Maybe you've woken up in the morning and when you looked in the mirror, you noticed flaky, red patches around your lips, nose, and chin. Or perhaps you feel a familiar, sharp sting every time you try using a new scented lotion. These can all be tell-tale signs you have sensitive skin. Living with sensitive skin can be frustrating and disheartening, but it's absolutely a common experience. In a 2019 study, a global estimate revealed around 60-70% of women report having sensitive skin, while 50-60% of men also report experiencing skin sensitivity.1

In this article, we'll discuss what sensitive skin truly is and help you identify signs of sensitive skin that you might be sweeping under the rug. Next, we'll explore what causes sensitive skin, and, perhaps most importantly, we'll provide practical tips and strategies to help you soothe irritable skin. Whether you're looking for new ways to care for your sensitive skin or seeking to understand it better, this guide is here to support you every step of the way.

Do I Have "Abnormally" Sensitive Skin?

Although sensitive skin can be a symptom or sign of certain skin disorders, such as rosacea or chronic hives2, sensitive skin in and of itself is not a diagnosis given by a doctor.3 Rather, sensitive skin is something anyone can experience, and is defined by skincare experts as a condition that causes people's skin to react poorly to stimuli, leading to redness, itching, and other painful sensations.4

Unfortunately for us, sensitive skin doesn't have a single, straightforward definition, and almost everyone experiences it in their own, unique way. However, there are some common signs you can look out for that may indicate you are one of the many men and women who suffer from sensitive skin, such as:

• Redness: Many people with sensitive skin can experience temporary or persistent redness.5 This redness might also get worse when you cleanse your skin, apply lotions, or forget to put on your SPF in the morning.
• Dryness: One of the most frustrating symptoms of sensitive skin can be chronic and persistent dry skin.6 Often, people with dry skin may find themselves combating patches of tight, dry skin that flakes off and is difficult to cover with cosmetics.
• Itching: Often alongside dryness, people with sensitive skin can be pestered by nagging itches.5 This can be worsened by both skin products and even certain clothing.
• Burning: Burning is a common symptom people with sensitive skin report.5 Oftentimes, this painful sensation is at its worst when you are trying a new skin product, such as a cleanser or moisturizer.
• Rashes, Breakouts, or Inflammatory Acne: People with sensitive skin sometimes have to manage rash-like breakouts on their face, chest, or other parts of their body.7 These rashes are a hallmark of skin irritation, and can be coupled with dryness or acne.

What Does Science Have to Say About My Sensitive Skin?

Is it genetic? Is it menopause? Is it a hormone imbalance? Am I using the wrong products? Here's the frustrating truth about sensitive skin: There are MANY reasons why you may be experiencing symptoms. Now, that's not to say that there aren't things you can do to seriously help relieve the symptoms of sensitive skin - there absolutely are, and we will discuss them later in the article. But it's also important to understand the role our biology plays in causing sensitive skin, so we can better care for and adapt to our skin's needs in the present.

For example, your skin type can influence whether or not you have sensitive skin. People with a naturally dry skin type in particular are more likely to have sensitive skin, as drier skin lacks a strong skin barrier.8 This is critically important, as a weak skin barrier has been closely linked with sensitive skin.9 While studies are still ongoing as to why this is, a likely reason is that a weak skin barrier doesn't provide the protection your skin needs against the environment, resulting in irritation.

Additionally, hormonal changes can significantly impact your skin sensitivity. During periods of hormonal fluctuations, such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, the skin's natural barrier can become compromised, resulting in heightened sensitivity.10 Along with shifting hormones, the elevated stress that can accompany changes in our hormonal rhythm often exacerbates inflammation and reduces the skin's ability to protect itself from external triggers, making it more prone to redness, dryness, and discomfort.11

Lastly, recent research shows that sensitive skin can be passed down as a genetic trait. This is especially true when we look at skin disorders with genetic components, such as rosacea.12 However, sensitive skin is not only passed down in the form of skin disorders. Other studies show certain genes are associated with increased skin sensitivity. A popular example is a variation in the MC1R gene that causes heightened sensitivity to sunlight and UV radiation. This variant is particularly common in red-heads, and results in the skin having less protection against environmental stressors, making the skin more reactive and prone to sensitivity.13

What In My Environment Could Be Causing Sensitive Skin?

Though there are many biological causes for sensitive skin, there are arguably twice as many environmental factors that contribute to skin sensitivity. And while the biological causes of sensitive skin are fascinating, understanding environmental causes is especially important, as they can often be changed quickly and easily. Just a little tweak to your routine can make a world of difference. I could write an encyclopedia on all the different environmental causes of skin sensitivity, but in summary, here are some of the most common causes of sensitive skin that might be affecting you:

If you have sensitive skin, you probably struggle with contact dermatitis.14 This occurs when your skin comes into contact with an irritating substance, and can result in redness, stinging, pain, swelling, and itching. For people with sensitive skin, contact dermatitis can happen frequently, and be caused by many triggers. Some common culprits include scented soaps, household cleaners, or even nickel jewelry.15 Different people have varying sensitivities to these substances, making it essential to identify and avoid your specific triggers.

Your lifestyle also plays a crucial role in your skin's sensitivity. Smoking, for instance, exposes your skin to harmful chemicals that can cause inflammation and weaken its protective barrier.16 Your diet impacts your skin's health as well. For example, some studies have found consuming foods rich in antioxidants can protect against skin aging and other symptoms of oxidative stress.17 Perhaps most important, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water helps maintain your skin's moisture balance, reducing the risk of irritation.18

Lastly, pollution is a major environmental contributor to skin sensitivity. Airborne pollutants such as smog and dust can settle on your skin, clogging pores and triggering inflammation.19 These pollutants can also generate free radicals, which damage skin cells and weaken your skin's protective barrier.20 Using a skin antioxidant, such as the Stay-C® compound found in our No-Tox Serum, is especially helpful if you find yourself living in an area with airborne pollution.

By being mindful of these environmental factors and making conscious changes, you can create a more supportive environment for your sensitive skin. This proactive approach can lead to a noticeable improvement in your skin's condition and overall comfort.

What You Can Do Today To Alleviate Sensitive Skin

My hope is that reading this article helped you feel that managing sensitive skin is entirely within your reach. By arming yourself with knowledge and adopting the right habits, you can significantly reduce irritation and improve your skin's health. Empowerment starts with understanding, and now that you know more about what influences your skin's sensitivity, you can take proactive steps to care for it. If you're ready to tackle your sensitive skin today, here are some practical steps you can take to reduce irritating sensitive skin symptoms:

1. Ditch your scented laundry detergent: As nice as it is to have our clothing smelling like lavender, scented detergents can be harsh and irritating on the skin.21 I recommend looking for a fragrance-free alternative.
2. Wear gloves when you're cleaning up the house: The chemicals you use to get the kitchen counters clean can be extremely aggravating to the skin, particularly when ingredients like bleach are involved.22 A good pair of rubber gloves is going to be your new best friend when it comes time to tidy the house.
3. Every day is a good day to wear SPF: It's not uncommon for people with sensitive skin to have dryness, a disrupted skin barrier, or a predisposition to sunburn. Because of this, I recommend you wear a daily SPF, even on cloudy days.
4. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize: This tip might seem like a no-brainer, but it's important to mention nonetheless. Moisturizing will help strengthen your skin's barrier and alleviate red, flakey skin. Be sure to moisturize with ingredients that will reach deep into the skin, like the hyaluronic acid & rosehip oil found in our MDD Face Lifting & Skin
Firming Moisturizer.
5. Skip the waterproof makeup: Unless it's a special occasion, people with sensitive skin are better off avoiding waterproof cosmetics. This is because, while waterproof makeup does an excellent job of staying on the skin, it can take a lot of rubbing and scrubbing to wash off. For people with sensitive skin, this can strip the skin of the natural oil you need. Instead, opt for non-waterproof makeup that can be removed with gentle cleansers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, for as common as sensitive skin is, there is still very much that we don't know about it. And while this can make it difficult to explain skin sensitivity, there is a silver lining. No matter what type of skin sensitivity you are experiencing, there are simple, easy steps you can take from the comfort of your own home today to start working towards less skin reactivity. I hope this article created a solid foundation that you can return to help pave the way towards calmer skin. By learning more about your sensitivity, avoiding harsh chemicals, and paying attention to your skin's unique triggers, you can create a more resilient complexion. Remember, understanding and caring for your sensitive skin is a journey, but with patience and the right approach, you can achieve glowing, comfortable skin.

References

1. Study examining the prevalence of skin sensitivity globally: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333183911_The_Prevalence_of_Sensitive_Skin.
2. Healthline article discussing the different causes of sensitive skin, including skin disorders like hives and rosacea: https://www.healthline.com/health/skin-disorders/sensitive-skin#hives.
3. Article discussing 'sensitive skin syndrome,' and how sensitive skin typically is self diagnosed, as many of the symptoms occur without visible clinical signs: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3519246/.
4. Study defining sensitive skin: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26939643/.
5. Medical blog discussing some of the common symptoms associated with sensitive skin: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-sensitive-skin-5085561.
6. Study linking severe dryness to sensitive skin, and discussing the effectiveness of moisturizers in alleviating symptoms: https://ouci.dntb.gov.ua/en/works/4rrLo1G4/.
7. Study in which individuals with sensitive skin report rashes: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1346-8138.12027.
8. Study that discusses how dry skin is associated with a weakened skin barrier: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21146729/.
9. Study that links sensitive skin to a disrupted skin barrier: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00105-011-2209-7.
10. Study that discusses how estrogen and progesterone changes can impact the skin's hydration and barrier function: https://journals.lww.com/obgynsurvey/pages/default.aspx.
11. Study that discusses how stress impacts the epidermal barrier of the skin: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30614527/.
12. Study which finds a genetic link to the skin disease rosacea: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25695682/.
13. Study discussing the MC1R gene: https://www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltext/S0002-9297(07)63782-3?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0002929707637823%3Fshowall%3Dtrue.
14. Academic paper discussing contact dermatitis: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-03827-3_16.
15. WebMD article discussing contact dermatitis in detail, including triggers: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/contact-dermatitis.
16. Study describing how smoking weakens the skin barrier, among other negative effects: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Effect-of-cigarette-smoke-on-skin-Muizzuddin-Marenus/bdcf5b9182c51f1ca253c77a9fe23f7ce7f60900.
17. Article on the effects of antioxidant-rich food extracts on the skin: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780815520290500193?via%3Dihub.
18. Study describing how drinking more water helps to maintain skin hydration: https://www.alies.pt/BBR%20Editions/Vol-10-1-2013/Article4_10n1.pdf.
19. Study discussing how exposure to airborne particulates is associated with skin diseases, including dermatitis and acne: https://particleandfibretoxicology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12989-020-00366-y.
20. Study examining the effects of pollution on the skin: https://ijdvl.com/effects-of-air-pollution-on-the-skin-a-review/.
21. WebMD article discussing common skin irritants, including scented detergent: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/skin-irritants.
22. WebMD article on the do's and don't of sensitive skin: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-sensitive-skin-dos-donts.