Perceptions of sensitive skin: Changes in perceived severity and associations with environmental causes
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The number of individuals who perceive themselves to have sensitive skin appear to be on the increase. A single definition of this condition remains elusive. OBJECTIVES: We used an epidemiological approach to evaluate the reasons why responders feel they have sensitive skin, how their skin has changed over time, and if there are sex, ethnic, and age group differences. METHODS: A total of 1039 individuals filled out standard questionnaires. Respondents were not selected based on any criteria related to sensitive skin but consisted of individuals participating in other studies. RESULTS: About 53% stated that their skin had been sensitive for more than 5 years, and 31% claimed that their skin has become more sensitive. When asked to describe why they have sensitive skin, severe weather was the reason most commonly selected. Visual (redness/swelling) and sensory (burning/stinging) reactions to products was also selected as the reason. Caucasians more often claimed that products produced visual effects, whereas African-Americans more often claimed that products produced sensory effects. The environmental factor most strongly associated with sensitive skin was stress. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the data support the generally accepted definition of sensitive skin as a reduced tolerance to cosmetics and toiletries; however, many individuals feel they have sensitive skin for other reasons unrelated to cosmetics and toiletries.
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Approximately 50 to almost 70% of women reported skin sensitivity worldwide (Farage, ~2008).
“For example, approximately ten years ago, Farage from Procter and Gamble reported that 50 to almost 70% of women reported skin sensitivity worldwide [4].”
Stress was the factor most strongly associated with perceived sensitive skin, especially on the face.
“Moreover, the study by Farage in 2008 showed that stress was the factor most strongly associated with perceived sensitive skin especially on the face [4].”
Environmental factors are strongly associated with sensitive skin.
“Environmental factors are strongly associated with sensitive skin [4].”
Cold weather was perceived by the highest percentage of subjects overall (81%) as causing skin irritation.
“Notably, the investigation by Farage, in 2008, reported that of all the environmental factors, cold weather was perceived by the highest percentage of subjects overall (81%) as causing skin irritation [4].”
Cites
Agresti, A. (2002) · Wiley Series in Probability and Statistics · doi:10.1002/0471249688 · Cited by 6,746 · see citing works
Sensitive skin: an epidemiological study
Willis, C. M., Shaw, S., de Lacharrière, O., Baverel, M., Reiche, L., Jourdain, R., Bastien, P., & Wilkinson, J. D. (2001) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.2001.04343.x · Cited by 275 · see citing works
Sensory, clinical and physiological factors in sensitive skin: a review
Farage, M. A., Κατσαρού, Α., & Maïbach, H. I. (2006) · Contact Dermatitis · doi:10.1111/j.0105-1873.2006.00886.x · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Self-citationEthnic variations in self‐perceived sensitive skin: epidemiological survey
Jourdain, R., de Lacharrière, O., Bastien, P., & Maïbach, H. I. (2002) · Contact Dermatitis · doi:10.1034/j.1600-0536.2002.460307.x · Cited by 154 · see citing works
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(2006) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.3109/9781420004601 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Characteristics of Self-estimated Enhanced Skin Susceptibility
Löffler, H. (2001) · Acta Dermato Venereologica · doi:10.1080/000155501317140052 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Self-reported immunological and familial links in individuals who perceive they have sensitive skin
Farage, M. A. (2008) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08585.x · Cited by 22 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Farage, M. A.
- Affiliations
- Procter & Gamble (United States) (US)
- Corresponding author
- Farage, Miranda A.
- ORCID
- Farage, Miranda A.
- Venue
- Contact Dermatitis
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2008-09-30
- Volume
- 59
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 226-232
- ISSN
- 0105-1873 (ISSN-L)
- 1600-0536
- OpenAlex
- W2095244876
- Cited by
- 66
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 5.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Contact Dermatitis (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Contact Dermatitis and Allergies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
- Keywords
- sensitive skin, perceived severity, environmental triggers, weather, stress, racial differences, sex differences, age differences
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Attitude to Health, Cosmetics, Environmental Exposure, Environmental Pollutants, Female, Humans, Hypersensitivity, Immediate, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Self Concept, Skin Physiological Phenomena, United States, Weather, Dermatitis, Allergic Contact
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