Guide · 3 min read
What is sensitive skin, and how do you care for it?
Stinging, burning, flushing easily. Sensitive skin is more common than you think; here is a simple routine that suits it.
fewer products, gentle products
How common is it?
In a meta-analysis covering more than 51,000 people from 18 countries, 71 percent of participants said their skin was sensitive to some degree; 40 percent said it was moderately or very sensitive. It is slightly more common in women.
How can you tell?
Stinging or burning when you apply a new product, flushing easily with heat and cold, itching and tightness. These signs can appear even without a visible rash.
A routine for sensitive skin
- 1Use few products: cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen.
- 2Choose an alcohol-free, gentle, sulfate-free cleanser.
- 3Keep the water lukewarm and don't scrub your face.
- 4Try a new product on a small area, such as behind the ear, for a few days first.
- 5Don't start more than one new product at the same time.
If the symptoms are severe or don't go away, see a dermatologist.
Related to this guide
Sources
- 1.Self-reported sensitive skin: systematic review and meta-analysis, PubMed 31869523
- 2.Sensitive skin, Frontiers in Medicine 2019
- 3.AAD, face washing guide
This article is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If a complaint persists or gets worse, see a dermatologist.