blog

By Divya Agarwal

11 September, 2026

Sensitive skin is not a skin type, it is a condition. This means that no matter what your type is, you might have sensitive skin if your skin is hyper-reactive and flares up unpredictably.

While some are born with sensitive skin, it is a condition that can also develop due to weakened skin barrier, sun damage, poor diet, and dehydration. Thankfully, it's easily reversible!

Let's understand what sensitive skin is, its causes, tips, and the best skincare routine to avoid triggers.

What is sensitive skin and what are its causes?

Let's begin by understanding how dermatologists define sensitive skin.

According to the International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI), sensitive skin refers to "a syndrome defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations (stinging, burning, pain, pruritus and tingling sensations) in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke such sensations.

These unpleasant sensations cannot be explained by lesions attributable to any skin disease. The skin can appear normal or be accompanied by erythema."

Thus, skin sensitivity is the heightened reaction of your skin to external factors and not a skin disease.

Here are the top causes of sensitive skin:

1. Allergens: Some ingredients, formulas, plant extracts, and even fragrances can react with your sensitive skin, causing irritation.

2. Environmental aggressors: Constant exposure to aggressors like the sun, pollution, heat, or cold, can weaken your skin's barrier and lead to sensitive skin.

3. Dehydration and dryness: Dehydration in your body and skin cells can also cause sensitivity and dryness. Similarly, exposure to excess colder temperatures for longer duration, like AC can aggravate skin sensitivity due to dryness.

4. Hormones: The level of hormones in your body can determine the sensitivity of your skin. This is why skin sensitivity can differ in males and females.

5. Age: As you grow older, the elasticity and thickness of your skin are reduced due to the reduction of collagen and elastin in your dermis. This makes the skin more prone to irritation and bruising.

6. Skin tone: Dark skin tone is richer in melanin than fairer skin tone. Since melanin is your skin's natural sun protection, people with fair skin are more susceptible to sunburn, which is also a reason for increased skin sensitivity.