Sensitive Skin: Hard to Care For, Hard to Please

Skin can become sensitive for many reasons and at any stage of life, from childhood to old age. It happens when the skin barrier weakens, leaving the skin easily penetrated by external factors. A slight change in the weather, a household pet, stress or even dust can be enough to trouble sensitive skin. This skin type often cannot tolerate many cosmetics. Vulnerable skin tends to react in unpredictable ways and can flare up anywhere on the body. Join Lunaria for an in-depth look at sensitive skin and how to care for it effectively.

Sensitive Skin: An Overview

Sensitive skin is skin that is easily irritated, showing tightness, redness, itching, stinging and a burning sensation. This happens because the skin barrier has weakened against external factors such as weather, environmental changes and the chemicals found in cosmetics.

Easily irritated skin can occur on many different areas of the body, such as the hands, face and scalp. That is why people with this skin type always need to be careful when trying new skincare products or when the seasons change.

According to the International Forum for the Study of Itch (2017) and the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (2019), sensitive skin is defined as the occurrence of unpleasant sensations (stinging, burning, pain, itching) in response to an external stimulus that would not cause them in people with healthy skin. These symptoms cannot be explained by any other skin condition.

When your skin keeps overreacting to its environment, you end up racking your brain over how to change your daily habits and skincare routine to ease those uncomfortable sensations. Sometimes these signs last only a few hours and then disappear. Unfortunately, though, you may still have to live with them for life.

What Causes Sensitive Skin?

Understanding the causes helps us find an effective way to care for sensitive skin. Skin sensitivity is usually caused by a combination of external and internal factors.

1. INTERNAL CAUSES

– Congenitally sensitive skin:

caused by disturbances in certain biological functions. In this case, the nerve fibres react instantly when the skin is exposed to one or more irritants, leading to a range of sensitivity symptoms. Congenital sensitivity tends to be permanent and cannot be cured completely.

– Acquired sensitivity:

• Age: in newborns, thin skin and a limited skin barrier make them very sensitive to chemical, physical and bacterial influences. Conversely, as skin ages, all of its building blocks, the function of the hydrolipid film and the protective acid mantle decline. This leads to a pH imbalance and increased water loss. As a result, aging skin becomes sensitive to highly alkaline products such as soap.
• Sensitivity caused by hormonal imbalance: Stress, as well as pregnancy, menstruation, puberty or menopause, can reduce the effectiveness of the skin barrier.
• Reactions to fragrances and colourants: Negative skin reactions to colourants and perfumes make the skin sensitive and irritated. This is especially likely in people with dry or damaged skin, or those with other skin conditions.
• Food allergies: Allergies to foods such as sugar, dairy, additives and eggs. If not diagnosed and treated in time, they can lead to inflammation and rashes on sensitive skin.
• Dehydration and lack of water: Sweating too much or not getting enough water leaves sensitive skin dry and flaky.

2. EXTERNAL CAUSES:

• Sensitivity caused by changing weather: Weather, seasonal and temperature changes can all increase skin sensitivity. In cold weather, the glands in the skin secrete less of the substances needed to maintain the protective acid mantle, which leads to dry skin. Heaters and air conditioners can cause the same problem. In hot weather, the skin sweats more, which also dries it out.
• Overusing soap and cleansers makes skin sensitive: Using a lot of soap and cleansers containing surfactants can significantly damage the skin's surface, strip away its protective lipids and upset its natural pH balance.
• The effects of certain medical treatments: Some medical treatments, such as X-ray therapy and certain medications, can also make the skin temporarily sensitive. This goes away once the treatment ends.

Signs of Sensitive Skin and How to Recognise Them

You may be unsure whether your skin is truly sensitive, simply reacting temporarily to a cosmetic, or flaking because it is dehydrated. It is easy to see that skin prone to redness and stinging has a lot in common with dry skin. In fact, dry skin is the first stage on the way to becoming sensitive skin. Let's go over the signs of sensitive skin so you can care for it properly.

Sensitive Skin Flushes Easily

Skin that reddens easily is a common sign of easily irritated skin. Redness can be caused by genetics, rosacea or the skin's reaction to certain skincare ingredients. So when choosing cosmetics, check the ingredients carefully. When caring for sensitive skin, avoid products with strong active ingredients and choose gentle formulas made for skin prone to redness and stinging.

Prone to Rashes

Sensitive skin is characterised by easy irritation, with signs such as rashes, redness and swelling. These appear after contact with something that affects the skin, which may be an unsuitable skincare product. The rash shows up right after contact, feels uncomfortable and detracts from the overall look of the face.

Cosmetics That Sting, Itch and Burn

When you use makeup or skincare products containing harsh ingredients, you may immediately feel stinging and burning on your skin. This is because people with sensitive skin have a thinner protective epidermis, which lets harmful ingredients in cosmetics penetrate more easily. That is why choosing gentle products that are safe for sensitive skin is the right choice.

Just one unsuitable product can leave your skin irritated for anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Sensitive skin needs very careful attention so that it doesn't become uncomfortable.

Dry, Flaky Skin

Dry, flaky skin is also a sign of sensitive skin. Dryness can make sensitive skin even more reactive, because dry skin loses its protective ability and cannot hold the moisture it needs on its surface. In cold, dry weather, facial skin can flake and even peel, leading to a range of other skin problems.

Visible Capillaries

Dilated capillaries, where the small blood vessels on the face swell or widen, are another sign of easily irritated skin. This usually appears on areas where the skin is thin, less elastic and easily damaged, such as the tip of the nose, the cheeks, the area in front of the jawbone and the temples.

Easily Irritated When the Weather Changes

Sensitive skin reacts easily to changes in weather and environment, and weather-related reactions show up visibly on the body. Whether it is hot, cold or humid, if you have sensitive skin, it will immediately "speak up".

Sensitive to Sunlight

Another sign of sensitive skin is that it is easily irritated by UV rays. When you are exposed to the sun without protection or sunscreen, your skin turns red and then darkens. If your skin is already irritated or peeling, the risk of damage from ultraviolet rays is very high.

Breakouts That "Explode"

Another way to recognise sensitive skin is that it breaks out easily. Dry skin gets irritated easily, so it produces more oil to make up for the lack of moisture. This clogs pores and leads to acne.

Steps for Caring for Sensitive Skin in Your Skincare Routine

Caring for sensitive skin is a very important process. It requires careful attention to the order and the way you carry out each step. Let's go through the steps for caring for sensitive skin.

Makeup Removal

Sensitive skin should be cleansed of makeup twice a day, morning and evening, before washing your face. Remove makeup very gently: soak a cotton pad with just enough micellar water and wipe lightly over the area you want to clean. Choose products with gentle ingredients that help reduce inflammation and irritation, and avoid products containing fragrance, colourants or chemicals that may irritate the skin.

Deep Cleansing with a Facial Cleanser

Cleansing is an important step in caring for sensitive skin. For deep cleansing to be safe and effective, your cleanser should be gentle, with simple, benign ingredients and no exfoliating beads. The tiny particles in some cleansers can cause friction and damage sensitive skin. Also, massage gently so the skin can relax, and avoid scrubbing hard, which can thin and scratch the skin.

A Balancing Toner for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin does well with gentle, water-based toners. Make sure they are alcohol-free and avoid harsh cleansing agents. Instead, choose benign ingredients with soothing properties, which help calm inflammation and irritation on your skin.

Targeted Serums for Sensitive Skin

Serums are an important part of a sensitive skin routine. They boost the effectiveness of your skincare and help the skin recover. By choosing the right serum, you can address sensitivity issues, not only reducing irritation but also leaving your skin smooth and radiant.

Hydrating Sensitive Skin

Keep sensitive skin hydrated to avoid dryness and flaking. This matters most in winter, when giving the skin enough moisture is essential. Hydration is an indispensable step in caring for skin prone to redness and stinging. Use a mineral water mist whenever your skin feels dry, and apply a moisturiser for sensitive skin every day.

Sunscreen

UV rays in sunlight are a serious threat to every skin type, and especially to weaker skin such as easily irritated skin. So before you go out, always remember to apply sunscreen suited to sensitive skin. When choosing a sunscreen, prioritise physical (mineral) sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher. Physical sunscreens are usually better suited to sensitive skin than chemical ones.

Below is a basic routine for easily irritated skin, featuring products recommended by Lunaria for your reference:

The first steps

And the following care steps

Things to Keep in Mind to Reduce Irritation in Sensitive Skin

Caring for sensitive skin is never easy, especially when you were born with it. However, you can minimise irritation by following these tips:

1. Always patch-test products on a small area first

Before using a new product on your whole face, you should "test" it. Apply a small amount to the thin skin on the inside of your arm and observe it for 48 hours. If no signs of allergy appear on that area, you can use it with peace of mind.

2. Remove makeup thoroughly every day

Whatever your skin type, removing makeup every day is always essential. For sensitive skin, makeup removal not only cleans the skin but also helps it absorb nutrients better from the skincare steps that follow.

3. Change your bathing habits

Avoid bathing too often in hot water and rubbing your skin, as this strips away the natural moisturising factors and lipids on the skin's surface. Small changes to your bathing habits can help rebuild the skin barrier. For example, lower the water temperature, avoid long showers or soaks, use gentle shower oils and pat your skin dry.

4. Drink plenty of water

Hydrate your skin from within by drinking enough water every day. This simple habit not only helps flush out toxins but also improves your skin from the inside, reducing roughness and cracking.

5. Stay away from anti-aging products

People with sensitive skin should avoid anti-aging ingredients. Products containing glycolic acid, AHAs and retinol can irritate and damage sensitive skin. Instead, to keep your skin youthful and healthy, moisturise regularly with products containing gentle, soothing ingredients.

6. Use sunscreen every day

Make daily sunscreen a habit to prevent the harmful effects of the sun. This is especially important for people with sensitive skin, because sunlight can weaken the skin's natural barrier. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply every 2 hours.

7. Build a healthy diet

Recent nutrition research suggests that eating more antioxidant-rich foods such as vitamin C, along with less starch and saturated fat, may help support the recovery of sensitive skin. Limit spicy, fatty foods as well as foods with lots of additives (sugar, MSG) to keep sensitive skin from getting worse.

That covers the basics of sensitive skin. We hope this article has given you plenty of useful tips for choosing the right products for sensitive skin. Don't forget to follow our other articles for more interesting insights.