Is your skin sensitive?
After a relatively mild October, a harsh winter chill seems to have set in…and it’s wreaking havoc with our skin. With sales of skincare specifically designed for delicate skin types on the rise, is it possible that we have become a nation who are now overly obsessed with having ‘sensitive skin’?
According to a report published earlier this year, it is now estimated that sales of sensitive/gentle skincare products is worth more than $202 million, with the majority of sales coming from the facial cleanser and facial moisturiser segments. Sales trends also reflect this shift towards natural skincare with 71% of facial skincare users saying they are interested in ultra-gentle products. Sensitive and gentle skincare products are also capturing a greater percentage of facial cleanser and moisturiser sales.
So it would appear that consumers are opting for a pared down approach, as almost a quarter of facial skincare users saying they look for products with natural, organic ingredients. Twenty-two% seek out products that are free from certain ingredients like parabens or fragrances and 21% are interested in items that are designed specifically for sensitive skin.
French pharmacy brand Embryolisse, which has just been launched into Boots stores throughout the UK, is a classic example of a brand that is flourishing in the market – with one tube of the classic Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré selling every 60 seconds around the world.
Makeup artist Emily Clarkson who has converted many celebrity clients including Michelle Keegan and Sam Faiers to the French brand says,
"I am a firm believer that good makeup starts with good skincare! Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is always an absolute must in my makeup kit and a favourite with all my clients to give the skin that gorgeous healthy glow before applying makeup- it's the best!"
What is driving the sales of sensitive skin products - is our skin more sensitive than ever due to the changing climate? Or are we simply becoming an increasingly cautious nation when it comes to making skincare purchasing decisions?
Dermatologist Dr Robin Stones, Medical Director at Courthouse Clinics suggests we could be to blame. He says: "The subject of skin sensitivity is becoming a frequent topic of conversation - I have certainly seen an increase in the number of people who come into the clinic saying they have sensitive skin. Women are very committed to caring for their skin, but they're often diagnosing themselves with new issues and use so many new products to solve them that they develop irritation. Cleansing religiously, exfoliating too often, and topping it all off with a generous layers of topical products are just a few of the things that can send our complexions into overdrive."
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