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Home > Skin & Beauty > Does Sensitive Skin Age Faster and How to Prevent It?

Does Sensitive Skin Age Faster and How to Prevent It?

Updated on April 14, 2023
9 min read
By Sarita Sanke, MD | Dermatology

In this article:

  • What Is Sensitive Skin?
  • What Makes Sensitive Skin Age Faster?
  • How to Prevent Premature Skin Aging in Sensitive Skin?
  • What Factors Contribute to Sensitive Skin?
  • Most-Asked Questions
  • Final Word

Sensitive skin may age faster due to various factors such as UV radiation, menopause, and natural aging, according to experts.

does sensitive skin age faster?

UV radiation is the most critical factor that causes skin damage, and people with sensitive skin are not able to protect themselves from the sun’s rays for long durations.

Studies have also shown that older people and women after menopause are more likely to have sensitive skin, indicating a possible link between skin sensitivity and aging. Therefore, it can be concluded that sensitive skin tends to age faster. (1)(2)(3)(4)

If you have sensitive skin, you may be curious to know more about this. Take a look at why this happens and how to protect your skin from faster aging by reading on.

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What Is Sensitive Skin?

According to the International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI), sensitive skin is a syndrome characterized by:

  • Abnormal stinging
  • Burning
  • Tingling
  • Pain
  • Pruritus
  • Facial erythema

Sensitive skin affects quality of life. These undesirable aspects of sensitive skin are in response to stimuli that generally should not stimulate such sensations. Furthermore, these unwelcome sensations cannot be justified by any skin disease either. (5)

What Makes Sensitive Skin Age Faster?

The following factors can lead to premature aging of sensitive skin.

1. Altered skin barrier

sensitive skin is characterized by an altered skin barrier

Sensitive skin is characterized by an altered skin barrier, which increases the permeability of the skin. This alteration leads to higher penetration of substances and water loss, which can make the skin more susceptible to damage and aging.

The skin barrier is crucial in safeguarding the skin against environmental factors, mechanical insults, microorganisms, chemicals, and allergens. (6)(7)

2. Thinning of the stratum corneum

The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin, which plays a crucial role in the formation of the skin barrier.

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Sensitive skin is associated with a decrease in the thickness of the stratum corneum, making it more susceptible to irritants that can stimulate inflammatory responses in the body, causing the effects of aging. (6)

3. Dry skin and low fat content

Sensitive skin is often associated with very dry skin with an overall low fat content. Experts say that this dryness can lead to a disturbance of the skin’s protective barrier functioning, making it more vulnerable to damage and aging caused by environmental factors. (6)

4. Aging

Similar changes in the skin barrier are observed in aged people, further indicating how sensitive age can be linked with faster aging. This implies that sensitive skin may be more prone to damage from skin aging.

The skin may lose elasticity, firmness, and hydration due to dehydration and inflammation. (8)

5. Exposure to harsh environmental factors

Sensitive skin can age faster when exposed to harmful environmental factors such as increased UV exposure or harsh chemicals/soaps.

Such factors can trigger sensitive skin, causing inflammation and further dehydration, which can accelerate the aging process. (9)

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6. High inflammatory response

a high inflammatory response can lead to sensitive skin aging faster

Inflammation causes skin aging, and this is supported by the concept of inflammaging. This type of inflammation can gradually cause tissue damage and is considered a driving force for many age-related diseases, including skin aging.

Inflammation can cause oxidative stress and damage to cells, leading to the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers in the skin, resulting in wrinkles, sagging skin, and other signs of aging. (10)

According to dermatologists, since sensitive skin exhibits increased inflammatory response, it may be linked to faster aging based upon inflammaging. Also, as skin ages, it becomes more sensitive to wool, fabrics, detergents, soaps, dyes, and other irritants.

How to Prevent Premature Skin Aging in Sensitive Skin?

These preventative measures can help delay premature skin aging in sensitive skin.

1. Use skin products with the right active ingredients

Cosmetic products are available specifically for sensitive skin and are formulated to minimize the symptoms associated with sensitive skin. Such products are often labeled as suitable for:

  • Sensitive skin
  • Reactive skin
  • Intolerant skin

There are certain active ingredients in certain cosmetic formulations that can be helpful for sensitive skin as per research. This understanding is significant for dermatologists and healthcare professionals so they can deliver tailored advice to patients based on their symptoms.

Ingredients that are used in these products can decrease skin inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier. Such ingredients include: (11)

  • Niacinamide
  • Avena sativa
  • Allantoin
  • Glycyrrhetinic acid and derivatives
  • Panthenol

2. Do not use products that may trigger skin sensitivity

If you have sensitive skin, carefully read the labels of the products you’re buying to avoid specific types of ingredients that can be bad for your skin type.

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Consider the following points when buying skin care products: (6)

  • Buy products with a fewer number of active ingredients.
  • Do not buy products that contain allergens and common irritants.
  • Avoid ingredients that enhance the penetration of other substances into the skin. These include ethanol and propylene glycol.
  • Choose powder cosmetics over creams or lotions.
  • Use cosmetics that can be easily removed with water.
  • Avoid the use of products with fragrance.

3. Protect your skin from the sun every day

protect your skin from sun exposure to avoid premature skin aging

The sun plays a major role in premature aging, especially in those with sensitive skin. Therefore, protect yourself from photoaging.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, sun protection is a must to prevent premature aging. You can do so by:

  • Covering yourself well with clothing
  • Wearing lightweight and long-sleeved shirts
  • Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen that has at least SPF 30 and is water resistant

4. Moisturize your skin daily

Sensitive skin often manifests as personal whines of distress without observable signs of irritation. Studies have shown that the daily use of moisturizer for 4 months leads to an improved skin barrier function with a decrease in skin sensitivity.

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This is because proper skin hydration assists in the healing and maintenance of the skin protection barrier. Moisturizers with only a few ingredients and without perfume or irritating substances such as urea are suggested. (4)(6)

The novel components in moisturizers that are likely to have positive effects on skin aging include: (9)

  • Glycerin
  • Paraffinum liquidum
  • Sodium PCA
  • Panthenol

What Factors Contribute to Sensitive Skin?

Certain factors can make you more prone to having sensitive skin. (6)

1. Ethnicity

Racial distinctions in the structure of the skin may be linked with manifestations of sensitive skin.

Thin skin is more inclined to turn red due to skin barrier deterioration. Thus, the occurrence of erythema is more common in white people than in Blacks and Asians.

2. Age

Sensitive skin is more commonly seen in people over 18 years.

3. Presence of skin issues

skin issues like dermatitis, acne, etc. can lead to sensitive skin

Skin problems can cause you to have sensitive skin. These skin issues include:

  • Dermatitis (atopic, seborrheic, and contact)
  • Acne
  • Rosacea
  • Psoriasis
  • Physical urticaria

4. Environmental factors

Certain environmental factors can contribute to skin sensitivity. These include:

  • Low temperature
  • Humidity
  • Wind
  • Heat
  • Sun exposure
  • Pollution

5. Cosmetic products

Overuse or inappropriate use of cosmetics can trigger sensitive skin. Moreover, the presence of irritating ingredients in cosmetics can be bad for the skin. These include:

  • Alpha-hydroxy acids
  • Propylene glycol
  • Alcohol
  • Fragrances

Most-Asked Questions

Where is sensitive skin observed on the body?

where is sensitive skin observed on the body?

Sensitive skin is more common on the face, surface of the forearms, hands, genital region, and scalp. (6)

Can sensitive skin ever become serious?

Dermatologists explain that, although it is very rare, there is a tiny possibility for a person to encounter a life-threatening allergic reaction to a product that irritates the skin.

Can I bathe daily if I have sensitive skin?

Yes, experts advise you to bathe daily even if you have sensitive skin. Just avoid very hot showers.

Final Word

It is important to manage sensitive skin with the right products and skin care steps to prevent the onset of premature signs of aging.

It can be a consistent battle to find skin care products that work well with such a skin type as skin care products usually contain artificial fragrances and other elements that may trigger sensitive skin.

But remember, if you learn to avoid triggers, choose your skin care products carefully, and perform other important steps such as proper sun protection, you can have glowing skin in no time.

References
  1. Chaudhary M, Khan A, Gupta M. Skin Ageing: Pathophysiology and Current Market Treatment Approaches. Curr Aging Sci. 2020;13(1):22-30. doi:10.2174/1567205016666190809161115.
  2. Fisher GJ, Wang ZQ, Datta SC, Varani J, Kang S, Voorhees JJ. Pathophysiology of premature skin aging induced by ultraviolet light. N Engl J Med. 1997;337(20):1419-1428. doi:10.1056/NEJM199711133372003.
  3. InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. How much sun is too much? 2011 Jul 22 [Updated 2018 Nov 29]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK321117/.
  4. Farage MA. The Prevalence of Sensitive Skin. Front Med (Lausanne). 2019;6:98. Published 2019 May 17. doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00098.
  5. Wollenberg A, Giménez-Arnau A. Sensitive skin: A relevant syndrome, be aware. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022;36 Suppl 5:3-5. doi:10.1111/jdv.17903.
  6. Duarte I, Silveira JEPS, Hafner MFS, Toyota R, Pedroso DMM. Sensitive skin: review of an ascending concept. An Bras Dermatol. 2017;92(4):521-525. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.201756111.
  7. Lee AY. Molecular Mechanism of Epidermal Barrier Dysfunction as Primary Abnormalities. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(4):1194. Published 2020 Feb 11. doi:10.3390/ijms21041194.
  8. Author links open overlay panelEung Ho Choi MD, AbstractThe skin barrier is mainly present in the stratum corneum (SC), Zettersten EM, et al. Aging of the skin barrier. Clinics in Dermatology. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0738081X19300768. Published April 26, 2019.
  9. Spada F, Lui AH, Barnes TM. Use of formulations for sensitive skin improves the visible signs of aging, including wrinkle size and elasticity. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:415-425. Published 2019 Jun 6. doi:10.2147/CCID.S212240.
  10. Zhuang Y, Lyga J. Inflammaging in skin and other tissues – the roles of complement system and macrophage. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets. 2014;13(3):153-161. doi:10.2174/1871528113666140522112003.
  11. Ferreira MS, Sousa Lobo JM, Almeida IF. Sensitive skin: Active ingredients on the spotlight. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2022;44(1):56-73. doi:10.1111/ics.12754.
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