The Sensitive Skin Guide: How to Soothe & Build Resilience

About 40% of people worldwide would identify as having sensitive skin, but there isn’t a clear definition for exactly what it is. Everyone’s skin is unique, so sensitive skin can look different for each person. However, some common signs of sensitivity include signs of irritation, redness, and dry, flaky skin.

While some people may be more prone to experiencing sensitive skin, ultimately, anyone can experience the signs of skin irritation that are commonly associated with skin sensitivity.

Sensitive skin can be triggered by many different factors:

• Temperature
• UV exposure
• Humidity
• Environmental stressors (like pollution)
• Genetics 

Even though there isn't one specific definition, understanding the different factors that can trigger sensitive skin is key to finding supportive solutions.

In sensitive skin, we often see disruption to the skin barrier. The skin barrier acts as a protective shield that keeps the good stuff in and the harmful stuff out. It also plays a key role in retaining water, which is why it’s also commonly known as the “moisture barrier”. Water is essential for overall health, and it’s equally important for skin health.

The skin barrier is made up of multiple elements that work together—including natural moisturizing factors and skin lipids like ceramides—to maintain its strength and function.

Natural moisturizing factors act as mini water magnets that attach onto water molecules and help hold it inside the skin. Skin lipids like ceramides and fatty acids act like waterproof layers that help trap water inside. These two aspects of the skin barrier play a major role in reducing the ability of unwanted molecules from penetrating the skin barrier. 

Finally, we have the skin cells themselves. They act as a strong final layer of protection by acting as a physical barrier to make it harder for molecules to enter and exit the skin. The skin barrier is the first line of defence against external elements that can damage your skin and cause irritation. When your skin barrier is compromised, this can kickstart the cycle of sensitivity and irritation.

Sensitive skin can be challenging to manage. Your skin is exposed to various stressors and irritants on a daily basis. While your skin barrier works hard to protect you, it’s hard to predict what will trigger a reaction, as sensitive skin varies from person to person.

When something triggers a stress response in the skin, common signs of sensitivity can include redness, irritation, or other feelings of discomfort. Unfortunately, this response can damage your skin barrier further and lead to dryness. Research has shown that exposing the skin to irritants not only increases water loss, but also leads to lower levels of natural moisturizing factors within the skin. A damaged skin barrier creates a cycle where your skin struggles to retain moisture, causing it to feel dry and tight, and more vulnerable to external stressors. Understanding your skin will guide you in choosing the best skincare routine forsensitive skin.

It’s important to assess your entire skincare regimen when noticing signs that your skin barrier is compromised. Consider a simple routine that focuses on fewer, and gentler products to help reduce the risk of irritation. We recommend this as a good starting point for a sensitive skin skincare routine:

• Prep

The Prep stage is where we prepare the skin for subsequent treatments by cleansing, toning, and optionally, exfoliating. However, since exfoliating can remove more of the skin layers that contribute to the physical barrier, it is generally advised to omit this step if you your skin is feeling particularly sensitive. When cleansing, It can be helpful to choose a gentle cleanser that works to respect the skin barrier such as a cream or balm-based cleanser which can deliver moisture to the skin. Our Glycolipid Cream Cleanser, Squalane Cleanser, or Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, all offer gentle yet effective cleansing.

• Treat

The Treat stage is where we address specific skin concerns using targeted formulas. This includes eye serums, face serums, and oils, or none at all. We recommend using formulations that include ingredients that help to support hydration and the skin barrier as you target concerns like fine lines, blemishes, dullness, the look of uneven skin tone, and more. 

Our bestsellers, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) or Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% are two oil-free serums that are both good options for boosting hydration and offering barrier support. Always consider doing a patch test before using new products, especially if you have sensitive skin.

• Seal

The Seal stage is where we lock in the benefits of our treatments and support and protect the skin with sun protection. Key ingredients to look for are hydrators such as natural moisturizing factors, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. 

Our Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides is our most nourishing moisturizer and immediately boosts skin hydration by 68%,* helps strengthen the skin barrier, and offers all-day hydration. Lastly, sunscreen is essential for any skincare regimen. Our newest formulation, UV Filters SPF 45 Serum is a serum-textured broad-spectrum sunscreen that helps protect against sun damage that can lead to premature aging.

Because of the overwhelming amount of skincare products in the market, and a flood of conflicting information online, it’s easy to make mistakes when building a skincare routine for sensitive skin. Watch out for these common mistakes:

Over-exfoliating

Exfoliating the skin removes the top layer of dead skin revealing a brighter complexion below. However this can also disrupt the skin’s protective barrier formed by those skin cells. 

Over-exfoliation can create further damage to the skin barrier, leaving it more vulnerable to signs of irritation. If your skin barrier is damaged, it may be best to take a pause and turn your focus on skin barrier strengthening and maintenance.

Using Harsh Products

When working to repair a compromised skin barrier, it's important to eliminate any products from your routine that may be making the irritation worse. Potent actives like retinol and vitamin C, while beneficial under normal circumstances, can sometimes be irritating especially if the skin's barrier is compromised. Retinol promotes cell turnover and collagen production but may cause dryness and visible sensitivity, especially when the barrier is impaired.

Many other actives, such niacinamide, or certain acids, can lead to discomfort or redness. Once skin feels more balanced and free of irritation, these ingredients can be introduced gradually while monitoring for any adverse reactions. Alternatively, gentler options—such as our GF 15% Solution, or our Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum—may help to minimize the risk of irritation while providing effective results. As always, we recommend doing a patch test before adding new products to your skincare regimen.

Using Hot Water

Hot water can cause disruption to the skin barrier by stripping it of its natural lipids and disrupting the skin barrier. When washing, it’s best to use water that is cool to luke-warm to prevent irritating your skin.

Not Wearing SPF

UV exposure can also lead to a stress response in the skin (seen as signs of redness we associate with sunburn), as well as damaging the skin barrier leading to increased water loss. Consider adding a broad-spectrum sunscreen for protection against the damaging effects of UV light.

UV Filters SPF 45 Serum is a serum-textured sunscreen that helps protect against sun damage. Those more prone to signs of irritation sometimes prefer to choose a mineral sunscreen that uses Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium dioxide as they are generally more tolerated by those prone to skin irritation.

Choosing Skincare with Fragrance

It’s also a good idea to choose skincare that is fragrance-free, as some fragrance molecules can act as irritants for some and may actually cause more damage to your skin barrier. Even naturally derived scents may include compounds that are known to cause reactions in certain individuals. When used regularly, fragranced products might contribute to changes in how your skin feels or responds, particularly if your skin is already prone to dryness or sensitivity.

Neglecting Lip Care

Regardless of your skin type, lips often require special attention due to their delicate nature. The Ordinary's Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm offers a gentle solution, formulated with squalane to provide hydration and support the skin's barrier and a blend of amino acids that help retain moisture. This balm is also fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types, making it a gentle option for daily lip care.

Sensitive skin can be complex and frustrating to navigate, but understanding the importance of the skin barrier can help us focus on a regimen that supports it. Using gentle products and incorporating specific ingredients like niacinamide can help build a strong and resilient barrier.

Break the sensitive skin cycle and explore our range of skin barrier-supporting products to give your skin the care it deserves. Want to learn more about the skin barrier? Check out our comprehensive guide.