“Sensitive skin.” How often do we hear this term without truly understanding what it means? Is it a skin type, a temporary issue, or something else entirely? If you’ve experienced redness, itching, burning, irritation, or feel like your skin reacts to everything, this guide is for you.

We’ll dive into the science of sensitive skin, explore common misconceptions, and guide you on how to improve your routine. While this blog may challenge what you think you know about the topic, by the end you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to better manage and care for your sensitive skin.

What is Sensitive Skin?

Defining sensitive skin can be challenging due to limitations in much of the current research. Many studies rely on self-reported symptoms - like burning, itching, or stinging - which are forms of subjective data. While visible signs like redness or rashes may accompany sensitivity, they aren’t always present, and the causes can vary.

What we do know is that sensitive skin types suffer from an abnormal reaction to stimuli. That means that your skin is hyper-active, constantly reacting to triggers both internally and in our environment (think allergens, irritants, cosmetic ingredients, etc). While research into skin sensitivity only truly began in recent decades, findings suggest that over half of the population identifies as having sensitive skin.

Common symptoms of sensitive skin include:

• Erythema (redness): Flushing or persistent red patches, often triggered by irritants.

• Xerosis (dry skin): An impaired skin barrier leads to water loss, flaking, and tight skin.

• Pruritus (itching) or Burning: Uncomfortable sensations that may occur after product use or exposure to environmental triggers.

• Breakouts or Rashes: Irritation that sometimes overlap with conditions like rosacea or eczema.

The Science of Sensitive Skin

Before we delve further into the underlying cause of sensitivity, it’s important to stress that this is an overview of what we have so far. While ongoing research can help us further understand the exact causes of sensitive skin, research points to several different contributing factors.

Possible Causes:

• Underlying Disorders: Conditions like rosacea, eczema, or cutaneous lupus.

• Allergies: Seasonal allergies or contact dermatitis may be linked to increased sensitivity.

• Cosmetics: Overuse of retinoids, exfoliants, or harsh treatments.

• Skin Injury: Compromised skin barriers allow irritants to penetrate.

• Genetics: Thinner or lighter skin tones may be more prone to redness and flushing.

• Diet: Spicy foods or caffeine may trigger sensitivity in some individuals (it varies so please consult with your provider before eliminating any foods).

In addition to these potential causes, there’s also triggers that can make sensitive skin worse. A few examples of these internal and external factors include: hormones, stress, wind, sun exposure, low temperatures, and industrial pollution. But once you have sensitive skin, what is occurring within our skin that causes its symptoms?

What is Happening Inside the Skin:

• Nerve Dysfunction: Overactive sensory receptors cause stronger sensations like itching or burning.

• Inflammation: Cytokines and histamines exacerbate redness, heat, and swelling.

• Barrier Impairment: A damaged barrier cannot keep irritants out, worsening symptoms.

All this to say, there is a lot going on beneath the surface of sensitive skin. Prevention through trigger avoidance, seeking treatment for underlying disorders, and supporting the skin barrier is essential.

Myth Busting: Misconceptions About Sensitive Skin

When a topic is poorly understood, misconceptions abound. We’re tackling some of the most common ones around sensitive skin to help reduce the misinformation circulating online.

Myth #1: Sensitive skin is a skin type that you’re born with.

The topic of skin type itself is a can of worms that we’ll have to sort through in another blog. Skin changes over time due to factors like age, climate, and health. Depending on the cause, sensitivity can develop at any time.

Myth #2: Natural products are better for sensitive skin.

The origin of an ingredient doesn’t determine its safety, efficacy, or tolerability for sensitive skin. Some naturally derived ingredients, like essential oils, can be a common allergen for sensitive skin. There are many artificially synthesized ingredients that are not only gentle on the skin but don’t vary by batch like many plant extracts and oils. 

Myth #3: Reactive skin is different than sensitive skin.

There is no distinction between “reactive” and “sensitive” skin that is supported by any evidence. These terms are often used interchangeably in medical literature.

Skincare For Sensitive Skin

If you’re prone to sensitivity, you’ll want to focus your routine on what’s going on inside your skin - and avoid anything that could make it worse. Simple is the safest approach with sensitive skin as it means less opportunities for a reaction to occur.

Tip: Patch test all new products on the jaw or neck for several days before applying to the entire face

What to Avoid:

• Overuse of retinoids and exfoliants 

• Harsh, stripping cleansers and toners with a high concentration of alcohol

• Long hot showers in winter 

• Fragrance and essential oils (for those with allergies)

What Can Help:

• Use a humidifier during the winter when running a heater

• Look for mild, low pH cleansers

• Protect your skin from the sun

• Look for gentle versions of your favorite skincare ingredients (like swapping tretinoin for a low dose, encapsulated retinol)

Best Ingredients for Sensitive Skin:

• Colloidal oat

• Aloe vera

• Chamomile extract

Mira is a skincare educator, blogger, and the content creator behind Skin Science by Mira and The Skincare Forum on Facebook. While skincare keeps her busy, she’s also pursuing her degree in Nursing and loves to spend her free time hiking.  As a content writer for Stratia Skin, Mira shares her evidence-based approach to skincare topics and a passion for making science accessible.