What should you know about clean and clear sensitive skin?

Sensitivity is a pattern of discomfort rather than a single diagnosis. Skin may sting, burn, itch, flush, feel tight, or become red after water, cosmetics, fragrance, shaving, heat, or wind. Repeated reactions can also reflect atopic dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, or rosacea, so the trigger and appearance matter. Sensitive skin does not automatically mean that a specific condition is present.

Wash with lukewarm water and a fragrance-free, non-abrasive cleanser; use fingertips rather than a brush or rough cloth. Pat dry and apply moisturiser while the skin is still slightly damp. Introduce one new product at a time, testing a small area first, and pause products that cause repeated burning. Choose sun protection that your skin tolerates and avoid frequent scrubs, strong acids, and heavily fragranced formulas while the barrier is unsettled.

Seek dermatology advice when reactions persist despite a gentle routine, keep returning around the mouth, or include flushing, visible vessels, thick scale, or eczema-like patches. Get prompt help for facial swelling, widespread hives, blistering, breathing difficulty, or eye pain after a product. Stop the suspected product while arranging urgent care for a severe reaction.

Ask which ingredients to avoid, whether patch testing is useful, and whether your pattern fits sensitive skin, atopic dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, or rosacea.