Sensitive skin

 Sensitive skin is skin that reacts more easily than normal to external triggers. It’s not always visible, but it’s always something you can feel. While some people are born with sensitive skin, others develop it over time due to skin barrier disruption. It can manifest as visible or sensory changes in:

  • redness
  • burning or stinging
  • skin texture
  • dryness or oiliness
  • overreactivity
  • breakouts

Deep Dive on Sensitive Skin

What’s the difference between sensitive and reactive skin?

Sensitive skin is a skin type - consistently more prone to irritation.

  • Reactive skin is a temporary state - inflamed, compromised, or overstimulated - often caused by over-exfoliation, allergies, temperature changes, stress, or hormonal shifts.
  • You can have both, but they need slightly different care: think daily support for sensitive skin and a recovery reset for reactive skin.

Can oily skin be sensitive? 

Absolutely. Sensitive skin isn’t always dry - it can be oily, combo, or acne-prone. Oil production doesn’t protect against sensitivity. If your skin is oily and reactive, barrier support is still essential.

Which hormones affect sensitive skin? 

Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can impact how your skin behaves. Fluctuations due to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, or fertility treatments can trigger sensitivity and disrupt barrier function.

Is sensitive skin permanent?

Not always. Some people are born with it; others just need a season of extra care for their skin, as they developed the reactivity due barrier damage, overuse of actives (particularly low quality ones), or hormonal changes.

Is it rosacea or sensitive skin?

It can be hard to tell - rosacea and sensitive skin can look and feel very similar, but they’re not the same.

  • Sensitive skin is a skin type - it reacts easily to triggers like weather, stress, or certain ingredients. It can come and go, and it doesn’t always involve visible redness.
  • Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that often includes persistent redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, and sometimes breakouts or texture changes - especially around the cheeks, nose, and chin.

But whether it’s rosacea or sensitivity, your skin needs the same things: calm, consistency, and barrier support. Always consult a doctor for medical advice.

How do I change my routine if it's in a reactive, sensitive flare-up?

Focus on barrier repair and care with oils, ceramides, niacinamide. Make sure to switch to a gentler cleanser like Ceramic Slip Clay Cleanser or Aquamarine Melt Cleansing Balm. Avoid harsh abrasives like scrubs and be selective when choosing retinoids or AHAs (see more below).

Can I use retinol / retinoids if I have sensitive skin?

Yes, but choosing the right retinoid makes all the difference. Retinoids aren’t a one-size-fits-all ingredient - there are many options in the retinoid family, each with different strengths, conversion steps, and levels of irritation. Traditional forms like retinol or tretinoin can be effective, but often come with peeling, redness, and barrier disruption, especially for sensitive skin.
 

That’s why we use Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) in our formulas - an advanced, esterified form of retinoic acid that binds directly to the skin's retinoid receptors, bypassing the harsh conversion process. It offers visible results - smoother texture, refined pores, firmer-looking skin - with minimal irritation.


At Sunday Riley, we’ve built a range of HPR-powered options so you can find the right retinoid, no matter how reactive your skin feels.

Can I use Good Genes if I have sensitive skin?

 Absolutely! Good Genes is an ideal exfoliant for people with sensitive skin. Good Genes uses lactic acid, a gentler AHA that exfoliates the skin's surface while helping retain moisture. It’s one of the most well-tolerated acids for sensitive skin. If your skin is reactive or compromised, alternate nights with Good Genes and retinoids, instead of layering.

My skin reacts to Vitamin C. Can I never use it?

You can, you just need to make some changes! Not all forms of Vitamin C are friendly to sensitive skin. Traditional Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is water-soluble, highly unstable, and often formulated at a low pH to stay active. It can potentially sting, irritate, or disrupt the skin barrier - especially for those with sensitivity or reactive skin. That’s why we use Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD Ascorbate), a next-generation form of Vitamin C that’s less likely to oxidize or trigger sensitivity in reactive skin.