What causes sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin develops when the skin reacts more quickly to internal and external stimuli, leading to redness, irritation, and discomfort. The skin may feel burning, tight, or suddenly react to products that previously caused no problems. This often makes sensitive skin unpredictable and difficult to care for properly.

Many people try to soothe sensitive skin by using as few products as possible or by constantly changing their routine. However, this rarely provides a lasting solution. Without targeted support, the skin barrier becomes increasingly unbalanced.

Sensitive skin does not require less care, but rather the right barrier-restoring approach.

What happens in the skin when it becomes sensitive?

The root cause of sensitive skin almost always lies in a weakened skin barrier . This protective layer is supposed to protect the skin from external influences and moisture loss. When this function diminishes, symptoms arise:

The skin barrier allows irritants to pass through more easily
The skin loses moisture faster, leading to dryness and tightness
Nerve endings become more hypersensitive, which causes tingling or burning sensation
Inflammatory reactions occur more quickly, even without visible damage

This makes the skin react more strongly to skincare, weather conditions and stress.

How do you recognize sensitive skin?

Common characteristics of sensitive skin include:

Redness or blotchy complexion
Burning, tingling or itching sensation
Tight skin, even after applying cream
Poor tolerance to new or active products
Aggravation by cold, heat, wind or air conditioning

Sensitive skin can occur with any skin type: dry, normal, combination or oily.

Causes that can aggravate sensitive skin

Sensitivity can be temporary or long-lasting and is often increased by:

Overly aggressive cleansing or exfoliation
Excessive use of active ingredients
Perfume, alcohol or essential oils in skincare
Temperature changes and weather influences
Stress, hormonal fluctuations and sleep deprivation
Frequently changing products or routines

Without recovery, the skin remains in a cycle of irritation and overreaction.

Ingredients that support sensitive skin

For sensitive skin, the focus is on soothing, restoring and protecting .

Niacinamide
Helps strengthen the skin barrier, reduces redness and makes the skin less reactive.

Bisabolol
A powerful soothing ingredient that helps reduce inflammation and soothe irritation.

Aloe vera & restorative oils
Supports mild cleansing, moisturizing and promoting skin recovery without irritation.

These ingredients work together to make the skin more resilient and comfortable.

The importance of a consistent routine

Sensitive skin benefits from rest and regularity. Too many products or changing routines further disrupt the skin barrier.

An effective routine:

Gently cleanses without stripping the skin
Soothes redness and irritation
Strengthens and restores the skin barrier
Protects against external stimuli
Prevents new sensitivity reactions

For people with quickly reactive skin, a simple, well-thought-out routine is essential for long-term skin relief.

The Sensitive Skin – Skin Concern Set from Prescription Skincare has been developed by skin specialists to provide targeted support to sensitive skin:

Sensitive Skin - Skin Concern Set

Meest gestelde vragen

Kan ik actieve ingrediënten gebruiken met een gevoelige huid?
Ja, maar met mate en in de juiste formulering.
Kies voor milde, barrière-ondersteunende actives zoals niacinamide en vermijd het combineren van meerdere actieve ingrediënten tegelijk.

Hoe vaak moet ik mijn huid reinigen als ik een gevoelige huid heb?
Reinig de huid maximaal twee keer per dag met een milde, niet-schuimende reiniger. Te vaak of te agressief reinigen kan de huid uitdrogen en gevoeliger maken.

Is een gevoelige huid altijd droog?
Nee, een gevoelige huid kan elk huidtype hebben: droog, normaal, gecombineerd of vet. Gevoeligheid draait vooral omreactiviteit en een verstoorde huidbarrière, niet alleen om vochttekort.

Waardoor wordt een gevoelige huid veroorzaakt?
Een gevoelige huid ontstaat vaak door overbehandeling, agressieve reiniging, parfum of alcohol in producten, stress en weersinvloeden. Ook het te vaak wisselen van skincare kan de huidbarrière verstoren en gevoeligheid verergeren.