title: Sensitive skin: perceptions, evaluation, and treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with sensitive skin can present a challenge for dermatologists and cosmetic chemists alike. Knowledge of this common skin condition and appropriate dermatologic treatment, in combination with a rational approach to skin-care product selection, are important to patient well-being.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This report summarizes the subjective and objective findings in patients with sensitive skin while presenting a theory to explain disease physiology. Finally, a recommended treatment approach and formulation guidelines are presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sensitive skin possesses one or more of the following anatomic cutaneous changes: heightened neurosensory input, enhanced immune responsiveness, and/or diminished barrier function. Cosmetic and skin-care product formulation considerations for sensitive skin include products with a paucity of ingredients, absence of common sensitizers, minimum number of irritants, and absence of cutaneous sensory or vasodilatory stimulants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Z D
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Draelos
mesh_terms: D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics