What is sensitive skin and how to treat it

Sensitive skin is a skin condition in which the skin reacts extremely to both internal and external stimuli and can be treated through an appropriate skincare routine and specific products.

Multiple factors that influence skin sensitization contribute to causing this skin condition. Sensitive or sensitized skin can be recognized through certain particular symptoms or blemishes that can be annoying or even dangerous and that need to be treated or alleviated specifically.

After all, the skin is subjected to numerous factors that can over time affect its natural defenses and that can act both externally and internally. For this reason, it is essential to establish a proper skincare routine suited to your skin type and personalized.

In this brief guide, we discover how sensitive skin presents itself and how to recognize it in order to treat it properly.

What does it mean to have sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin is a skin condition characterized by an excessive reaction to external stimuli. Skin sensitivity can be identified by various signs and symptoms that may appear permanently or temporarily depending on the case, such as redness, a tendency to dryness, or even itching, irritation, or flaking in more extreme cases.

Based on certain characteristics or origin, it is possible to distinguish between:

• Sensitive skin conditioned by genetic factors, more common in women and people with a light phototype;
• Sensitized skin which, although healthy skin, can occasionally or permanently show signs of sensitivity due to external agents, such as environmental factors, pollution, a cosmetic product, or even an inappropriate aesthetic treatment, but also due to internal factors such as stress, hormonal fluctuations, or a weakened immune system.

These two conditions are very different and need to be treated specifically.

How to recognize sensitive skin

The main signs to recognize sensitive skin concern redness, skin spots, itching, burning sensations caused by certain products, visible redness, and generally instant reactions to touch or environmental changes.

There are multiple symptoms that help recognize sensitive or sensitized skin:

• Red, swollen, and itchy skin;
• Redness without swelling;
• Skin that itches or burns;
• Rashes or hives;
• Dry skin that tends to crack;
• Dry and hard spots on the skin.

It should also be noted that depending on the underlying cause of sensitive skin, symptoms can present in various ways. The most common causes of sensitive skin are:

• Contact dermatitis, a very common form that causes a rash forming after exposure to an irritating chemical or a physical agent that damages the skin’s protective outer layer. It can be either irritant or allergic to an irritating chemical or other substance.
• Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, a chronic condition that can flare periodically where the skin becomes rough and inflamed.

Having dry skin can often lead to experiencing symptoms of sensitive skin because storing less moisture in the skin reduces protection from external irritants. Rosacea is also a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can lead to sensitive skin.

What can be the causes of sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin often flares up following exposure to heat or excessively hot water: some disinfectant products, laundry detergents, or other factors that can damage the outer layer of the skin.

Heat, humidity, sweat, jewelry, or even certain foods including dairy or eggs, can lead to eczema problems and then sensitive skin. Most of the time identifying the direct cause of sensitive skin is very difficult and it becomes essential to consult a dermatologist or see a specialist.

Sometimes, sensitive skin can be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs careful evaluation. In general, factors that can cause sensitive skin can also be linked to behaviors along with some specific problems.

Factors causing sensitive skin include: 

• Allergies to ingredients, jewelry metals, foods;
• Excessive exfoliation;
• Excess caffeine or alcohol;
• Skin diseases like eczema or psoriasis;
• Hormonal changes such as menopause;
• Health problems and taking medications;
• UV damage;
• Environmental stress factors such as pollution or harsh, dry, humid climate, etc.;
• Lack of sleep;
• Smoking;
• Going to bed with makeup;
• Following a diet low in vitamins and having an unhealthy lifestyle.

Precisely because sensitive skin often becomes so due to wrong habits, it is often recommended to avoid very hot showers, choose gentle and non-irritating products, protect the skin with moisturizer and sunscreen, avoid using perfumes or scented products, and adopt a more balanced lifestyle, avoiding stress, smoking, and alcohol.

How to treat sensitive or sensitized skin

Sensitive skin is particularly reactive and needs to be treated with functional ingredients specifically designed to act with effectiveness and gentleness. Besides avoiding the causes of sensitive skin we have seen, it is necessary to follow a skincare protocol that can calm the skin from within and especially help it strengthen its natural defenses.

Sensitive skin is weakened skin, and it is necessary to use functional products capable of strengthening the skin barrier, calming reactivity, and reducing signs of hyperactivity.

The key to keeping the skin calm is to avoid reactions by carefully choosing functional ingredients and skincare products.

For cleansing, it is essential to prefer lukewarm water and opt for a mousse cleanser rich in soothing and moisturizing agents that respect the skin's balance, such as Cleansing Detox Mousse, which removes all traces of makeup and impurities while soothing and hydrating thanks to the extract of Mallow and Calendula, and Hydromanil that protects the skin's natural bacterial barrier.

The ideal face serum for dry skin can contain hyaluronic acid and anti-inflammatory extracts such as turmeric extract found in the balancing face serum Vitis Cell Serum, which is also a powerful antioxidant. Additionally, it’s good to strengthen the skin to protect it from the harmful effects of pollution: the illuminating face serum Licoglow contains a pollution-fighting algae extract and the precious lycopene that protects fibroblasts.

Sensitive skin in particular, but all skin types, need broad-spectrum sun protection to prevent sunburn and harmful skin irritations. Harmful sun rays and pollution cause premature skin aging, weaken it, and dull it, leaving it dehydrated and therefore damaged and more prone to irritation and sensitization. It’s best to apply a good sunscreen.

Hydration is the key to always having healthy and radiant skin: the ideal face cream for sensitive skin is rich and nourishing but not heavy. Nutralight is the first face cream that nourishes and protects at the same time while keeping the skin balanced.

The problem of sensitive skin can be solved through a skincare protocol tailored to your needs. Don’t hesitate to contact your trusted pharmacy or request a free consultation to discover the products best suited to your skin type.