Up to 60%

of women and up to 40% of men report sensitive & reactive skin1,2

Sensitive & reactive skin is more likely to respond to everyday triggers – including UV exposure, changes in temperature, wind, pollution, cosmetic products, stress and hormonal changes – with visible redness and sensations such as itching, tingling or stinging.

 Effective care should help to:

  • Calm and soothe discomfort

  • Reduce visible redness

  • Strengthen the skin barrier

  • Improve resilience to everyday triggers

What is sensitive & reactive skin?

Sensitive skin

Characterised by stinging, burning, itching, tingling or tightness from triggers that wouldn’t normally cause discomfort. Skin may appear normal, or have visible redness.1

Reactive skin

Skin which commonly responds quickly to internal or external triggers.

Redness-prone skin

Skin which is more likely to develop visible flushing or areas of persistent redness.

These can occur on their own or together, and may be linked to changes in skin barrier function and heightened neurosensory reactivity.2,3

Understanding sensitive & reactive skin

  • Who is affected by sensitive & reactive skin?

    Skin sensitivity can affect different skin types and may vary considerably from person to person. Some people experience occasional sensitivity following exposure to a particular trigger, while others find their skin is persistently reactive.

  • What causes skin sensitivity and reactivity?

    Sensitive skin is complex and can be influenced by several interacting factors. Changes to the skin barrier may make skin less effective at retaining water and protecting itself from external stressors, while altered neurosensory responses can make normally well-tolerated stimuli feel uncomfortable.2,3

  • How to care for sensitive & reactive skin

    A consistent, gentle skincare routine can help support reactive skin. Focus on mild cleansing, maintaining hydration and supporting the skin barrier with well-tolerated formulations while avoiding known individual triggers.2

1 3

The skin barrier and reactivity

The outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, forms an important protective barrier. It helps retain water while limiting exposure to potentially irritating external substances.3

In sensitive skin, barrier abnormalities are frequently reported, although barrier impairment is not considered the only cause of sensitivity.2,3 Neurosensory signalling and inflammatory pathways may also contribute to sensations such as burning, stinging and discomfort.2

For this reason, an effective skincare approach for sensitive and reactive skin should go beyond simply providing moisture, helping to support the skin barrier, calm discomfort and improve skin resilience.

TECHNOLOGY TO HELP SUPPORT SENSITIVE AND REACTIVE SKIN

Introducing AQUAMMUNIST® Technology

Inspired by the science of the hydrobiome, AQUAMMUNIST® combines mineral-rich Solía Thermal Spring Water from Cantabria with encapsulated Phaeodactylum tricornutum microalgae extract to help calm skin reactivity and support the skin’s natural defences.

Laboratory research has demonstrated the potential of AQUAMMUNIST® to help protect skin cells against factors associated with sensitivity and reactivity.4

Clinical research on SKIN RESIST formulations combining AQUAMMUNIST®, cherimoya extract and niacinamide demonstrated significant reductions in itching and burning sensations following exposure to external triggers, alongside improvements in skin sensitivity and resistance.5

Targeted and effective skincare regime for sensitive & reactive skin

  • Step 1 | Cleanse · AM & PM

    SKIN RESIST Velvet Cleanser

    Gently removes impurities while respecting the skin barrier, helping prepare sensitive-reactive skin for targeted treatment and moisturising care.

    View product

  • Step 2 | Treat · PM

    SKIN RESIST Sensage Serum

    A targeted night-time serum designed to soothe sensitive and reactive skin, support barrier repair and help improve visible signs of ageing.

    View product

  • Step 3 | Care · AM

    SKIN RESIST Daily Fluid

    A lightweight daily moisturiser that helps soothe discomfort, calm visible redness and reinforce the skin barrier for improved skin comfort and resilience.

    View product

  • Step 4 | Protect · AM

    HELIOCARE 360° A-R Emulsion

    A lightweight, tinted SPF 50 fluid that provides broad-spectrum sun protection while helping soothe visible redness, support the skin barrier and even skin tone.

    View product
1 4

FAQs

Why does sensitive skin become red?

Visible redness can accompany sensitive skin and may develop when the skin reacts to environmental, physical or cosmetic triggers. Sensitive skin is also associated with altered neurosensory and inflammatory responses, although the mechanisms involved are complex and vary between individuals.²

Not everyone with sensitive skin experiences visible redness, and redness can have many different causes.

What can trigger sensitive & reactive skin?

Triggers vary from person to person but may include temperature changes, cold weather, heat, wind, UV exposure, pollution, stress and certain cosmetic products.²

Understanding your individual triggers and maintaining a consistent, well-tolerated skincare routine can help minimise unnecessary skin reactivity.

How should I build a routine for sensitive & reactive skin?

Keep the routine simple and consistent. Begin with a gentle cleanser, followed by targeted soothing care and a moisturiser that supports the skin barrier. During the day, finish with broad-spectrum photoprotection.

Introducing new products gradually can also make it easier to understand how your skin responds.

Is redness-prone skin the same as rosacea?

No. Redness-prone skin is a descriptive skin concern and does not necessarily mean that you have rosacea. Persistent facial redness can have several causes, including recognised dermatological conditions.

If redness is persistent, worsening, uncomfortable or associated with other symptoms seek advice from a GP, dermatologist or qualified healthcare professional for an appropriate assessment.

Is SPF important for sensitive & reactive skin?

Yes. UV radiation can act as an environmental stressor, so daily broad-spectrum photoprotection is an important part of a comprehensive skincare routine for sensitive and reactive skin.

Choose a sunscreen suitable for your skin type and apply it as the final step of your morning skincare routine.

Are you looking to stock Cantabria Labs?

Become a stockist

References

  1. Misery, L., Ständer, S., Szepietowski, J.C., Reich, A., Wallengren, J., Evers,
    A.W.M., Takamori, K., Brenaut, E., Gall-Ianotto, C., Fluhr, J.W. et al. (2017)
    ‘Definition of sensitive skin: An expert position paper from the Special Interest
    Group on Sensitive Skin of the International Forum for the Study of Itch’, Acta
    Dermato-Venereologica, 97, pp. 4–6.
  2. Misery, L., Weisshaar, E., Brenaut, E., Evers, A.W.M., Huet, F., Ständer, S., Reich,
    A., Berardesca, E., Serra-Baldrich, E., Wallengren, J. et al. (2020)
    ‘Pathophysiology and management of sensitive skin: Position paper from the
    Special Interest Group on Sensitive Skin of the International Forum for the Study
    of Itch (IFSI)’, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology,
    34, pp. 222–229. doi:10.1111/jdv.16000.
  3. Fluhr, J.W., Moore, D.J., Lane, M.E., Lachmann, N. and Rawlings, A.V. (2024)
    ‘Epidermal barrier function in dry, flaky and sensitive skin: A narrative review’,
    Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 38(5), pp.
    812–820. doi:10.1111/jdv.19745.
  4. Mourelle, M.L., Segura de Yebra, J., Ayats, J., Vitale, M. and López Sánchez, A. (2024) ‘Potential benefits of a cosmetic ingredient combining thermal spring water and diatom algae extract’, Cosmetics, 11(2), p. 62. doi:10.3390/cosmetics11020062.
  5. Vitale M et al. Controlled comparison evaluation of the soothing effect of 3 cosmetic products on skin discomfort induced by an irritant chemical agent (capsaicin). J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024;23:4057–4065.