Sensitive

Sensitive skin describes reactivity rather than oil level, so it sits on top of any other type and oily sensitive skin is as common as dry sensitive skin. Reactions show up as stinging within a minute of application, flushing, tightness, small bumps or patchy redness that takes hours to settle. Frequent triggers include fragrance, essential oils, denatured alcohol high in the ingredient list, strong acids and retinoids, and sometimes plain friction or hot water.

Filtering is mostly about what you leave out. Short ingredient lists cut the number of suspects. Fragrance-free is the useful label, because unscented can still mean a masking fragrance was added to cover a base smell. Patch test properly rather than by feel. Apply a small amount to the inner forearm or behind the ear once a day for several days. Introduce one new product at a time with two weeks between additions, or a reaction cannot be traced to anything.

Slowness is the price. Actives that work on pigmentation or lines need lower strengths and longer runways here, and stinging is not evidence that a product is working. Some limits are worth stating plainly. Swelling, hives, blistering or any difficulty breathing needs urgent medical attention rather than a gentler cleanser. Recurring redness, flushing or rash patterns deserve a dermatologist, since rosacea, eczema and contact allergy resemble each other closely and are treated in completely different ways.