Sensitive skin is not a medical term and is more a layman's term to describing skin that is sensitive to anything like clothes, or sprays or food. Sensitive skin means that the skin is over sensitive to any irritants. One must remember that anything that is applied on the skin the skin may either be immune to it or may react to it. If the skin reacts then it is termed as being sensitive. Most people who have sensitive skin have it because of something that they take or apply on their body. It could be from something as simple as trying to remove unwanted hair to trying out a new perfume or from consuming caffeine or alcohol. One can also have sensitive skin because of an allergy. In this case a rash or small red spots appear on the skin during change of seasons. Also over exposure to the elements like sun, wind or cold weather can cause a rash on the skin of some people.

If a person suddenly gets sensitive skin then one should think what new product have they used. Was it a new soap or a new after shave, or a deodorant that they used? If one is not sure of the reason then it is best to stop using everything on the body and just use water for washing. Then try each product with a gap of at least a week, doing this will help to pinpoint what is causing the skin to become sensitive. The skin can also get sensitive when one is stressed out or has been through a lot of mental pressure. There are a number of reasons for one to get sensitive skin and it can just be restricted to one area of the body or may start from one area and then spread to the rest of the body. Usually a person with sensitive skin feels the skin turning red or breaking out in a rash on the face. This can then spread to other parts of the body. Sensitive skin can be caused because of wool or latex, food, medication, extreme weather, shaving, waxing, laser treatment, fragrances, perfumes, deodorants, soaps, sunscreens, etc. the list of causes for sensitive skin goes on and on. One can even be sensitive to a pet. Most people only develop sensitive skin temporarily and with proper care it stops. That is why sensitive skin is not termed as a permanent skin type or condition. If one has red skin then that is termed as rosacea and is a skin ailment. One should remember that the skin is our first exposure to the external elements like forces of nature and anything that comes in contact with our bodies comes in contact with the skin. So it is the skin that is going to react first. If a skin reaction is caused due to any internal issue that is because something internally in the body has caused the skin to react.

A person's skin can become sensitive at anytime in one's life and it is rare that one is born with sensitive skin. Should this be the case then the person has some allergy like one could be born asthmatic which would cause sensitive skin conditions. One who has sensitive skin or skin that easily reacts to any harsh products should use natural products like oil and soaps that don’t have any fragrance or any additives in them. There are a number of sensitive skin care products that some companies market but one should first get themselves checked to find out what are they sensitive to and then use products that will not irritate their skin. Acne sensitive skin treatment is best prescribed by a skin specialist and one should not experiment on their own. Similarly no one can say with authority what is the best acne treatments for sensitive skin except a qualified person.

For women who have sensitive skin there are sensitive skin cosmetics and nail polish for sensitive skin but it is important to know what all is one sensitive too. Don’t ever take a chance on a product without carefully reading what all it contains as one may be sensitive to anyone of its ingredients.