Its so confusing, trying to understand your skin; it’s an absolute minefield out there, no wonder you might be feeling confused and stressed. Are you wondering – what is sensitive skin? Here’s the basics to help you understand what’s going on. Yes you have sensitive skin if:
- your skin tends to react to new products
- it stings when you apply certain creams
- it flares up easily in cold weather or temperature changes
- it feels tight or dry or generally uncomfortable
You are not alone – an estimated 60% of women have sensitive skin, maybe not all the time, but some of the time. And it certainly becomes more sensitive as we get older, and into menopause.
What Is Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive skin isn’t a medical diagnosis—it’s more of a general term used to describe skin that is easily irritated by a variety of triggers. These can include skincare products, environmental factors, stress, and even diet. If you have sensitive skin, you might notice:
- Redness
- Burning or stinging sensations
- Dry patches
- Itching or tightness
- Occasional breakouts or rashes
These symptoms might come and go, or be constant depending on what’s triggering your skin at the time. You may go through a period of sensitivity and then come out the other side, you may always be sensitive – we are all different. My skin was ok until I was about 18 and then it went through a bad patch, was ok in my twenties, but then went awful in my 30’s.
What Causes Sensitive Skin?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all cause, but here are some common reasons why your skin might be more reactive:
- Compromised skin barrier: This is the outermost layer of your skin. When it’s not functioning properly, irritants can sneak in and moisture can escape, leading to sensitivity.
- Your barrier can be damaged by using too many harsh skincare products (see my download on damaging skincare ingredients).
- Environmental stressors: Wind, cold weather, sun exposure, and pollution can all contribute to irritation.
- Underlying skin conditions: Rosacea, eczema, and contact dermatitis often come with increased skin sensitivity.
- Hormonal changes or stress: Yep—your stress levels or hormonal shifts can also mess with your skin’s behavior. And this definitely becomes more of an issue in menopause when our skin becomes thinner.
Is Sensitive Skin the Same as an Allergy?
Not exactly. Allergies usually involve your immune system and tend to cause more severe reactions. Sensitive skin, on the other hand, reacts more easily to irritation, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re allergic to the substance. It’s more of an intolerance.
How Do You Know If You Have Sensitive Skin?
The easiest way to tell: your skin lets you know. If you frequently experience tingling, burning, itching, or redness when using new products, or even with changes in weather, you most likely do have sensitive skin. That said, if you’re unsure, a GP or a dermatologist can help to let you know if you actually have allergies or skin conditions like rosacea or eczema.
What Can You Do About It?
The good news? You can absolutely take care of sensitive skin and keep it happy. Here are a few quick tips:
- Keep your routine simple: Less is definitely more. I’m a huge advocate for getting my customers to use LESS on their faces. It’s the mainstream skincare industry that has us thinking we must use more and more and more, it’s just not true.
- Use gentle, natural, fragrance-free products: Well you are in the right place for that! And if you are looking for essential oil free products, because your skin can’t even tolerate essential oils, then don’t worry, I have a whole section for that.
- Moisturise or use a face oil or balm daily: A strong moisture barrier is your skin’s best defense.
- Patch test new products: Always test on a small area before applying to your whole face. I always put a bit on either the inside of my arm or just below my ear.
- Avoid hot water and over-washing: These can strip your skin and make it more reactive. Having hot showers really does my skin in, I wrote a blog about it.
Don’t worry, be happy
Sensitive skin isn’t a flaw, there’s nothing wrong with you, maybe you just haven’t found the right products yet, but luckily you are here now and I’ve got you. Now if you have decided that you do have sensitive skin, it just means your skin needs a little extra TLC and some very lovely, natural, gentle products. You just need to learn what triggers your skin, avoid harsh ingredients, and using products that support your skin’s natural barrier.
If you need more help, fill in my skincare quiz and I’ll get back to you with some careful and personalised advice. And if you have any comments or questions, just let me know, I am absolutely here to help you. I have THE most insanely sensitive skin, and that’s why I’m the very best person to help you.