Sensitive Skin: Signs, Causes, and Skincare

Are you hesitant to try new skincare actives or home remedies because your skin reacts suddenly? It can signify having sensitive skin. Sensitive skin can often react strongly to even the mildest of triggers, making it difficult to manage properly, including persistent irritation, redness, inflammation, and, as severe as, stinging sensations.

This blog discusses sensitive skin, its triggers and symptoms, and how to manage it. It also throws light on causes and skincare tips. 

What is Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is a skin condition and not a skin type – a common myth you may have come across. It can occur when the sensory nerve endings in the top layers of the skin respond to sensations such as touch or dry air, stress, and hormonal changes.

Those with sensitive skin often experience itching, redness, stinging, or burning at frequent times, triggered by several factors. These triggers can attack the skin’s natural barrier. 

Certain skin conditions, like dermatitis, rosacea, or common allergic reactions, can be mistaken for sensitive skin as they show similar symptoms, like itching and burning. 

Sensitive Skin Signs

If your skin reacts strongly to cosmetics, skincare products, environmental shifts, and specific fabrics, it could be a sign of sensitive skin. The best way to know for sure is by consulting a healthcare professional.

Sensitive skin hurts to touch, but there are many signs to identify. Some of the common sensitive skin signs are; 

• Redness
  
• Itching
  
• Burning
  
• Peeling
  
• Flaky patches
  
• Open sores

Dry to very dry skin types are often seen in people with hyperactive skin and increased sensitivity. They can also witness rashes, patches, and even hives. Having said that, objective symptoms can vary person to person depending upon the underlying factors.   

Causes of Sensitive Skin

Experts believe thinning of the outer layer of your skin might be the reason behind your sensitive skin. Studies are still ongoing, aiming to know the exact causes. One of the following reasons could be to blame;

Ageing

Our skin tends to lose its collagen over the years as we age, hence reducing the elasticity and moisture. This may affect the skin barrier to become weak and the stratum corneum to become thin. 

The aged skin is more prone to dryness and flakiness and may become sensitive in cases when it remains unprotected or uncared for.

Acne

Acne-prone skin is often inflamed. Consistent use of harsh exfoliants, spot treatments, or cleansers can strip the barrier away and leave the skin fragile and open to sensitivity. Frequent breakouts can also disturb the skin's barrier, leaving room for irritation and inflammation. 

Eczema

Eczema is a skin disorder that decreases the ability of your skin to hold moisture. This makes the skin dry, rough, reactive, and patchy. People struggling with eczema may experience more flare-ups and get easily irritated. 

Psoriasis

Skin dealing with psoriasis is characterised by dark and rough patches on different body parts due to the increased cellular turnover. This already-compromised skin may react strongly to triggers and worsen the reaction. 

Genetics

Some of us are genetically predisposed to sensitive and reactive skin because of a naturally thinner epidermis with less oil production. One of the reasons can be that disorders like eczema run in the family. These individuals need to stay careful throughout their lives and take certain precautions to maintain their barrier health. 

What Triggers Sensitive Skin

Routine activities like wearing fragrances, bathing, work-related stress, and sun exposure can aggravate the sensitive skin condition. Let's explore the external and internal triggers that worsen your existing condition.

Sun Exposure

Excessive sun exposure can be detrimental to your skin and can contribute to oxidative stress. This oxidative stress can further make your skin inflamed and prone to redness and irritation, 

Detergent

An enzyme commonly used in washing powders, called sodium lauryl sulphate, can strip natural oils from your skin. The traces of your harsh, chemically-infused powders remain in clothes and can reach your skin's surface to irritate.

Pollution

Pollution can provoke a chain reaction of oxidative stress, causing excessive dryness in the skin. Tiny particles and toxins in the environment tend to penetrate the skin barrier, breaking down collagen and lipids.

Temperature Fluctuations

Cold, heat, and wind can contribute to your skin's sensitivity, causing your body to release a hormone called histamine, an itch molecule. It can dilate your blood vessels, resulting in red skin, from prickling to burning or itching sensations. 

Hormones

Hormones can bring on major to minor fluctuations in the body, especially in women, which can affect the skin, making it severely sensitive at times. You might see redness and inflammation 

Sensitive Skin Vs. Allergic Reactions

People may confuse sensitive skin with allergies. Allergy has symptoms like redness or itching in an area where the skin has encountered the allergen. But sensitive skin may remain by your side for years without showing any visible signs until something triggers it. 

Take note of how your skin behaves when it comes in contact with a particular allergenic substance. See if it reacts each time with itching, burning, redness, and inflammation. Rosacea, eczema, or contact dermatitis are the most common allergic reactions. 
It’s best to ask your doctor. They can diagnose the issue along with its underlying cause and help you with the appropriate treatment procedure. 

Sensitive Skin in Different Skin Types

Sensitive skin is not a skin type but rather a condition. It can occur in any skin type, including oily, dry, and normal, under different circumstances depending on one’s lifestyle choices or other causes.

Also Read: What is My Skin Type & How to Determine It

Suppose your skin is naturally reactive to a particular ingredient, so it will show some substantial reaction each time exposed to that one ingredient, no matter its type.  

Skincare for Sensitive Skin

Dealing with sensitive skin requires patience, consistency, and a bunch of suitable skincare products. Here is a step-by-step skincare routine for sensitive skin.

• Choose a mild cleanser for sensitive skin to wash away all the dirt, impurities, and makeup. Ensure it does not leave your skin dry after the wash.
• Continue with a targeted treatment with a serum. There are good options available for sensitive skin. Niacinamide works well for redness, and hyaluronic acid hydrates intensely.
• Moisturise deeply with a non-comedogenic, fragrance-free moisturiser. You can choose ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera, and ceramides.
• End your routine with an eye serum. This is the part that even skincare enthusiasts often ignore, but they should not.  
  

How to Manage Your Sensitive Skin

• You must avoid hot showers as they can leave your skin losing its moisture and end up with dryness. 
• Exfoliation favours your skin, but overdoing it can ruin it. It can strip off the natural oils from the skin, making it more susceptible to sensitivity. 
• If you are new to any skincare ingredient or product, conduct a patch test on the inside of your arm. If you see or feel no reaction, the product is safe to use.
• Get a good sleep of 6-7 hours at least. Eat healthy, leafy, green vegetables. Practice meditation and breathing exercises to maintain a healthy body, hence healthy skin. 
  

Anti-Redness Moisturiser for Sensitive Skin

If you are struggling with a burning sensation and redness on the skin, DRSQ's Hydracalm can be a great option - specifically made for the skin that is sensitive to touch. It's an anti-redness and skin-soothing moisturiser formulated with peptides, ultra-low-weight hyaluronic acid, and jojoba seed oil to relax your skin. 

This sensitive skin moisturiser soothes inflamed and heated skin, provides intense moisture, and alleviates itching and scaling in the skin. 

FAQs

1. Can I use retinol for my sensitive skin?
   Yes, you can use retinol while dealing with sensitive skin. Start with the milder concentrations and gradually increase the frequency. Check how your skin responds to retinol; if it irritates beyond the normal, see the doctor immediately. However, retinaldehyde can be a better alternative for retinol if your skin is sensitive or reactive. 
   
2. Why does my skin feel sensitive to touch?
   There may be several reasons, ranging from allergic reactions to certain skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis or rosacea. We suggest seeing your dermatologist for expert advice and immediate help. 
   
3. What type of makeup should I use for my sensitive skin?
   Go for mineral or powder foundations and avoid waterproof products as they require micellar water for removal, which can further trigger sensitivity. Silicone-based formulations are usually friendly for sensitive skin. 
   
4. Which skin conditions are related to sensitive skin?
   Skin conditions, including rosacea, dermatitis, acne, eczema, and psoriasis, are associated with sensitive skin. Allergic contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and urticaria (hives) can also make the skin more reactive.
   

References:

• Chee-Leok Goh, Yan Wu, Belinda Welsh, Ma Flordeliz Abad-Casintahan, Chung-Jen Tseng, Jaishree Sharad, SungKyu Jung, Jinda Rojanamatin, Irma Bernadette S Sitohang, Hau Ngai Kingsley Chan, "Expert consensus on holistic skin care routine: Focus on acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and sensitive skin syndrome", 2023 Jan
• Arun C Inamadar, Aparna Palit, "Sensitive skin: an overview", 2013 Jan-Feb
• H Ham, S M An, E J Lee, E Lee, H O Kim, J S Koh, "Itching sensation and neuronal sensitivity of the skin", 2016 Feb