ONCE upon a time, having sensitive skin was equated to being rich. Skin reactions like redness or itchiness to common culprits like heat, dust, etc., were seen as a status symbol of sorts, like the real-life manifestation of “The Princess and the Pea.” To be maselan was to be mayaman, and entailed using only expensive products and staying in an air-conditioned room all the time.

However, to those with truly sensitive skin, they know that it is not a trait to be desired. It’s a pesky chronic condition that can be severely limiting. Going to the beach? Expect to break out in hives once you come in contact with the sand, sun and sweat. Attending a friend’s wedding? You’ll probably need to take it easy on the makeup, or your face will start itching and grow little bumps. Love reading beauty blogs? Forget about trying out the hottest new beauty product, chances are you’re on a fixed beauty routine featuring products that your skin hasn’t rejected violently.

Most skin-sensitive country

If the following examples sound like you to a T, we don’t need to tell you what a pain having sensitive skin is, you’re living it every day. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. A recent study by Nielsen ranks the Philippines as the second highest country to have sensitive skin incidences, the first being South Korea. That then makes us the number one country to have skin sensitivity issues in Southeast Asia (we’re talking sensitive physically, not those who ended up divorcing half their friends on Facebook during the elections). One in two women have reported symptoms related to skin sensitivity. As it turns out,
sensitive skin is not just for the one percent, not in the Philippines anyway.

And, if you’ve been suffering in silence or wallowing in futility and frustration, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Sharon Mak, GlaxoSmithkline’s communications director for Asia, says that this study was what led them to make Physiogel’s line of sensitive skin-friendly products easily accessible for Filipinos everywhere.

New regular line

Before, the only way to get to know Physiogel was through the recommendation of a dermatologist. My own derma told me to use Physiogel’s original formula when my skin started flaking and itching. Even for winter travel, my derma would recommend Physiogel. I even used it on my lips as a lip balm after an allergic reaction and was surprised that my lips softened immediately. My golfer brother uses the face cream religiously and has not had a breakout since.

While their regular line, which you can distinguish by the blue packaging, has been recommended by dermatologists for sensitive skin, a new line has been developed and released exclusively for those with sensitivity symptoms. The range is called Calming Relief, which immediately soothes irritation and redness while restoring skin health.

“Our R&D has shown that Asian women have thinner skin compared to Caucasians and we are more susceptible to sensitive skin symptoms. Symptoms cut across different manifestations: dryness, redness, breakouts and dark spots,” says Mak.

Physiogel’s calming relief line comes with a facial wash, a cream, a richer face cream for those with
extremely dry skin, a body lotion and an AI cream dermatologists recommend to use after a physical or chemical peel.

The main ingredient of Physiogel contains something they call “bio-mimic technology.” According to Mak, “Bio-mimic technology mimics skin’s natural lipids. When the skin’s lipid layer is compromised, it leaches water, allowing irritation to strike. Physiogel mimics the lipid layer and strengthens and repairs it over time, which will make your skin resilient against sensitivity.”

Once your skin’s lipid layers have been fortified and restored back to their natural, healthy state, you can introduce other beauty products to address needs like anti-aging and brightening.

“If you don’t have healthy skin, your brightening or anti-aging treatments won’t be as effective. It’s fundamental to have healthy skin first before adding other beauty products,” says Mak.

Physiogel is available at drugstores, supermarkets and department stores.