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Suitable for sensitive skin prone to irritation, the symptoms sush as redness, itching, and inflammation
sensitive skin can generally be divided into four main types: naturally sensitive, environmentally sensitive, reactive, and thin.
Naturally sensitive skin: This one is genetic, it can be linked to inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.
Environmentally sensitive skin: As its name implies, this type of sensitivity is triggered by your environment. Sun exposure, cigarette smoke, air pollution — anything your skin comes into contact with might send it into a stinging, irritating frenzy.
Reactive skin: "This type of skin becomes red and inflamed by skin-care products, resulting in very red, warm, and irritated skin," Dr. Lewis says. "Often patients will notice papules or pustules forming where the irritant was placed."
Thin skin: As we age, our skin naturally becomes thinner, and thinner skin is easier to irritate.
Sensitive skin is skin that is more reactive than usual. It is easily irritated by the elements — wind, sun, heat, or cold — or by topical products." Other potential triggers can include hormones, lack of sleep, and even air pollution. When exposed to one of these triggering elements, sensitive skin may burn or sting, turn red, or otherwise feel very uncomfortable. Sensitive skin is caused by nerve endings in the top layer of skin becoming irritated. The irritation of nerve endings occurs when the skin's natural barrier is weakened or broken down by triggers. Another potential trigger: skin-care products. Those with sensitive skin are generally more reactive to soaps, detergents, dyes, and fragrances in topical products. Using the wrong ones can result in itchiness, dryness, and reddening. This is why your skin-care routine is probably the most telling factor in whether or not you truly have sensitive skin.
Since there are varying degrees and causes of sensitive skin, everyone is different. A dermatologist is your best bet for figuring out your own individual trigger. However, generally speaking, those with sensitive skin would be wise to avoid using personal care products that contain fragrances and dyes. Regarding skin care specifically, sensitive skin patients to steer clear of sulfates, exfoliants such as glycolic, salicylic acid, and retinoids, and creams with multiple ingredients. Isopropyl alcohol and chemical sunscreens are also common irritants.
Another potential trigger is the way you go about your skin-care routine — specifically, the cleansing step. Do not rub or scrub, Washing too often will irritate sensitive skin and cause excessive dryness. Instead, stick with mild, gentle cleansers, not soaps or scrubs.
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