I am the poster child for sensitive skin. Seriously. One wrong ingredient can send my skin into a rash-fueled, stinging spiral or bring about a nasty bout of atopic dermatitis. To prevent such a fiasco, I’ve become an ingredient connoisseur. Show me an INCI list and I’ll be able to say, with the utmost authority, if a product is a skin reaction in the making or sensitive skin-approved. My priorities go as follows: Maintain a healthy skin barrier at all costs, keep hydration high, and decrease inflammation.
“Sensitive skin is caused by a compromised skin barrier, which is the outermost layer that protects the skin,” explains Dr. Martin Smith, a double board-certified allergist and immunologist and the founder of Untoxicated, a skincare brand formulated without 128 allergens. “These people can experience stinging, itching, and burning, or see redness, dryness, bumps, hives, and rashes after applying cosmetic and personal care products."
