Sensitive or sensitised skin?

Sensitive skin is at the heart of every Twelve Beauty formulation. We take pride in creating products that take care of the most sensitive of skins while still giving you the results you desire.

With the rise in popularity of exfoliating and resurfacing products as well as retinol in the skincare industry, we’ve also noticed an increase in the number of customers suffering from sensitised skin. But what is the difference between sensitive and sensitised skin? How do you tell them apart and, more importantly, how do you remedy them both?

Is your skin sensitive or sensitised?

Quite simply, sensitive skin is something you’re born with. Whether it is inherited or not, it is a skin condition you’ll most likely have throughout your life. Some inflammatory conditions like eczema or rosacea fall into the sensitive skin category. Inflammatory conditions like these will cause your skin to be more sensitive and react to certain ingredients or formulations.

On the other hand, sensitised skin is something temporary, something that is new to you and your skin. It is usually caused by external factors that lead to a weakened skin barrier, resulting in similar symptoms to sensitive skin. When sensitised, your skin might become flaky, red, itchy etc.

What causes skin to become sensitised?

Many things can potentially cause your skin to become sensitised. Some of the most common triggers are over-exfoliating with AHAs or BHAs or the overuse of active ingredients such as retinol or vitamin C. Other causes include astringent toners, dry climates, central heating in winter, hot showers or baths, face brushes or harsh washcloths, etc. You don’t need to avoid all of these at all costs, but you should be mindful of their possible effects on your skin.

How to treat sensitive or sensitised skin?

A “less is more” approach is often best when your skin is irritated. Ultimately, you want to remedy your weakened skin barrier like you would treat any wound; With a gentle and protective routine. A great starting point using Twelve Beauty products would be Purifying Cleansing Beauty Cream as a gentle daily face wash, followed by the Ideal Moisture Level Serum to hydrate and seal in much need moisture, followed by the calming and highly nourishing Nutritive Repair Emulsion.