How to get rid of sensitive skin

What causes sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin can sting, itch or burn, and it can show as redness or dryness. The same label can describe different problems, so the pattern of symptoms and what triggers them both matter.1

An irritant can trigger contact dermatitis after repeated exposure to a mild substance. Soaps, detergents, perfumes and preservatives in toiletries or cosmetics are common culprits. An allergic reaction is different: it involves an immune response and can appear after later contact with a substance. A product you have used before is not automatically cleared of suspicion.2

Some triggers are not products. Heat, cold and low humidity can aggravate sensitive skin, and sun protection is part of managing reactions when sunlight is a trigger. A diary can help separate a weather pattern from a product reaction.1

Dry skin, eczema and rosacea can also sit behind sensitivity. With atopic dermatitis, the skin may lack proteins that help maintain its barrier to water. Treating an underlying condition matters because avoiding one product will not address every cause.3

How to build a skincare routine for sensitive skin

Keep the routine short while you work out what your skin tolerates. A mild cleanser and moisturizer make a routine, even if the packaging keeps asking for a promotion.4

1. 1Wash your skin daily with a mild cleanser and warm water. Avoid products that you already know trigger a reaction.
2. 2Moisturize often with a fragrance free, irritation free product. If eczema or dry skin is part of the problem, apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp after bathing.
3. 3During the day, use sunscreen or limit sun exposure. For rosacea, choose a daily broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher; a fragrance free sunscreen containing zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both is a suitable option.
4. 4Keep track of what touches your skin and stop using products that appear to trigger symptoms. For household cleaning products with harsh chemicals, wear gloves.

What ingredients can irritate sensitive skin?

Soaps and detergents can irritate skin, while perfumes and preservatives in toiletries or cosmetics can cause contact reactions. These are possible triggers, not a universal blacklist. Perfume can be an irritant or allergen.2

If you have rosacea, menthol, camphor and sodium lauryl sulfate are common triggers to check for in skin and hair products. Stop products that cause burning, stinging, itching or dry, scaly skin. This list is specific to rosacea, not a rule that every person with sensitive skin must follow.5

How to make skin less reactive?

When symptoms start, note the products, soaps, detergents, clothing and other things that came into contact with your skin. Include when the reaction appeared and whether heat, cold or dry air was involved. Writing down what touched your skin is less glamorous than buying another bottle, but the notebook has better recall.4

If you think a medicine is triggering rosacea, do not stop taking it on your own. Ask the doctor who prescribed it whether a different medicine is an option.5

Isotretinoin can cause dry skin and make skin more sensitive to the sun while you are taking it. Use shade and sun protective clothing, and choose sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum protection and water resistance.6

How long does it take for sensitive skin to calm down?

There is no single timeline for sensitive skin because it can have several causes. Contact dermatitis clears up in two to three weeks in most cases. That timeframe applies to contact dermatitis, not to every cause of sensitivity.7

When should you see a healthcare provider?

Get medical advice if symptoms are very bothersome or have not improved after about a week of home care. Seek help sooner for a severe reaction or signs of a skin infection, such as tenderness, redness, warmth or fever. A healthcare provider can assess whether eczema, rosacea, contact dermatitis or another condition is behind the reaction and guide treatment for that cause.147