Frequently-asked questions

Sweating helps regulate your body temperature. That's why sweating under certain conditions is natural, no matter what kind of skin you may have. But sweat itself is odourless.
 
It is the bacteria that cover our skin that cause body odour when we sweat. Underarm skin is especially prone to bacterial growth. That's why it's important to actively care for underarm skin with special products for this area. Although there are many factors that can affect how much you sweat, such as the climate where you live or how nervous you are, nothing affects body odour more than whether or not you maintain basic hygiene.

Like many people, maybe you think that a neutral pH (=pH 7.0) is ideal for your skin. But that is not the case. Our skin’s natural pH is slightly acidic (pH 4.7 average), and this is how it should be to keep your skin healthy.
 
A slightly acidic pH helps maintain millions of skin friendly bacteria that live in your skin, which are essential for keeping harmful bacteria from penetrating and damaging it.
 
The best way of protecting your skin is to actively take care of it, using slightly acidic products like the Sanex range formulated to help maintain its natural pH.

Everyone always thinks you look healthier after coming back from a holiday or weekend with a sun tan. But each time you go to a tanning salon or even to the beach, the mountains or skiing, it can be harmful for your skin. 
 
A tan is nothing more than your skin’s way of protecting itself from the sun’s radiation by producing a pigment (melanin). The longer you expose yourself, the more damage can be done to your skin. After intense sun exposure, injured cells release substances that cause redness and swelling. But the degree of irritation also depends on how fair your skin is. People with very pale skin are 10 times less able to tolerate the sun’s radiation than those with dark skin.

When we talk about sensitive skin, we are making a general reference to skin types that react strongly to factors that do not affect normal skin. However, it is important to remember that not all sensitive skin is alike. As a result, helpful tips for other people may not be right for you.
 
For example, some people’s skin is sensitive to contact with certain products or metals, reacting with rashes or eczema. Other people may have a more pronounced skin reaction to abrupt changes in temperature or different environmental factors. What we eat may also cause skin reactions.
 
Using stringent criteria when choosing your body hygiene products can help you give your sensitive skin the care it deserves. If your sensitive skin is affecting your quality of life, you should ask your dermatologist for advice.

Yes, sensitive skin ages more rapidly than other skin types. There isn’t one single cause but rather a sum of many factors. To begin with, sensitive skin is finer than other types of skin and becomes more easily damaged. Besides, sensitive skin dries out more quickly and is less protected against external factors.
 
All this leads to premature ageing. Facial lines of expression, for example, are a good indicator – they appear much sooner with sensitive skin. Fortunately, we can prevent ageing common to sensitive skin. Providing moisturising and nutritive substances is an excellent way of satisfying its specific needs.

Our clothes are in contact with our skin night and day. This constant friction can cause problems if you have sensitive skin. Here are some tips to reduce discomfort from clothing that can be irritating to your skin: remove interior clothing labels, always wash new clothes before wearing them for the first time, avoid garments with marked seams and, in general, clothes that are thick, stiff and tight fitting.
 
It is better to use natural fabrics like cotton, but don’t forget that certain woollens and linens can cause excessive friction.

Yes. The surface of healthy skin contains between 15 to 30 percent of water. If the skin components responsible for retaining this water are damaged, your skin rapidly becomes dehydrated.
 
When this process happens, any kind of skin can become dry. Skin components like lipids and proteins form a special ‘bricks & mortar’ structure to retain water. That’s why a balanced diet and caring for our skin in a healthy way is basic to prevent these changes from happening.
 
Skin care products rich in emollient substances diminish your skin’s water loss, and help keep it supple and hydrated.

Not necessarily. Having dry skin for a period of time does not always mean that this is your permanent skin type.
 
Extremely cold, hot or dry air, heating, air-conditioning as well as contact with certain cleansing products or solvents and UV exposure can cause your skin to dry out. Besides, as we get older, our body’s oil glands become less active and it is normal for our skin to get rougher and dull. It also makes a difference if you are a man or woman. Women tend to have much drier skin after menopause, but men may also experience drier skin as they get older.
 
The secret to permanently healthy skin is to care for it according to its needs at any given time, keeping in mind your sex, age, daily activity, etc.

Dry skin gets irritated more easily and that is why it often causes itching. Especially in winter, or other times when heating or air-conditioning is on. Or even when your skin comes in contact with certain kinds of fabric.
 
Itching can get to be very bothersome. It can even cause you to be more irritable or to lose sleep. The first step you can take before it gets to this stage is quite simple: moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!
 
It is quite likely that with this simple action, the itching will disappear. If not, it is best to consult your dermatologist or a doctor.

The upper layers of your skin normally hold 20 per cent of all body water. Dry skin means that you have highly-reduced levels of water and that is why it looks dull and lifeless. And although you can’t see it, dryness also weakens your skin’s protective layer and causes you to lose more internal water through evaporation. 
 

While it is said that drinking 1.5-2 litres of water a day helps keep your skin moisturised, there is no hard scientific evidence to back this up. What is important is that you look after dry skin through regular use of products that moisturise, balance and protect it.

Oily skin can be controlled by good daily hygiene. Be careful in the products you choose, though, as harsh products irritate the skin and strip it from natural oils. Instead, it is best to use gentle, soap-free products with a low pH. Even oily skin needs moisturising, too. After cleansing, use a light, non-comedogenic moisturiser that will not block your pores.

Your skin needs different types of oils that help keep it lubricated and protected. For example, not having enough of the famous Omega-6 fats, found in fish or in certain vegetable oils, can make your skin become drier and rougher.
 
Without these essential fatty acids, the skin loses elasticity, flakes more than usual and is less protected. A healthy diet that includes these fatty acids is essential for avoiding dry skin.