Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin means you have a reaction to something that doesn’t typically cause skin irritation. This could include the weather, pollution or products like makeup, lotion or soap. If you have sensitive skin, you might notice dryness, itching or skin discoloration suddenly or after use of an irritant.

To put it simply, your skin is selective. It’ll let you know if it doesn’t like an ingredient in a product that touched it or what’s going on with the weather. Your skin will usually stop reacting and return to normal when the irritant goes away and your skin has a chance to calm down. 

Sensitive skin is very common. A healthcare provider or a dermatologist can help you manage sensitive skin. You may hear your provider refer to this reaction as:

• Hyperreactivity
• Hypersensitivity
• Sensitive skin syndrome
• Skin irritation

Types of sensitive skin

There are two types of sensitive skin:

• Objective. You have visible signs of sensitive skin, like skin discoloration and bumps. This is usually associated with an underlying condition like atopic dermatitis or acne.
• Subjective. You have symptoms of sensitive skin that you feel but can’t see, like burning and itching.

Symptoms of sensitive skin

Sensitive skin may look different on each person. Some common symptoms include:

• A raised patch of skin
• A rash
• Blisters
• Bumps
• Dry skin
• Hives
• Peeling skin
• Scaling or flaky skin
• Skin discoloration (like redness or a shade darker than your natural skin tone)

Sensitive skin may feel:

• Burning
• Itching
• Pain
• Stinging
• Tingling

While uncommon, you might not feel any physical symptoms.

You may have sensitive skin with one or a few of these signs or symptoms on any part of your body. They’re most common on your face. Some of your skin is thinner than other areas, like your armpits, groin and genitals. Skin in those areas may react more noticeably and feel more irritated than skin in other areas of your body.

Sensitive skin causes

Healthcare providers aren’t sure of the exact cause of sensitive skin. Research suggests it could happen due to the thinning of your stratum corneum.

The stratum corneum is the outer layer of your skin (epidermis) that you can see. It offers protection from light, heat and harmful agents (pathogens). It acts as a barrier for water and other elements.

If you have sensitive skin, the barrier that this layer creates isn’t as strong as it should be. So, things from your environment that usually stay outside of your body can pass through it and irritate the deeper layers of your skin.

What triggers sensitive skin?

Triggers are things in your environment that cause symptoms. Some of the most common sensitive skin triggers include:

• Clothing fabrics (wool, polyester, etc.)
• Household cleaning products
• Makeup
• Laundry detergent
• Lotions
• Soaps

Usually, scented products or products that contain harsh chemicals trigger skin sensitivities.

Other triggers could include:

• Air pollution
• An underlying health condition
• Climate (heat, wind, temperature changes, etc.)
• Hormone changes
• Medication side effects
• Natural aging
• Nutrition and hydration
• Stress
• Sun exposure

To find out what your triggers are, note when you experience symptoms. Then, make a list of anything that came into contact with your skin, including clothing, skin care products, soaps or cleaners, etc. If you had symptoms after using a new laundry detergent, for example, you may need to switch to one without fragrances to see if that’s the culprit.

If you’re having trouble detecting triggers, talk to a healthcare provider.

What is sensitive skin a symptom of?

There are several skin conditions that cause sensitive skin as a symptom. Some of the most common include:

• Acne
• Aquagenic pruritus
• Atopic dermatitis
• Contact dermatitis
• Dry skin
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Rosacea
• Seborrheic dermatitis

How doctors diagnose sensitive skin

A healthcare provider will diagnose sensitive skin after a physical exam. They’ll take your medical history and ask you questions about your symptoms (like when symptoms started, how often they happen and what it feels like). Your provider will also take a closer look at your skin. They may use a tool called a dermatoscope, which magnifies your skin and helps your provider get a closer look.

If your provider suspects sensitive skin, they’ll ask you about your daily routine or common products you use on your skin.

Additional tests may rule out conditions with similar symptoms. For example, your provider may suggest a skin biopsy or an allergy patch test. These can vary based on the symptoms you experience.

How to know if you have sensitive skin

If you notice your skin reacts negatively to certain makeups, skin care products, environmental changes, fabrics, etc., you may have sensitive skin. A healthcare provider can confirm if this is true.

How is sensitive skin treated?

You can manage sensitive skin at home by:

• Identifying your triggers and avoiding them, which might mean stopping the use of certain products (like makeup, laundry detergent, soaps and others)
• Using a mild cleanser or soap and warm water to wash your skin and remove any makeup daily
• Moisturizing your skin often (choose a moisturizer that’s fragrance-free and irritation-free)
• Wearing sunscreen and/or limiting sun exposure
• Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water
• Wearing gloves when using household cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals

If you try to manage sensitive skin at home but it doesn’t work after a week or so, talk to a healthcare provider. They may offer treatment options like:

• Managing any underlying conditions or medications that cause sensitive skin
• Short-term use of topical corticosteroids
• Topical immunomodulators (like pimecrolimus or tacrolimus)
• Light therapy

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Visit a healthcare provider if you have signs or symptoms of sensitive skin that are very bothersome or don’t go away with at-home treatments. They’ll evaluate your symptoms and help you determine what’s causing skin irritation.

It’s important to note that skin sensitivity may change over time. Pay attention to the symptoms you experience and what may be causing them. Talk to your provider if you’re experiencing new symptoms or if current remedies stop working.

Can sensitive skin be prevented?

There’s not much you can do to prevent sensitive skin. But you can take steps to avoid symptom flare-ups. For example, your skin may react to sudden changes in personal care products, like using soaps and shampoos provided at a hotel you stay at while on vacation. You can prevent a flare while traveling by bringing some of your favorite products from home.