Sensitive skin – the best tips and care routines

Sensitive skin is a skin condition that manifests itself through a variety of internal and external factors. The following symptoms are characteristic of sensitive skin:

• the occurrence of itching, redness (flushes), pimples and papules as a result of using skincare products
• a burning sensation on the skin
• dry and flaking skin areas
• a high susceptibility to sunburn and sun allergies

You can recognise sensitive and hypersensitive skin by listening to your body and observing skin reactions closely. Your personal self-assessment – how you feel – is more important than any externally visible symptom of sensitive skin.

Sensitive skin and the chronic, inflammatory skin disease rosacea have many symptoms in common – such as reddening of the skin, irritant reactions to certain ingredients with blister formation and high sensitivity to environmental influences. All cases of rosacea result in sensitive skin – especially on the cheeks, chin, forehead and nose. However, it is best to consult a dermatologist to determine whether your symptoms of sensitive skin are indicative of rosacea.

Sensitive skin correlates closely with the condition of the skin barrier – the uppermost, protective skin layer consisting of horny cells and lipids. It is thanks to its stability and high water impermeability that sufficient moisture remains in the skin. If the skin barrier is disturbed, the skin dries out and becomes sensitive. Applying moisturiser will only have a limited effect. If water gets into the skin, it will evaporate and escape within a short time.

If the outer skin layer is restricted in its barrier function, it also absorbs undesirable substances and irritants – such as environmental toxins – which can lead to noticeable and visible skin irritation. Incorrect skincare shifts the pH value of the skin to an alkaline, or basic, level, causing skin irritation. If you regularly spend a lot of time in water – e.g. when swimming, bathing and showering – the outer layer swells and suffers long-term damage. Other factors that cause the skin to react sensitively include contact allergens, strong UV radiation and psychological stress.

If your skin reacts sensitively, you should make sure to consistently avoid skincare products that contain typical irritants – such as perfume, alcohol, fragrances and essential oils. If your skin reacts particularly sensitively despite gentle skincare and shows clearly visible symptoms – such as sudden redness – you should scrutinise the list of ingredients. A wide variety of skincare ingredients – e.g. urea, fruit acids, retinoids, sulphates, lanolin or vitamins C and E – can cause your skin to react sensitively.

To soothe sensitive skin, it is important to take skin concerns seriously. High-quality skincare for sensitive and hypersensitive skin is perfectly tailored to the needs of sensitive skin and does not contain any substances that typically cause irritation. The words “non-comedogenic” on the packaging indicate that the skincare product does not contain substances – such as mineral oils and fats – that clog pores and therefore irritate the skin.

If you suffer from sensitive skin, you should minimise your skincare routine and give it longer to recover. Cleansing too intensively with active cleansing substances has a negative effect on the skin barrier. It is sufficient to gently cleanse sensitive skin in the evening before going to bed. The ideal cleansing products are pH-neutral, mild cleansing products with light textures in the form of cleansing milk, cleansing lotion or cleansing balm. In the morning, it is sufficient to wash the skin with lukewarm water.

Microfine peels with particularly mild, fine grains and enzyme peels are suitable for removing dead skin cells from sensitive skin and cleaning the pores. The latter completely dispense with mechanical abrasive particles. The exfoliating effect is based on the enzymes they contain. The right time to use a peel is once or twice a week after cleansing the face and before applying moisturiser.

Minimalist moisturisers, lotions and moisturisers with light textures contain active ingredients that soothe the skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

A moisturising serum for sensitive skin provides the skin with an extra portion of moisture and has a nourishing effect. Ideally, you should apply the serum immediately after cleansing, leave it to take effect and then apply your moisturiser.

Sensitive skin reacts sensitively to UV radiation and – in extreme cases – also to sun protection products with chemical light protection filters. In this case, it is beneficial to use sun creams with the physical filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They act on the surface of the skin and do not penetrate the skin.

Sensitive skin reacts particularly intensely to makeup products. It is important to choose soothing and skin-friendly makeup that does not cause additional skin irritation.

A high-quality foundation with a light texture and without fragrances conceals redness and unevenness of the skin without being too rich. Powdery, oil-free textures that are only lightly applied to the surface of the skin are also ideal. A high-quality BB cream with make-up pigments is suitable as an alternative. It provides an oil-free foundation, hydrates the skin and also serves as UV protection for the day.

Lipsticks can also dry out sensitive lip skin. It is better to use special lipsticks for sensitive skin that moisturise the lips and last a long time.

You should place great importance on choosing the right eye makeup. Mascara and eyeliner for sensitive eyes as well as eyeshadow with a creamy texture are based on soothing formulas and ensure that you don’t have to go without a great eye look – despite having sensitive skin.