Do You Have Sensitive Skin, or Is It Something Else?

Sensitive skin can be hard to describe. And it can be even harder to figure out what’s causing it. But that doesn’t make the experience less real. 

If you’ve had itching, irritation, or burning after using a skin care product, you may have sensitive skin. This does not mean anything is “wrong” with your skin. But something you put on your skin may be wrong for you. 

Many things can make your skin feel sensitive — from irritants in certain products to skin allergies and underlying health conditions. Take a deep dive with us to get to the bottom of why your skin feels sensitive and learn what you can do about it.

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What is sensitive skin?

There’s no one definition of sensitive skin because everyone perceives their own skin in a unique way. In general, sensitive skin can be described as skin that’s easily irritated. 

Symptoms of sensitive skin include: 

• Itching

• Burning

• Pain

• Redness

• Swelling

These symptoms may be related to topical skin care products that usually don’t cause a reaction.

And more and more people report having sensitive skin. Over 6 in 10 women and over half of men report having sensitive skin. 

Women may be more likely to experience sensitive skin for a variety of possible reasons. Their skin is thinner, so it may be more prone to irritation. And women tend to use more products than men, which increases possible exposure to skin irritants. 

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What causes sensitive skin?

There’s no single thing that causes sensitive skin. Just like sensitive skin feels different for different people, the things that trigger it can vary, too. 

Here are some causes to consider:

• Damage to the skin’s protective barrier: The skin works as a guard against outside irritants and toxins, keeping moisture locked within. When that protective barrier cracks, skin is more prone to irritation and moisture loss, triggering dryness, redness, and itching. Many things can damage the skin’s protective barrier.  

• Soaps and cleansers: Despite their marketing, soaps and cleansers often strip the skin of its natural protective coatings and cause it to lose moisture and become more sensitive. This is similar to how dish soap strips dirty dishes of food grease.  

• Exfoliating skin care products: Examples include acids, retinoids, and retinols, which are used to reduce wrinkles and even skin tone. They work by exfoliating the skin, which strips away the top protective layer of the skin. This can help improve how skin looks, but it also can cause skin to become more sensitive. 

• Underlying skin conditions: Skin allergies, eczema, and acne are a few examples of underlying skin conditions that can damage the protective skin barrier and lead to more sensitive skin. 

Why is your skin sensitive? Eczema vs. allergic reactions vs. autoimmune conditions

The feeling of sensitive skin is difficult to ignore. But it can be difficult to know exactly why your skin feels sensitive. And sometimes  sensitive skin can be a sign of an underlying skin issue. Let’s take a closer look at some of these conditions.

Eczema

Over half of people with sensitive skin also have skin eczema. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, commonly starts in childhood. Similar to sensitive skin, it starts with a broken skin barrier. When the barrier is broken, the skin is more vulnerable to toxins and ingredients. It also loses its moisture more easily, so the skin gets dry, scaly, itchy, and sensitive. 

Eczema usually affects these areas: 

• Hands

• Neck 

• Elbows 

• Knees 

All forms of eczema lead to sensitive skin, but not all sensitive skin is caused by eczema.   

Skin allergies (contact dermatitis)

Skin allergies, like allergic contact dermatitis, can look and feel just like sensitive skin. Allergies cause frequent episodes of skin itching, redness, and sometimes blistering. 

Allergic contact dermatitis happens when your immune system recognizes the ingredients in various products as foreign and stages an attack on them. It can happen anywhere on the body that comes in contact with the trigger.

On the other hand, some product ingredients are directly toxic and irritating to the skin without involving an immune system response. The sensitivity caused by such toxins is called irritant contact dermatitis. 

Allergic and irritant dermatitis are more common in adults, and they can be serious. Connect with your healthcare provider if you have episodes of severe face, eyelid, or lip swelling.

Other health conditions

Rarely, sensitive skin is a reflection of what is happening deeper in the body. For example, all forms of diabetes can lead to dry, flaky, and more sensitive skin. Diabetes can also affect your nerves, making the skin feel more sensitive and reactive. Autoimmune conditions and some thyroid conditions can also lead to sensitive skin.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between sensitive skin and something else by yourself. Your healthcare provider can help you figure it out and work with you to develop a treatment plan. 

Are there deficiencies that can cause sensitive skin?

Severe nutrient deficiencies of any kind can cause problems with skin and nail health. These may include protein, zinc, and iron deficiencies, and pretty much any vitamin deficiency. 

But the skin symptoms of these deficiencies will look and feel more obvious than simply having “sensitive skin.” 

Nevertheless, a balanced and nutritious diet is key to healthy skin. Focus on the following foods and nutrients to optimize your skin health:    

• Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C (tomatoes, sweet pepper, kiwi, and citrus fruits) 

• Fruits with polyphenols (grapes, pomegranates, and berries)

• Fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene (cantaloupe, carrots, mangoes, and leafy greens like kale) 

• Soybeans

• Nuts and seeds

• Oily fish

• Water

How do you treat sensitive skin?

Treating sensitive skin often starts with finding out what is causing it. You may want to keep track of what your skin is exposed to and how it reacts. And consider decluttering your skin care routine and cutting down on any known irritants such as acids, retinoids, or exfoliants.  

Here are some other steps you may take on your own to soothe irritated skin:

• Apply cold compresses to decrease swelling and burning.

• Prepare an oatmeal or Epsom salt bath to help repair the skin barrier.

• Take an antihistamine to decrease itchiness.

If you’re still dealing with sensitive skin after these steps, you may want to speak with your healthcare provider for more help. 

Prescription treatments like topical corticosteroids are very helpful to treat skin allergies, irritation, and eczema. But they have some risks if used long term. It’s best to use them only as long as needed. Your healthcare provider can help you understand the benefits and risks, since everyone’s needs are different. 

If you’re concerned about a skin allergy, an allergy test — called a patch test — may be helpful. Patch tests are performed by allergy specialists and can help figure out what you’re allergic to. 

Can you prevent sensitive skin?

One of the best ways to prevent sensitive skin is to be selective with your skin care products. Start by avoiding certain ingredients that are known to irritate skin. 

Fragrances are the most common culprits. Most fragrances are derived from flowers and trees. At first, this sounds great. Flowers and trees are natural, right? But, in this case, natural isn’t always better. A product may advertise as “all natural,” but that does not mean that it is actually good for your skin. For example, poison ivy is natural, but you wouldn’t want to bathe in it. 

Every year, allergy experts from the American Contact Dermatitis Society pick a skin “Allergen of the Year.” They have done this for 20 years to highlight potential allergens that are commonly used in American products. In addition to fragrances, the list includes preservatives (such as methylchloroisothiazolinone / methylisothiazolinone), metals (such as nickel), and hair dyes (like paraphenylenediamine). Limiting your use of products with these ingredients can help prevent sensitive skin. 

Be wary of advertisements for “clean” products. The FDA does not regulate product labels. So manufacturers may write attractive slogans or phrases on the label that don’t represent the ingredients inside. So it’s better to know which ingredients can irritate your skin.

And it also helps to get familiar with brands that avoid potential skin allergens and irritants in their products. Some examples include:

• La Roche Posay

• Cerave

• Cetaphil

• Eucerin

• Vanicream

• VMV Hypoallergenics 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Alina Goldenberg, MD, MAS, FAAD

Alina Goldenberg, MD, MAS, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in San Diego. She is also an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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