We all know what sensitive skin is, but do we? Skin sensitivity may have more nuance than you think. Today, we’re going to define what sensitive skin is—with a proper definition kindly provided by science—and answer all the follow-up questions you may have about it. Join us to explore all the layers within skin sensitivity!
On this post:
- What is sensitive skin?
- What is the root cause of sensitive skin?
- What triggers sensitive skin?
- How do I know if I have sensitive skin?
- Is sensitive skin always dry?
- How rare is sensitive skin?
- What can sensitive skin actually be?
- What is the difference between sensitive skin and sensitized skin?
- What to use for sensitive skin?
What is sensitive skin?
Aware of the difficulty of coming up with a proper definition, an interdisciplinary team focused on creating a scientifically accurate definition that does justice to what those with sensitive skin perceive and experience. As a result, they defined sensitive skin as “a syndrome defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations (stinging, burning, pain, pruritus, and tingling sensations) in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke such sensations. These unpleasant sensations cannot be explained by lesions attributable to any skin disease. The skin can appear normal or be accompanied by erythema. Sensitive skin can affect all body locations, especially the face”.
Considering this definition, we can say that sensitive skin is a broad term that describes skin that tends to exhibit signs of irritation when in contact with external aggressions. More than a medical diagnosis, it describes skin that is prone to redness, itchiness, tightness, and stinging (to name a few of the sensitivity signs). These symptoms may affect the skin of the face and/or body.
You should keep in mind, however, that these symptoms may also occur as a response to a specific external or internal event. Considering variables like the frequency of symptoms, how long they stay, how heavily they affect you, and what has triggered them, a dermatologist can help you determine whether or not you have sensitive skin or if there’s another reason that better explains the symptoms.
What is the root cause of sensitive skin?
It is not known exactly why skin sensitivity occurs, but there are a few theories with enough relevance to be discussed. “Several studies have suggested a link between sensitive skin and a disruption of the epidermal barrier function, resulting in the perception of skin discomfort”, but that’s not all there is to it. A paper published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology adds that sensitive skin can also result from other cutaneous factors—such as atopic predisposition and sensory nervous system—, endogenous factors, like hormonal changes, or even lifestyle or environmental factors. These factors may not only be the root cause but also may maintain skin sensitivity. The image below, from the same study, illustrates these influences for our better understanding.
What triggers sensitive skin?
Sensitivity can respond to triggers like extreme weather conditions, wind, spicy food, alcohol, and friction, to name a few. Interestingly enough, scientists have found slight ethnic differences in how the skin reacts to these triggers: according to a study, “Afro-Americans reacted less to environmental and alcoholic triggers; Hispanics reacted less to alcohol; Asians reacted more to wind, spices, and alcohol; and Euro-American reacted more to wind.” Regardless or your origins, make sure to understand what triggers your sensitivity to avoid unwanted symptoms.
How do I know if I have sensitive skin?
If you have sensitive skin, you’ll notice that your skin won’t shy away from letting you know. Signs may include redness, dryness or tighness, easy sunburn, or some sort of reactivity when in contact with cosmetics, very hot or cold weather, wind, or life in general.
The tricky part is to understand if you have sensitive skin or, more than that, a medical skin condition that may require further care. The safest course of action is to consult a healthcare professional. With a proper understanding of the issues and specific needs of your skin, you’ll be able to choose the best care while avoiding lifestyle options or products that aggravate your underlying conditions.
Is sensitive skin always dry?
Sensitivity goes after all skin tones and types, and you may well have sensitive, oily skin. However, it’s not uncommon for someone with sensitive skin—even those with oily skin—to describe their skin as dry. It may seem confusing, but it all adds up: regardless of the skin type, sensitive skin tends to have a compromised skin barrier, leading to high transepidermal water loss. Put simply, sensitivity frequently pushes you into the abyss of dehydrated skin—and the sensation of having dehydrated skin can be mistaken as dryness.
How rare is sensitive skin?
We can’t find an agreement when it comes to percentages, but it’s safe to say that sensitive skin is not a rare condition. Some papers suggest that the population with sensitive skin is close to 40%, while others have found that as many as 68.4% of people self-report as having sensitive skin. Either way, it is safe to say that sensitive skin is a common skin issue, that affects all regardless of gender, age, skin type, or skin tone.
What can sensitive skin actually be?
Sensitive skin is a lay term rather than a medical diagnosis. It is generally used to describe skin with reduced tolerance to the application of cosmetics and personal care products. In surveys, at least 40% of people report having sensitive skin. But is that all there is to it? In fact, those with self-diagnosed sensitive skin may have a cutaneous manifestation of skin disorders that benefit from specific care—like eczema, contact dermatitis, rosacea, photodermatoses, or other skin conditions. We refer you to the same old advice: to consult with a healthcare professional.
What is the difference between sensitive skin and sensitized skin?
Sensitive skin is more like a trait, while sensitized skin is more like a state. Even though sensitive skin is not a life sentence, it tends to stick with you. On the other hand, we can consider sensitized skin to be a brief state of extra sensitivity as a result of specific external aggressions. These aggressions may be a cosmetic that unexpectedly didn’t agree with your skin (hence the importance of a patch test), a sunburn, or a cosmetic procedure… you name it. We can sum it up by saying that if your skin is usually doing well but feels sensitive after a specific event, then we’re dealing with sensitized skin; on the other hand, if its not uncommon for your skin to displays signs of sensitivity, like redness, tightness, or itching even without any aggression, then you’re probably dealing with sensitive skin.
What to use for sensitive skin?
With sensitive skin, it’s more a case of what NOT to do. The most important thing is to be cautious around products not formulated specifically for sensitive skin. If possible, reach for formulas made for sensitive skin instead of those that claim to be for all skin types including sensitive skin. You should also notice how your skin sensitivity is doing—it is more than normal to have periods of some skin stability and others of extreme sensitivity—and you should adjust your skincare to your skin needs. A safe bet is to choose skincare products with minimal formulas that focus on skin hydration, and then complete your routine with a sunscreen that suits your skin type.
We love to care for sensitive skin, and we happen to have suggestions that may come in handy. Check out our posts with lovely skincare routines and tips for sensitive skin.
