The evolution of at-home skincare has given us high strength acids, retinols and serums. We’ve become our own chemists and aestheticians, stringing together DIY skincare routines to tackle our top issues from our bedrooms. We have the power to treat our own skin in our hands – or at least in our bathroom cabinets. The only problem is… Well, we don’t really know what we’re doing.
Worryingly, there seems to be a correlation between the advancement in our home skincare and the prevalence of skin sensitivity. A medical study published in 2019 noted that between 60-70% of women reported having sensitive skin, characterised by itching, burning, stinging, tightness or dryness.
If this sounds familiar, join the club. “There is evidence that the reported prevalence of self-perceived skin sensitivity has increased steadily over time,” the study says. Notably, it affects women (whose skincare regimens traditionally tend to be much more stringent and potent) more than men.
Notice the phrase “self-perceived,” though. Since sensitivity is so subjective, it isn’t easy to diagnose correctly. A recent study into sensitivity in the UK by La Roche Posay found that over one in 10 women will describe their skin as sensitive without really knowing what it means.