Sensitive Skin: Causes, Care Tips & Treatment Guide – Plum

What is sensitive skin and what are its causes?

Let’s begin by understanding how dermatologists define sensitive skin.

According to the International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI), sensitive skin refers to “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.”

Thus, skin sensitivity is the heightened reaction of your skin to external factors and not a skin disease.

Here are the top causes of sensitive skin:

1. Allergens:

Some ingredients, formulas, plant extracts, and even fragrances can react with your sensitive skin, causing irritation

2. Environmental aggressors:

Constant exposure to aggressors like the sun, pollution, heat, or cold, can weaken your skin’s barrier and lead to sensitive skin.

3. Dehydration and dryness:

Dehydration in your body and skin cells can also cause sensitivity and dryness. Similarly, exposure to excess colder temperatures for longer duration, like AC can aggravate skin sensitivity due to dryness.

4. Hormones:

The level of hormones in your body can determine the sensitivity of your skin. This is why skin sensitivity can differ in males and females.

5. Age:

As you grow older, the elasticity and thickness of your skin are reduced due to the reduction of collagen and elastin in your dermis. This makes the skin more prone to irritation and bruising.

6. Skin tone:

Dark skin tone is richer in melanin than fairer skin tone. Since melanin is your skin’s natural sun protection, people with fair skin are more susceptible to sunburn, which is also a reason for increased skin sensitivity.

How do you identify if your skin is sensitive?

Heightened skin sensitivity results in excess oil secretion, breakouts, inflammations, redness, etc.

Thankfully, modern skincare products are now formulated with active ingredients that target these symptoms. Here are a few ingredients that you can check for on the labels while adding a new product to your routine.

Niacinamide
Hyaluronic acid
Squalene
Turmeric
Aloe vera
Ceramides
Green tea

A mix of science-backed active ingredients and trusted natural ingredients, the consistent application of these can help reduce your skin’s sensitivity and reactivity.

Skincare routine for sensitive skin

Here’s a simple AM/PM skincare routine for sensitive skin for healthy, glowing skin:

1. Cleanser to clean:

Begin by washing your face with a gentle cleanser. You can use a mild ceramide-infused cleanser to soothe your skin right from the first step and strengthen your skin’s barrier.

Massage gently to get rid of any dirt, oil, or product residue, and rinse. Pat dry gently with a soft towel.

2. Toner to prep:

A toner is the underdog of a skincare routine. A suitable toner helps maintain the pH of your skin while preparing it for the next steps and makeup.

Additionally, a toner with active ingredients like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid can give your skin that additional boost of hydration, further, supporting the repair process of your skin barrier.

A toner with the right ingredients is a boon in a bottle for sensitive skin. Spritz a generous amount of toner, right after your cleanser, allowing it to absorb.

3. Serum to treat:

Serums are the most effective way of treating ailing skin as they are both concentrated and regulated with the ability to penetrate deep into the inner layers of your skin.

Formulas with active ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C can strengthen your skin barrier while fighting acne, dark spots, post-inflammatory pigmentation, and sun damage, giving you blemish-free glowing skin.

Take a few drops of face serum as per your skin type and concern and gently pat it all over your face.

Use a face essence right before your serum, to boost its efficacy and ensure long-lasting hydration in your skin.

However, do a patch test before to prevent any adverse effects.

4. Moisturizer to hydrate:

Since dryness is an acute trigger to skin sensitivity, it is imperative to keep the moisture levels of your skin cells replenished at all times.

If you have dry skin, topical use of a moisturizer with ceramides and active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, which are hydrating and anti-inflammatory will help keep your skin moisture-locked and soothed.

For oily skin, opt for a gel-based niacinamide cream to regulate oil production and prevent breakouts while ensuring intense hydration.

Using night creams with active ingredients like ceramides, green tea extract, and vitamin E, in your night care regimen will aid your skin’s natural process of repair overnight.

Consistent use of a potent night cream gives you a strengthened skin barrier with reduced reactivity.

Meanwhile, drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep yourself further hydrated.

5. Sunscreen to sun-protect:

During the day, sunscreens are non-negotiable, even if you are indoors. Sun damage causes sensitive skin thus, always use a broad spectrum sunscreen with 30 SPF or more to keep your delicate skin protected from harmful UV rays.

You can opt for formulas with active ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, and squalene that ensure an increased efficacy of the sun protection formula to give you all-around protection from the blazing sun.

Lifestyle tips to manage sensitive skin

In addition to dedicated consistent skincare, here are a few tips that will help you care for your sensitive skin better:

1. Always do a patch test before incorporating any new product into your routine.

If you have sensitive skin, always start with a patch test on the inner side of your arm or wrist before you apply a product on your face, to check the suitability of a product on your skin.

2. Start with lower concentrations of active ingredients

When newly adding an active ingredient to your skin, always start with a lower concentration and work your way up, as needed.

3. Avoid using extremely hot/ cold water on your skin

Very hot water can strip off your skin from its natural oils while very cold water cannot cleanse your skin or unclog pores to get rid of impurities. Both lead to increased skin sensitivity. Thus, lukewarm water is the best choice for sensitive skin.

4. Avoid sharing your makeup products or towels.

Makeup and makeup brushes are major sources of cross-contamination, which can lead to skin infections.

Dirty brushes can also harbor bacteria, so ensure to clean them regularly. Moreover, avoid sharing your hair brushes, towels, and makeup brushes to minimize infection risks.

5. Avoid rubbing your skin

Friction is also a trigger to skin sensitivity. Thus, scrubbers might not be the ideal skincare product for someone with sensitive skin.

Instead, opt for a gentle cleanser with a lower dose of glycolic acid that will deep cleanse your pores, eliminating the need for physical scrubbing. Even while drying your face, dab gently instead of rubbing.

6. Reduce sun exposure with sunscreen

Avoiding excessive exposure to the sun is good for all skin types as the harmful UV rays can cause varied issues like sunburn, skin sensitivity, photoaging, hyperpigmentation, etc. Meanwhile, during the day, always layer your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to ensure maximum protection.

7. Stay hydrated

Regular use of an intense moisturizer and adequate water intake can give you significant relief from sensitive skin.

8. Use non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free products

Your skin can be allergic to some ingredients, fragrances, and even metals. Sensitive skin has even shown signs of reaction to strongly scented soaps, moisturizers, etc. Thus, avoid products with strong fragrances, colors, or chemicals. It is also best to avoid products that can clog your pores or irritate your skin.

Sensitive skin can be easily managed with the right skincare routine, product choice, and lifestyle tweaks.

The key is identifying and avoiding irritants in your lifestyle while using skincare that not only calms heightened skin reactivity but also treats symptoms while preventing underlying causes.

FAQs:

What are the 4 types of sensitive skin?

There are 4 types of sensitive skin- acne, rosacea, stinging, and allergic.

What would cause skin sensitivity?

There are many reasons for your skin sensitivity like sun exposure, pollution, allergens, friction, wrong choice of products, etc.

How do I know my skin is sensitive?

To identify sensitive skin, check for unnatural skin dryness, breakouts, redness, itching, burning sensations, inflammations, and allergic reactions like rashes.