Aveeno reveals increasing skin sensitivity and related emotional disorders in consumers

26 Oct 2022 --- Aveeno’s latest research reveals that 71% of adults suffer from skin sensitivity – an increase of 55% in two decades. The Johnson & Johnson consumer brand conducted an online survey of 1,000 participants among self-declared sensitive skin consumers of varying ethnicities to dive into how skin conditions affect their quality of life.

The top three attributes that consumers desired when deciding which sensitive skincare product to purchase were gentle and non-irritating, moisturizing and free of harsh ingredients and chemicals.

“Our brand is built on expertise in the sensitive skin state and this report illustrates the meaningful impact sensitive skin has on people’s lives,” KC Hagin, commercial leader for Aveeno at Johnson & Johnson Consumer, tells PersonalCareInsights.

“We have an obligation not only to provide product solutions but also to help de-stigmatize the word ‘sensitive.’”

Data captured included the prevalence of sensitive skin, how their level of sensitivity evolved as they aged, what skin conditions respondents had been diagnosed with, their triggers and the associated symptoms they experienced.

The mind and skin are linked from before birth, stemming from the same embryologic tissue, which is also closely linked to our central nervous system.The survey of 800 females and 200 males aged between 18 and 65 validated the relationship between emotion and perception of sensitive skin. The report revealed that one-third of patients with skin diseases like acne, atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis and rosacea struggle with emotional disorders – including anxiety and depression.

Dr. Mara Weinstein Velez, board-certified dermatologist and Aveeno consultant, also tells us that the mind-skin connection is powerful. “Treating patients goes well beyond simply analyzing their skin. It’s about how their skin impacts their overall emotional well-being.”

State of skin sensitivity report
The report explores the connection between the mind and skin to reveal the importance of skincare. It details that the skin is “a receiver and a reactor” to millions of daily stimuli, “reflecting emotional and physical well-being.”

According to the report, women and younger people are more likely to have sensitive skin. Additionally, smokers and those with pre-existing skin conditions are more prone to skin sensitivity.

Of the self-perceived extremely sensitive and very sensitive skin participants, 47% believed stress, and 44% believed ingredients cause the most skin reactions.

Those who identified as extremely sensitive were 200% more likely to have been diagnosed with eczema, rosacea, acne or allergies than those who identified as slightly sensitive. Itching was the most commonly reported symptom of sensitive skin, followed by redness and dryness.

Skin reactivity in ethnic subgroups
While research has shown little difference between ethnic groups in sensitive skin prevalence, there are differences between ethnic subgroups in skin reactivity.

Euro-Americans had a more intense reaction to wind and tended to be less reactive to cosmetics. African-Americans were less reactive to most environmental factors and had a lower frequency of recurring facial redness.

Meanwhile, Asians appeared to have a stronger reaction to spicy food, sudden temperature changes and wind and tended to suffer from itching frequently. Hispanics showed a lower incidence of skin reactivity to alcohol.Report reveals smokers and those with pre-existing skin conditions are more prone to skin sensitivity.

Mind-skin connection
The report highlights that thoughts, feelings and emotions create instant chemical reactions in human bodies.

“Our mind and skin are linked from before birth, stemming from the same embryologic tissue, which is also closely linked to our central nervous system. So as emotions are played out neurologically, they are often expressed through the skin,” it states.

“The interconnection between mental health and skin health is known as the mind-skin connection ­– an interplay of neurologic, endocrine, immune and cutaneous systems.”

The report estimates that one-third of patients with skin diseases have psychological or psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, 90% of rosacea patients said their condition had lowered their self-confidence and self-esteem and reported negative feelings such as frustration, depression, anger and anxiety.

Reportedly, acne patients have a 63% increased risk of developing depression. “Acne sufferers often experience self-consciousness, frustration and embarrassment, and report the same levels of social, psychological and emotional problems as patients with other chronic disabling conditions, including asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, back pain and arthritis,” Aveeno reports.

It also spotlights the effect of moderate to severe AD – the most common eczema – on the patient’s quality of life.

“Half of the adults with moderate to severe AD say that it significantly limits their lifestyle, impacting emotional and mental health, physical activity, social functioning, sleep disturbance, work productivity, leisure activities and family relationships. Patients with AD are three times more likely to suffer anxiety and depression and more than 55% don’t think their disease is under control,” concludes the report.

By Radhika Sikaria

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