Sensitive skin is a common skin condition that affects up to 25% of the population. People with sensitive skin might get redness, burning, itching, and sometimes bumps.

Various factors, including sun exposure, harsh skincare products, stress, and environmental irritants, can trigger sensitive skin. A sensitive skincare routine focuses on calming and soothing the skin with gentle, fragrance-free products designed for sensitive skin.

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a scientific term for sensitive skin. Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects the face. It is characterized by redness, flushing, telangiectasia (visible blood vessels), papules (small, raised bumps), and pustules (small, pus-filled bumps). The severity of rosacea can vary from person to person, and it can come and go.

There are four main types of rosacea:

• Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: This is the most common type of rosacea. It is characterized by persistent redness on the face, often in the central area of the face, such as the cheeks, nose, and chin. In some people, small blood vessels (telangiectasia) may also be visible.
• Papulopustular rosacea: This type of rosacea is characterized by the presence of papules and pustules. Papules are small, raised bumps, and pustules are small, pus-filled bumps. Papulopustular rosacea is often mistaken for acne.
• Phymatous rosacea: This type of rosacea is characterized by thickening of the skin, especially on the nose. The nose may become enlarged and bulbous.
• Ocular rosacea: This type of rosacea affects the eyes. It is characterised by redness, itching, burning, and watering of the eyes.

What causes rosacea?

Rosacea can be due to following reasons:

The family history of allergies

You are likely to get rosacea if tendency of allergies in your family. One or several of your immediate blood relations might have

• asthma
• allergic rhinitis (present with frequent sneezing)
• allergic conjunctivitis (itching in eyes)
• atopic dermatitis (present with dry skin, rash and itching).

Experimentation

You can develop sensitive skin during lifetime if you treat your skin as guinea pigs. Lot of people believe in trying the latest, exposing it to harsh chemicals or procedures frequently. Check out, this list of products that are less likely to irritate your sensitive skin.

Severe and prolonged sun exposure

Few might develop sensitive skin after a long beach holiday in the tropical sun.

Steroid misuse

Still others, might develop it due to repeated use of steroid creams. This occurs when you self-medicate the steroid creams like Betnovate, lobate, cosvate, tenovate, etc. They clear your skin instantly, but flare-ups might occur on discontinuation. If such is your situation, a dermatologist can help you with the management of both steroid dependence and sensitive skin.

Idiopathic(No reason)

However, there might not be any reason for having rosacea. In such cases, your face might get red on sun exposure even in childhood.

We advise you to do a patch test before you start using any new product, even those recommended by us. You can do patch test by applying a small amount of product on behind your ear every night for at least five nights. Do not use product if redness, burning, itching, or rash occurs.

How to calm sensitive skin?

Remember “whenever your skin is burning or irritated, it is pleading leave me alone”

Your sensitive skin is begging you for a break. It’s been through enough. All the harsh products, the harsh treatments, the harsh environment. It’s time to give it some TLC.

The first step is to stop all the products. Every single one. This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s the only way to give your skin a chance to heal. When you use harsh products, they can strip away your skin’s natural barrier, making it more sensitive and vulnerable.

The best solution is to stick to the skin care products that already suit you. In quest of finding better, you might end up in worst. Anything that causes irritation, itching burning, bumps or redness should be avoided, for example:

• Skin care products like:
  • alcohol-based toners
  • bar soaps that produce a lot of lather
  • nutshell based scrubs
  • hair removal creams containing chemical depilatories
• Ingredients like:
  • Additives in skin care products like fragrances, lanolin, propylene glycol, Sodium Lauryl/ Laureth sulphate(in face wash), preservatives like quaternium 15, etc.
  • Active ingredients like Benzoyl Peroxide, Glycolic Acid, Hydroquinone, pure form of Vitamin C, sandalwood, arnica, essential oils, tea tree oil, etc. Take a note that the list includes natural ingredients as well.
  • Sunscreen agents like Avobenzone, Benzophenone, Butyl methoxy dibenzoyl methane, Isopropyl dibenzoyl methane, Methyl benzylidene camphor, Octyl methoxy cinnamite, Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), Phenylbezimidazole sulfonic acid.
• Parlour procedures
  • hot wax/saunas/steam
  • overzealous scrubbing during facials,
  • hair treatments that involve heat or harsh chemicals.
• Aesthetic procedures
  • strong chemical peels
  • Micro-dermabrasion
  • Ablative LASERS
• Lifestyle
  • hot and spicy food,
  • hot environment,
  • moving out in the mid-day sun,
  • drinking alcohol,
  • strong emotional triggers
  • cooking food in hot climate

Skincare Routine for Rosacea or Sensitive Skin

Managing sensitive skin or rosacea requires a gentle, consistent skincare regimen tailored to reduce inflammation, protect the skin barrier, and avoid potential irritants.

Step 1: Cleanser – Gentle is the Way Forward

Cleansing is the foundational step in any skincare regimen, especially for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin. However, overly harsh cleansers can strip the skin of its protective oils, disrupting the barrier and exacerbating sensitivity.

Guidelines for Choosing a Cleanser:

• Avoid bar soaps: Their high pH can further irritate sensitive skin.
• Prefer pH-balanced, liquid cleansers that are sulfate-free and non-foaming.
• Limit cleansing to twice daily—morning and evening.
• Avoid vigorous scrubbing; always pat dry with a soft towel to prevent friction-induced irritation.

Step 2: Moisturiser

A well-formulated moisturizer is critical in sensitive skin care—it helps restore the skin’s protective barrier and prevents trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL).

Selection Criteria:

• Choose moisturizers labeled “hypoallergenic,” “for sensitive skin,” or “non-comedogenic.”
• Avoid fragrances, essential oils, alcohols, and harsh preservatives.
• Opt for barrier-repair ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, petrolatum, and cholesterol.

Application Frequency:

• Oily skin: 2 times a day (AM & PM).
• Dry or dehydrated skin: Every 2–3 hours or as needed to combat persistent dryness.

Step 3: Sun Protection

Sensitive or rosacea-prone skin is particularly vulnerable to UV-induced damage. Physical sunscreens (also known as mineral sunscreens) are preferred, as they sit on the skin’s surface and reflect UV rays, minimizing irritation.

Why Choose Physical Sunscreens:

• Contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide
• Less likely to cause stinging or burning compared to chemical filters
• Ideal for post-treatment or rosacea-affected skin

Application Tip: Apply 30 minutes before sun exposure. If sunscreen stings or isn’t tolerated well, use physical barriers such as a wide-brimmed hat, UV-protective clothing, or a tightly-woven cloth wrap

How does rosacea differ from acne?

It is very important to differentiate rosacea in the papulopustular stage from acne because the anti-acne medication can aggravate rosacea. I see a lot of patients with Rosacea taking anti-acne products, remedies and even medications that can harm their skin. I have tabulated the differences between rosacea and acne below:

Rarely, you might have both rosacea and acne; in these cases, you should consult your dermatologist to craft your skin care regimen.

Can I scrub or exfoliate sensitive skin?

Scrubs might cause micro-trauma and induce inflammation in the sensitive skin; so preferably avoid them especially when your skin is irritated. Gentle scrubs meant for daily use can be used once a week or chemical peels can be tried, only under the supervision of a dermatologist. Among peels, milder agents like lactic acid or mandelic acid are preferred.

When should I visit Dermatologist?

People with sensitive skin should always visit their Dermatologist to understand the cause and also for recommendations on an appropriate skin care regime. Re-visit is needed if:

• There is persistent redness, burning or irritation of the skin that does not subside even after removing the triggers.
• If your skin is developing red bumps or pimples, that fail to resolve with above measures.
• If sensitive skin is due to rosacea, regular check ups are required as directed by a physician.
• Any severe outbreak of sensitive skin should ideally be reported to a physician for understanding the reason behind it and for the treatment.