Do you suffer from overly sensitive skin?
If so, you may worry about trying a new skincare product or wonder how your skin will react to a stressful event. You may feel like your skin is on high alert all the time, and suffer from a type of chronic stress because of it.
Let’s look at what causes this type of skin disorder and how you can manage it.
What Is Overly Sensitive Skin?
Overly sensitive skin (or severely sensitive skin) overreacts to triggers that usually don’t bother other people. In a 2021 study, researchers described it this way:
“Sensitive skin or cutaneous sensory syndrome is defined as a skin condition that is hypersensitive to stimuli, presenting with itching, irritant, erythema, and dryness.”
Scientists believe that this condition may be a manifestation of a variety of other disorders, like psoriasis and rosacea and other chronic inflammatory skin conditions, as well as other factors such as psychological stress and immune dysfunction.
Overly sensitive skin reacts to a variety of triggers, including the following.
Environmental Factors
Changes in the weather and humidity or exposure to extreme temperatures can exacerbate sensitive skin. Cold weather, for example, strips moisture from your skin, which may make it more reactive. Hot, humid weather can increase sweat and oil production, leading to redness, inflammation, and irritation.
Skincare Products
Ingredients in skincare products—particularly those made with harsh chemicals—can irritate overly sensitive skin. Problematic ingredients include fragrances, alcohols, harsh exfoliants, retinoids, sulfates, preservatives, and dyes. Even some essential oils like lavender, tea tree, and peppermint can cause reactions in some people with overly sensitive skin.
Allergies
If you’re allergic to pollen, food, certain materials, fragrances, and other items, your skin may react to these with redness, swelling, hives, and rashes.
Stress
There is a direct link between the brain and the skin, creating a pathway that sends messages back and forth. Stress also releases hormones that increase inflammation and disrupt your skin’s barrier, leaving you more vulnerable to flare-ups.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal fluctuations—such as those you may experience during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause—can impact skin sensitivity.
Diet
Certain foods and drinks, like caffeine, alcohol, or spicy foods, can trigger skin reactions in some people.
Symptoms of Overly Sensitive Skin
The symptoms of overly sensitive skin vary from person to person, but commonly include:
Redness: Persistent redness or flushing, often triggered by exposure to irritants or changes in temperature.
Itching: This can range from the occasional itching sensation to a more constant, severe itching.
Burning sensation: A burning or stinging feeling, especially after applying certain products or exposure to environmental triggers.
Dryness: Excessive dryness or flakiness, which can make other related symptoms worse.
Tightness: A feeling of tightness or discomfort, as if the skin is stretched too much.
Why Do I Have Overly Sensitive Skin?
As to why some people struggle with sensitive skin while others don’t, there could be many explanations.
Genetics
Sensitivity can run in families. If your parents or siblings have overly sensitive skin, you may be more likely to have it too.
Underlying Conditions
Certain skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, acne, or psoriasis are associated with increased sensitivity. These conditions often lead to inflammation and a more reactive skin barrier.
Studies show, for example, that the odds of having sensitive skin are 2.5 times greater in patients with acne, and 3.7 times greater in those with psoriasis. Underlying immune problems, as well, may lead to overly sensitive skin.
Medical Conditions
If you’re going through an extensive illness, such as cancer, it is common for your skin to become more sensitive than it was. Medical conditions such as obesity and diabetes can create the same outcome.
Skin Barrier Function
Sensitive skin often indicates a compromised skin barrier. This is the outer layer that retains moisture and protects the skin against environmental aggressors. If this barrier is weak, it becomes more vulnerable to irritants.
Age
As we age, our skin loses its ability to retain moisture and repair itself as effectively. This may lead to increased sensitivity.
Lifestyle Factors
Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet can all weaken the skin barrier and lead to overly sensitive skin.
Managing and Treating Overly Sensitive Skin
You may not be able to cure your overly sensitive skin, but you can take steps to manage it and make it less likely to react. We have some tips that can help.
Simplify Your Skincare Routine
Less is often more for sensitive skin. Stick to a basic routine with a gentle cleanser, fragrance-free moisturizer, and if needed, a mild sunscreen. Avoid using too many products or switching them too frequently.
We formulated our CV Skinlabs products specifically for sensitive skin. They are all fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and clinically proven to help soothe inflammation, reduce redness, restore the outer barrier, and promote healing. Try using our Rescue + Relief Spray as a calming, redness-reducing, itch-quelling toner, then follow with our Calming Moisture (for face) and Body Repair Lotion (for body) every day, twice a day.
Patch Test New Products
Before you apply a new product all over your face or body, always test it on a small patch of skin first. This can help you identify any potential reactions without risking a full-blown flare-up.
Choose Products Wisely
Look for clean beauty products that are hypoallergenic and made for sensitive skin. Helpful ingredients include aloe vera, chamomile, ceramides, and glycerin. Avoid those with alcohol, synthetic fragrances, and harsh exfoliants.
You can gain peace of mind when you choose CV Skinlabs products. All of our formulas were thoroughly researched, formulated, and tested by a team of ingredient and development experts, holistic chemists, leading dermatologists, and a toxicologist to be sure they worked with the skin’s natural biology and helped soothe sensitive skin.
Stay Hydrated
Moisture is extremely important to all skin types, but specifically for sensitive skin. In addition to regularly moisturizing from the outside in, drink plenty of water to support your skin’s health from the inside. It also helps to use a humidifier in dry climates.
Protect Your Skin
Use sunscreen every day to protect against UV damage, which can make sensitivity worse. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, preferably with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Protect with clothing, umbrellas, and sunglasses as well.
Manage Stress
Stress can exacerbate sensitive skin, so try to incorporate regular stress-relieving activities into your daily routine. Good options include yoga, meditation, deep-breathing exercises, journaling, and spending time with pets and loved ones.
You Can Make Overly Sensitive Skin More Comfortable
Having sensitive skin can be challenging, but understanding your triggers and adopting a thoughtful skincare routine can make a difference. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to consult with a dermatologist.
How do you manage overly sensitive skin?
Featured image by Teona Swift via Pexels.