If your skin has ever gone red, stingy, or thrown a full-blown tantrum over something “gentle,” you’re not alone. Sensitive skin is basically that friend who’s lovely when she’s calm but unpredictable when she’s triggered. The trick? Figuring out what’s winding her up in the first place. Spoiler: it’s not always the product you put on yesterday.
Let’s talk about the sneaky culprits that can send your skin spiralling — and how to calm things down.
1. Medications: The Quiet Agitators
Some meds (think steroids, antibiotics, antidepressants, blood pressure pills) quietly meddle with your immune system. And because your skin borrows the same immune system as the rest of your body, it ends up weaker, slower to heal, and more reactive.
Here’s how:
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Some drugs literally press “mute” on your immune system (hello steroids).
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Others keep it distracted processing toxins, so it’s too busy to fix your skin.
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Antibiotics can throw your gut microbiome out of whack (and 70% of your immunity lives there).
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Even everyday anti-inflammatories block your body’s natural “repair signals.”
Bottom line: Most meds add stress to your skin’s defences. You don’t need to panic (never ditch your prescriptions without medical advice), but do be extra kind to your barrier and give it all the support it can get.
2. Steroid Creams: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Yes, they can calm flare-ups in the short term, but long-term? They’re basically gaslighting your skin.
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They suppress your skin’s immune system (so it can’t actually defend itself).
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They speed up aging by blocking collagen and elastin repair.
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They thin out the barrier, making even “gentle” products sting.
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And when you stop using them? Cue rebound flare-ups — often worse than before.
The truth: Steroids don’t heal sensitivity; they mask it while slowly weakening your skin.
3. Over-Exfoliation: Glow Now, Pay Later
We get it. Smooth, glowy skin is tempting. But if you’re scrubbing, peeling, or acid-layering daily? Your barrier is crying.
Here’s what too much exfoliation actually does:
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Strips off your stratum corneum (your built-in shield).
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Triggers inflammation + free radical damage → speeds up aging.
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Makes your skin pump out more oil to “fix” the problem (hello breakouts).
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Dials down natural UV protection (like having an SPF of –10).
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Confuses your skin’s natural renewal cycle, leaving it thin and reactive.
Moral of the story: Your skin already knows how to exfoliate. A gentle nudge once in a while? Great. A daily assault? Recipe for redness, oiliness, and sensitivity.
4. Infections & Toxins: The Inside Job
Sometimes sensitivity isn’t skin-deep.
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Infections (like Candida or H. Pylori) overload your immune system, release toxic by-products, and steal energy from collagen repair. The result? Red, fragile skin that can’t hold a barrier.
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Toxins (from food, water, air, even meds) overwhelm your liver and kidneys. When they’re maxed out, your skin steps in as a backup detox organ — pushing toxins out as rashes, acne, or sensitivity. Add oxidative stress, and suddenly your skin looks older, thinner, and way less resilient.
Takeaway: If your skin feels like it’s reacting to everything, sometimes the root cause is inside. Supporting your gut, liver, and immune system can be just as important as what you put on top.
5. Stress: The Underrated Skin Saboteur
And not just the “I’m busy at work” kind — stress hits on all levels.
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Environmental: Pollution, pesticides, extreme heat or cold, UV, EMFs… all pile on inflammation and barrier damage.
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Psychological: Anxiety, grief, chronic stress crank up cortisol, which suppresses immunity and slows repair. Over time, circulation drops, oxygen and nutrients dwindle, and skin starts to thin.
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Spiritual: Sounds woo-woo, but when you feel disconnected or stuck, your body stays in low-grade stress mode. Elevated cortisol becomes the “new normal,” which means barrier breakdown and—you guessed it—sensitivity.
Big Picture: Stress (whether from toxins, thoughts, or your environment) weakens the very systems your skin relies on. Less defence = more redness, fragility, and overreactions.
So What’s the Fix?
Sensitive skin isn’t “bad skin.” It’s just waving a little white flag, asking for less drama and more support. The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your whole life — just a few mindful swaps can make a huge difference:
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Protect your barrier with gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and serums.
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Ease off the immune-suppressors and harsh exfoliants (your barrier will thank you).
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Support your gut and detox organs so your skin doesn’t have to do all the heavy lifting.
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Calm your nervous system as much as your skin (stress shows up on your face, too).
And a very important note: if you’re currently on medication, please don’t ditch them without speaking to your doctor first. There are always safe ways to support your skin alongside medical treatment.
When your body feels safe, your skin will too.
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