fat every day contributes to pores and skin well being.  For instance, olive oil, different vegetable oils, avocados are good examples.  Your pores and skin received’t be wholesome with out these.
3. Are you consuming fish like salmon or black cod a number of occasions per week, or taking a fish oil complement.  I just like the wild Alaskan salmon ones.
4. A probiotic and a prebiotic could also be useful on your intestine.  We all know that the pores and skin and the intestine are linked.  If you happen to’re unsure how to do that, contemplate speaking to an excellent nutritionist.  Be cautious of suppliers who wish to promote you a number of dietary supplements.

For topicals, listed here are some ideas:

• Propylene glycol is a low stage irritant in lots of skincare merchandise.  Consequently, it’s a good suggestion to test for that ingredient in all the things you’re utilizing.  Issues like hexylene or butylene glycol are tremendous.  The MadisonMD merchandise in our SHOP are all propylene glycol free.
• Have a look at your cleanser particularly.  Might you turn to only utilizing a mild washcloth and plain water for a month or two?
• Most significantly, pores and skin has a pure biome that could be not doing properly.  That is the place an excellent intestine helps too.  Contemplate switching to all natural merchandise for a month or two.

It feels like this downside is absolutely affecting your life in a unfavorable manner.  Particularly throughout Covid, lots of our sufferers and workers have wanted further psychological assist.  Counseling could also be an excellent possibility for you too, as you’re employed your manner via this powerful downside.

Good luck and needs to you!

Dr. Brandith Irwin