What Is Hypersensitive Skin & Do You Have It? Triggers & Remedies

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.