How to Know If You Have Sensitive Skin and What to Do About It

Many of us have experienced episodes of skin discomfort such as burning, itchiness, or redness without understanding the root cause. Knowing if you have sensitive skin is imperative when building a skincare routine that reduces flare ups.

At Honest, we understand how vital it is to protect and nourish your skin. Keep reading, and we’ll help you learn how to determine if you have sensitive skin, and how to best care for it.

Sensitive skin is a common issue that many will experience at some point in their life. Some from childhood, taking daily precautions to avoid exacerbating it or triggering a flare-up. However, others may experience skin sensitivity in response to a major health change, medications, sunburn, or exposure to certain products. Sensitized skin can occur any time the skin barrier is compromised; however, using gentle products can help shorten the cycle or reduce the symptoms of flare-ups.

It’s easy to confuse sensitive skin with dry skin because they may occur at the same time, and can be due to a compromised skin barrier. Our skin barrier is essential to not only decreasing water loss from the skin, but also preventing the penetration of external aggressors into the skin. If the skin barrier is compromised, someone may experience dry skin due to the higher level of transepidermal water loss. Additionally, the compromised barrier allows external aggressors like pollution and allergens to penetrate into the skin which may lead to underlying inflammation, thus leading to increased sensitivity. For this reason, dry skin and sensitive skin often occur concurrently, but that does not mean that all dry skin is sensitive or sensitive skin is always dry (it can be normal, oily, combination, and acne prone as well!).

Dry skin is often characterized by how it looks and how it feels. Dry skin can appear more dull, fine lines and wrinkles may look more visible, and most notable is the presence of flaking and peeling. Dry skin may also feel tight with minimal burning or itching. Dry skin may flare up based on the season or during extreme weather changes.

Sensitive skin, on the other hand, will often have visible redness, sometimes in the form of a rash or distinct pattern. And unlike dry skin, will have a much stronger burning and itching sensation, sometimes feeling hot to the touch. If you experience sensitive skin, you may notice that exposure to specific ingredients, like fragrance, or products like exfoliants, may cause uncomfortable reactions that persist after exposure is stopped.

While sensitive skin is often attributed to a compromised skin barrier, it can also be the symptom of an underlying condition such as eczema or rosacea, which is why it's important to consult your dermatologist if symptoms persist after switching to a sensitive skin care routine.

Sensitive skin is easily triggered by various factors which may not affect most people. While some are unavoidable (hello allergy season!), others can be removed by making mindful swaps in your routine. Common triggers include:

1. Allergies

Exposure to allergens is a common factor in skin sensitivity. This can be as common as experiencing red, irritated skin during allergy season. More acute reactions include hives or a rash after exposure to a known allergen, for example, having an allergy to dogs and spending time with a friend who has dog dander on their clothing.

2. Heat or Hot Water

Excessive heat can weaken and irritate a compromised skin barrier, leading to dryness and discomfort. Sitting in a hot tub or taking a long hot shower can dry out your skin, leaving it flaky and itchy. If it’s too dry, cracking and bleeding may occur.

3. Pollution

Our atmosphere is full of pollutants – smoke from cars and chimneys, harsh chemicals from factories, oil dumps in the ocean, and toxins that leach into our water supplies. If the skin barrier is compromised, these harmful elements may penetrate into the skin layers and cause underlying inflammation leading to sensitivity.

4. Weather and Seasonal Changes

Changes in temperature and humidity can affect moisture levels, especially in sensitive skin. Because sensitive skin has a compromised barrier, it’s more responsive to changes in external humidity levels, often becoming very dry during the winter months. Wind can also cause flare-ups by increasing moisture loss leading to very dry, chapped skin. Opting for richer, heavier products when transitioning to colder weather can help minimize the symptoms of sensitivity.

5. Harsh Ingredients

Some surfactants - ingredients that are responsible for the cleansing properties in soaps, washes, and household cleaners - are more aggressive than others. When shopping for body wash, facial cleansers, and hand soaps, look for claims like “gentle”, “non-drying” and “safe for sensitive skin”. Avoid using cleansers that contain “sulfates”, which may be too aggressive for sensitive skin. Cocoamindopropyl Betaine can also lead to irritation. Ultimately it's important to always review ingredient lists before trying a new cleansing product.

Some household cleaning products – dish detergent, laundry detergent and disinfecting wipes – may also contain harsh ingredients unsuitable for people with skin sensitivities. In efforts to avoid redness, irritation, itching, or other uncomfortable symptoms, try wearing gloves when using them to prevent contact with your skin. Also look for alternatives with “gentle” claims.

6. Fragrance

Many skincare products contain fragrance, including synthetic fragrance, natural fragrance, and essential oils, which can be irritating for sensitive skin. Fragrances tend to contain a higher concentration of allergens and sensitizing agents which can create underlying inflammation when applied over a compromised skin barrier. Even if you aren’t allergic to specific products the scents come from (like lavender, for example), it’s still common to react to scented products.

Before using a new scented product, apply just a small amount to a tiny patch of skin and see if it causes a reaction. If it does, discard the product immediately. If you experience sensitivity issues, try to choose fragrance-free hair products and skin products whenever possible.

7. Exfoliants

Exfoliants are designed to remove dead skin cells and/or increase cell turnover. However, for sensitive skin that already has a compromised skin barrier, further disruption of the top layer of the skin can exacerbate the problem and may lead to further breakdown of the skin barrier. This includes both physical exfoliants like microbeads, clay, nutshells, and chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs (e.g. glycolic, lactic, salicylic acid), and retinoids.

Before using any type of exfoliant, always do a patch test on a small area to screen for any reactions. If there are signs of irritation, reduce frequency or remove use altogether and avoid using any exfoliant on sensitive skin that is experiencing an active flare up.

There are varying degrees of skin sensitivity. Sensitive skin is reactive, meaning your skin will produce noticeable symptoms when exposed to factors that are irritating. Some of these symptoms include:

• Redness: You may experience red or pink patches on your skin that could even swell up and feel hot to the touch.
• Acne Breakouts: A sudden appearance of acne on the face, back, chest, or arms could be a sign that a new product or environmental factor is badly affecting your skin.
• Itchiness: Try to avoid scratching as it irritates the skin more and can lead to bleeding and scarring.
• Rashes or Hives: Raised hives, blotchiness or severe rashes may require medication.
• Dryness: Severe dryness or dry patches, flakiness, or a tight feeling may be a sensitivity symptom if it is chronic and not easily resolved using a rich moisturizer.
• Sun Sensitivity: Your skin may burn rapidly, dry out, or feel painful as it tries to recover from sun exposure.
• Bleeding: Irritated, dry, and painful skin can easily crack and cause bleeding.
• Stinging or Burning: You may experience tingling, burning, or stinging even if nothing touches it.

Everyone’s skin is different; you may experience just one or even all of these symptoms during a flare-up. If you experience these symptoms or if they occur frequently, seek help from your healthcare professional who can advise you about what treatments may help.

By figuring out potential triggers, taking steps to avoid them, and prioritizing soothing your irritated skin, you can help manage and minimize the severity of your skin sensitivities. Here are some tips to help soothe sensitive skin:

• Moisturize: Be sure to moisturize your skin regularly to minimize any chances of dryness and dehydration. Look for nourishing ingredients like Aloe, Sunflower Oil, and Shea Butter which are more suitable for sensitive skin.
• Avoid Triggers: Avoid exposure if you know what causes reactions.
• Drink Water: Adequate hydration is necessary for glowing, healthy skin and also plays a vital role in combating dry, flaky skin.
• Watch Your Diet: Eat a healthy, balanced diet and take note of the foods you consumed prior to a sensitivity flare up to better identify your triggers.
• Use Sunscreen: Sunburns can break down the skin barrier, leading to sensitivity. Apply (and reapply!) sunscreen daily to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Try to opt for mineral-based sunscreens, which specify zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in the “Active Ingredients” list. Avoid chemical sunscreens as some of them can be sensitizing agents and may lead to flare ups. Also check for Butyloctyl Salicylate in the ingredient list which is a commonly used chemical booster in mineral-based sunscreens and if not properly formulated may increase sun sensitivity.
• Use Sensitive Skin Specific Products: Use skincare products designed for sensitive skin, and read the labels carefully to ensure all products you use are free of sulfates and fragrance. Third party certifications like NEA (National Eczema Society) are a good indicator that products are tested on the most sensitive skin types.

Sensitive skin can be extremely frustrating, but once you determine your triggers, you can opt for suitable skincare products with ingredients that nourish your skin.

We understand the stress and discomfort that can come with skin sensitivity. Honest® is here to help you find products best suited for your sensitive skin.

Here are our recommendations, categorized by skin type, to help you choose what’s right for you.

For sensitive skin:

• Sensitive Skin Calm + Renew Eye Balm
• Sensitive Skin Calming Cream Cleanser
• The Daily Calm Lightweight Moisturizer
• Sensitive Skin Trio
• Shampoo and Body Wash, Sensitive
• Conditioner, Sensitive
• Bubble Bath, Sensitive
• Sensitive Bathtime Gift Set
• Sensitive Collection

For skin prone to dryness:

• Hydrogel Deep Hydration Hyaluronic Acid Serum
• Body Oil, Sensitive

For skin sensitive to fragrances, try our:

• Fragrance-Free Body Wash
• Fragrance-Free Shampoo
• Fragrance-Free Detangler

Prioritize Your Skin Today

Your skin is your body’s first line of defense and deserves proper care through clean and safe products. Protect your sensitive skin and give it the care it needs to keep it comfortable with Honest®.

Explore our complete skincare lineup to find which products best suit your skin type and needs. Find the perfect sensitive skin products for you!