Sensitivity

By now we’ve all seen enough examples to know that two people can have very different experiences doing the same thing. You and your friend try out the hot new happy hour spot and the menu tastes fantastic to you but nasty to her. After happy hour you catch a show which your friend loves but to you, it’s an assault to your ears. Well, the same thing is true for skin – a product that works fantastically for someone else could leave your skin pink and angry. If that’s happening to you often, it could mean you have sensitive skin.

What is Sensitive Skin?

Sensitive skin is basically what it sounds like – your skin gets easily irritated or inflamed, or it breaks out in bumps and pustules. And we’re not talking about things that are irritants to almost everyone like poison ivy. Sensitive skin typically means your skin is reacting to things that aren’t irritating to most people, or that it’s reacting more strongly than normal to things that are usually just slightly irritating.

Why Do I Have Sensitive Skin?

Usually the answer to this is just the luck of the draw. Genetics play a role, and some people’s skin is just naturally more reactive than others. But your sensitivity could also be caused by an underlying skin condition like eczema or rosacea. Dry skin is more sensitive too because when skin is dry you don’t have as strong of a protective barrier, so dryness could cause sensitivity too.

Why is My Skin More Sensitive Some Days Than Others?

For some people, it’s easy to learn what will and won’t make their sensitive skin throw a tantrum. For others, though, it’s more inconsistent. You’re not losing your mind, it is entirely possible that that mask worked fine for you a few weeks ago but irritates your skin today, and there are several reasons why that might be.

As we mentioned, dryness makes your skin more sensitive. Anything that can make your skin drier – like dry air in the fall and winter, spending too much time in a hot shower, or slacking on your moisturizer – can also make your skin more sensitive. Another common reason for variation is that sometimes a reaction can happen when two triggers combine. For example, that skin mask might normally be fine on your skin. But today it happens to be really cold outside which is making your skin just slightly more irritated already, so when you add in the face mask, it’s enough to launch a full-scale reaction.

What Can I Do About My Sensitive Skin?

In some cases, you can actually make your skin less sensitive. If the sensitivity comes from an underlying skin condition, getting treatment for that condition from your dermatologist can get your condition more under control so it doesn’t create as much sensitivity. Building more hydration into your skin care routine can lower your sensitivity too if you have dry skin.

Other than these steps, though, it’s mostly a matter of managing your sensitivity by avoiding products that tend to trigger it. The safest bet is always to use skin care products that are labeled as safe for sensitive skin.