If you have sensitive skin, you know that it can be tough to find products that work for you. Introducing new things into your routine can be a gamble. You probably

"Sensitive skin is skin that becomes irritated easily, usually manifesting as red, dry, and sometimes itchy skin (also known as irritant contact dermatitis)," explains board-certified dermatologist Naissan O. Wesley, MD, Arbonne's scientific advisor. "In sensitive skin, this typically occurs after application of topical skincare products that most others would not have that reaction to. Some people with sensitive skin may also have a true allergy to certain topicals, known as allergic contact dermatitis, manifesting as the above symptoms or welts (hives), blisters, or crusts on the skin surface. People with dermatologic conditions such as eczema or rosacea may also suffer from sensitive skin."

A sensitive skin reaction can occur from a disruption in the lipid barrier, the stratum corneum, which is a protective layer on the external surface of the skin that helps trap moisture and protect from irritants like dry air, perfumes, dyes, and sunlight, says board-certified nurse practitioner and founder of Bare Aesthetic Vanessa Coppola, APN-C, FNP-BC. "The protective lipid-rich layer of our skin can become damaged or weakened by simple everyday actives such as frequent bathing or handwashing, outdoor exposure, and the normal changes that occur as part of the aging process," she adds.