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20 Common Questions About Sensitive Skin

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1. What is sensitive skin?

Many people say they have sensitive skin because:

Certain skin care products, or household products that contact their skin, cause stinging, burning, redness, and/or tightness.
Although they have no visible effects after contact with a product, it always makes their skin feel uncomfortable.

Dermatologists, doctors specializing in skin, consider the diagnosis of sensitive skin when they:

See skin reactions such as pustules, skin bumps, and/or skin erosion.
Observe excessively dry skin, which doesn’t adequately protect nerve endings on the skin and may lead to skin reactions from cosmetics or skin care products.
Notice a tendency to blushing and skin flushing, which may also be signs of sensitive skin.

reflection of woman in mirror

2. How do I know if I have sensitive skin?

Have your skin examined by a dermatologist. That’s the most certain way to find out if you have sensitive skin, or if there is another cause for your skin condition.

3. What causes sensitive skin reactions?

Causes of sensitive skin reactions include:

Underlying skin disorders or allergic skin reactions related to immune system dysfunction such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), urticaria (hives), rosacea, or allergic contact dermatitis.
Overly dry or injured skin that can no longer protect nerve endings, leading to skin reactions.
Excessive exposure to skin-damaging environmental factors such as sun and wind, or excessive heat or cold.
Less well defined are genetic factors and age, gender, and race differences in skin sensitivity. For example, a type of eczema called nummular dermatitis is most commonly found in men over age 60.

4. Are there medical tests for sensitive skin?

Patch testing may identify hives, general itchiness, or eczema as signs of allergies that are causing or contributing to sensitive skin. Otherwise it is difficult for doctors to test for sensitive skin because of the many and varied factors that can cause it.

5. Should men be concerned about sensitive skin?

The look of healthy skin is just as attractive in men as in women -- and more men are realizing it. Maybe that’s why dermatologists report that increasing numbers of men are seeking diagnosis and treatment for sensitive skin these days.

6. What are some tips for caring for my sensitive skin, especially for my face?

Cleansing. Dermatologists say that people’s sensitive skin responds differently to different cleansing methods. But most agree that “deodorant” soap or highly fragranced soap contains strong detergents and should not be used on the face. Soap-free cleansers such as mild cleansing bars and sensitive-skin bars, along with most liquid facial cleansers, have a lower pH than soaps. They have less potential for facial skin irritation, along with cleansing creams and disposable facial washcloths.

Moisturizing. These products help your skin retain moisture so it resists drying and abrasion. See guidelines to choosing skin care products for your sensitive skin below.

Cosmetics. See guidelines to selecting cosmetics for your sensitive skin below.