What Is Sensitive Skin? Signs, Causes & How to Manage It

What Is Sensitive Skin? Signs, Causes & How to Manage It

Sensitive skin can feel like a mystery—one day your face is calm and glowing, the next it’s red, itchy, and irritated. But what exactly is sensitive skin, and how can you manage it effectively?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down:

  • The key signs of sensitive skin.
  • The common causes behind sensitivity.
  • How to build a skincare routine that protects and soothes.

By the end of this post, you’ll understand whether you have sensitive skin and how to take care of it without triggering irritation.

What Is Sensitive Skin?

Sensitive skin isn’t a medical diagnosis—it’s a term used to describe skin that reacts easily to external factors like skincare ingredients, weather, and environmental aggressors. People with sensitive skin often experience redness, stinging, burning, or dryness after using certain products or being exposed to harsh conditions.

While it’s most common on the face, sensitivity can also affect other areas of the body.

Signs of Sensitive Skin

Not sure if you have sensitive skin? Here are the most common indicators:

✅ Redness & Irritation – Your skin flushes easily and reacts to products with tingling, burning, or itching.
✅ Dryness & Tightness – Your skin often feels parched, even after applying moisturiser.
✅ Frequent Breakouts or Rashes – You develop tiny bumps, rashes, or breakouts from new skincare or environmental factors.
✅ Reactivity to Ingredients – Fragrance, alcohol, and certain preservatives cause immediate discomfort.
✅ Sensitivity to Weather Changes – Heat, cold, wind, or pollution make your skin feel uncomfortable.

If you experience more than one of these symptoms regularly, you likely have sensitive skin.

What Causes Sensitive Skin?

Sensitive skin is influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

🧬 Genetics

If your parents have sensitive skin, there’s a higher chance you will too. Conditions like rosacea, eczema, and dermatitis also have genetic links.

🌎 Environmental Factors

Weather changes – Extreme temperatures can weaken your skin barrier.

Pollution – Airborne irritants can trigger inflammation and breakouts.

UV Exposure – The sun’s rays can exacerbate sensitivity and redness.

🧴 Skincare Products & Ingredients

Many skincare ingredients can irritate sensitive skin, including:
🚫 Fragrances
🚫 Alcohols (like denatured alcohol or SD alcohol)
🚫 Harsh exfoliants (such as strong acids or scrubs)

Related: The Top 10 Irritating Ingredients for Sensitive Skin

🤯 Lifestyle & Stress

Stress, poor sleep, and diet can all contribute to flare-ups and increased sensitivity.

How to Manage Sensitive Skin

The good news? With the right approach, you can keep sensitive skin calm and healthy.

1. Use a Gentle, Minimalist Skincare Routine

Cleanser: A mild, non-foaming cleanser that won’t strip the skin.

Moisturiser: A fragrance-free, barrier-repairing formula (like La Cream).

SPF: A mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

📌 Related: The Best Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin: A Step-by-Step Guide

2. Avoid Common Irritants

Check product labels for fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and hypoallergenic claims.

3. Protect Your Skin Barrier

Look for ingredients like:

Ceramides – Strengthen the skin’s natural barrier.

Chlorella – A powerful antioxidant that soothes redness and promotes skin recovery.

Centella Asiatica – Known for its calming properties.

Related: The Best Skincare Ingredients for Sensitive Skin

4. Be Cautious with New Products

Always patch-test before applying a new product to your face.

5. Adapt Your Routine for the Seasons

Cold weather? Use extra hydration. Hot weather? Go for lightweight, soothing products.

📌 Related: How to Care for Sensitive Skin in Spring & Summer

Final Thoughts

Sensitive skin requires extra care, but by understanding its causes and choosing the right products, you can keep it healthy and resilient.

🔹 Stick to gentle, fragrance-free skincare.
🔹 Protect and strengthen your skin barrier.
🔹 Avoid harsh ingredients and environmental triggers.

For expert-approved, skin-friendly products, explore rêvu’s skincare line—designed specifically for sensitive and reactive skin.

Back to blog