But, like most things with skin, sensitivity is a spectrum. Some people react poorly to potent actives (like retinol or acids), while others can’t even tolerate the most bland of plant botanicals. Some people may react to common allergens, while others have skin that flinches at common ingredients. So while sensitive skin is pretty regular, you may feel your skin takes it to a new level. Do you, perhaps, have hypersensitive skin? The one throughline that ties it all together—and that all derms can agree on—is that those with sensitive skin have a compromised skin barrier. See, the organ’s purpose is to act as a shield: “It protects us from mechanical injury, low humidity, cold, heat, sun, wind, chemical exposure, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other pathogens,” explains board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., stating that, “a healthy barrier is critical to normal skin function.” When that shield is weakened, it isn’t as able to perform this role, allowing irritants to penetrate the skin and cause major and chronic disruptions in the form of rashes, inflammation, texture changes, burning, and so on.
