Some cosmetics contain ingredients that are harmful for skin over the long term. Included are mineral oils and silicones, which can obstruct the skin’s pores and smother it bit by bit. It’s important to keep an eye on product composition for both makeup and skin care. Removing makeup every night is obviously compulsory, as long as the method used respects the skin’s balance.
This is a real public health problem, recognized by the World Health Organization. Indoors and outdoors, air is full of ambient pollutants, which are found in skin and hair: dust, fine and ultra fine particles (exhaust gas, combustion heating, cigarette smoke…), heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic), gaseous pollutants (ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide), volatile organic compounds (exuded by plastic, carpet, paint, furniture), without forgetting pollen, potentially highly allergenic. All of these invisible enemies have a direct impact on skin.
These come from the skin’s own metabolism: sweat, dead cells tied to flaking skin, sebum. These impurities can alter the skin’s normal biological functioning. It is therefore essential to cleanse skin.
Composition varies according to location. Overall, tap water tends to be full of bacteria, calcium deposits and other residues that are potentially irritating for the epidermis. It can therefore provoke skin irritations and reactions, especially if the skin's barrier is weakened. This should be taken into account when choosing a face cleanser for sensitive skin.
The Covid-19 pandemic introduced a new irritant for skin. Wearing a mask is obviously essential for protecting ourselves and others from contagion. But it frequently produces new skin problems. ‘Maskne’ refers to acne that is tied to wearing a mask, with spots located on the bottom half of the face. People with sensitive skin have noticed other effects: irritation, redness, itching, stinging and sometimes even flare-ups of eczema. Here, too, washing your face is critical to restoring skin to health.
