PoreWise
中文

Skin concern

Sensitive skin

Primary source

Sensitive skin: unpleasant sensations, stinging, burning, pain, itching or tingling, with skin that can look normal or show redness. It is a symptom description. The strongest evidence comes from a 2025 human trial: In 88 women with sensitive skin, a face cream containing Centella asiatica leaf extract, ceramide NP and panthenol lowered the SS-10 symptom score by 66% at week 2 and 76% at week 4, with irritation, tautness, itching and redness all significantly reduced. 7 ingredients have evidence for Sensitive skin: Centella asiatica, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol. 2 of the 8 findings concern a risk.

Sensitive skin is defined by what you feel. What has been measured in people with reactive skin covers benefit as well as stinging, irritation and sensitisation; findings about stinging.

Where the definition comes from

Source wording

“A syndrome defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations (stinging, burning, pain, pruritus, and tingling sensations) in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke such sensations. These unpleasant sensations cannot be explained by lesions attributable to any skin disease. The skin can appear normal or be accompanied by erythema. Sensitive skin can affect all body locations, especially the face.” — the definition reached by Delphi process, quoted from the position paper's abstract.

Definition of Sensitive Skin: An Expert Position Paper from the Special Interest Group on Sensitive Skin of the International Forum for the Study of Itch Acta Dermato-Venereologica (Misery et al.)

Ingredients at a glance

2025 · 88 people · women with sensitive skin · PMID 40682399

Ingredient Measured outcome Based on Certainty Year
Centella asiatica, Ceramide NP, Panthenol Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2025
Ceramide NP Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2026
Panthenol Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2024
Niacinamide Skin effect Human trial Low 2005
Panthenol Sensitization Review article Low 2026
Cetearyl Alcohol Irritation Review article Low 1985
Salicylic Acid Irritation Review article Very low 2020
Phenoxyethanol Legal limits Official legal text High 2016

Studies and results

  1. 1 Centella asiatica Ceramide NP Panthenol Skin effect
    The Effectiveness and Safety of a Skin Care Product With Centella asiatica Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, and Panthenol in Subjects With Sensitive Skin: A Prospective, Observational Study

    In 88 women with sensitive skin, a face cream containing Centella asiatica leaf extract, ceramide NP and panthenol lowered the SS-10 symptom score by 66% at week 2 and 76% at week 4, with irritation, tautness, itching and redness all significantly reduced.

    Human trial · 2025 · 88 people · women with sensitive skin · Chinese women with sensitive skin applying the cream to the whole face, followed up at day 2, weeks 1, 2 and 4. · Observational and self-controlled.

    PMID 40682399

    Read the full finding →
    Source:The Effectiveness and Safety of a Skin Care Product With Centella asiatica Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, and Panthenol in Subjects With Sensitive Skin: A Prospective, Observational Study
  2. 2 Ceramide NP Skin effect
    Monocentric, Vehicle-Controlled, Double-Blind Study to Assess the Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Ceramide NP C15-Containing Emollient on the Skin Microbiome and the Skin Barrier Function in Sensitive Skin

    In a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled split-body trial of 50 people with sensitive skin, an emollient containing Ceramide NP C15 significantly reduced transepidermal water loss in participants with an impaired skin barrier over 6 weeks.

    Human trial · 2026 · 50 people · people with sensitive skin · People with sensitive skin applying the emollient in a split-body design for 6 weeks; the barrier improvement was clearest in those whose barrier was already impaired. · Exploratory; both the ceramide formulation and the vehicle improved subjective symptoms, and the significant TEWL reduction was seen specifically in the impaired-barrier subgroup.

    PMID 41758783

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Monocentric, Vehicle-Controlled, Double-Blind Study to Assess the Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Ceramide NP C15-Containing Emollient on the Skin Microbiome and the Skin Barrier Function in Sensitive Skin
  3. 3 Panthenol Skin effect
    Efficacy and safety of a cream containing panthenol, prebiotics, and probiotic lysate for improving sensitive skin symptoms

    In 110 people with facial sensitive skin, a cream containing panthenol used twice daily for 28 days significantly increased stratum corneum moisture and reduced erythema index, redness (a* value) and transepidermal water loss.

    Human trial · 2024 · 110 people · people with facial sensitive skin · People with facial sensitive skin applying the cream twice daily for 28 days. · Panthenol was combined with prebiotics and a probiotic lysate.

    PMID 38186043

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Efficacy and safety of a cream containing panthenol, prebiotics, and probiotic lysate for improving sensitive skin symptoms
  4. 4 Niacinamide Skin effect
    Niacinamide-containing facial moisturizer improves skin barrier and benefits subjects with rosacea

    A facial moisturiser containing niacinamide improved stratum corneum barrier function and skin hydration, measured instrumentally, in people with rosacea over four weeks of twice-daily use.

    Human trial · 2005 · 50 people · Adults with rosacea · A leave-on facial moisturiser, applied twice daily for four weeks, in adults with rosacea. · The tested article was a finished moisturiser. Fifty participants, one centre, four weeks. The study measured barrier function and hydration.

    PMID 16209160

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Niacinamide-containing facial moisturizer improves skin barrier and benefits subjects with rosacea
  5. 5 Cetearyl Alcohol Irritation
    Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Stearyl Alcohol, Oleyl Alcohol, and Octyl Dodecanol

    The CIR expert panel's 1985 assessment of stearyl alcohol reports minimal to mild cutaneous irritation in rabbit tests, and a very low order of irritation and sensitization in clinical patch testing. It concluded that stearyl alcohol is safe as used in cosmetics.

    Review article · 1985 · People using cosmetics containing stearyl alcohol; clinical patch-test subjects · Stearyl alcohol, one of the two fatty alcohols that cetearyl alcohol is made of, at the use concentrations reported to the panel. · It assesses stearyl alcohol. It was published in 1985 and relies largely on data submitted by the ingredient trade association. "Very low order" is the panel's wording.

    DOI 10.3109/10915818509078685

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Stearyl Alcohol, Oleyl Alcohol, and Octyl Dodecanol
  6. 6 Phenoxyethanol Legal limits
    Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) - Final version of the opinion on Phenoxyethanol in cosmetic products

    The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety concluded in 2016 that 2-phenoxyethanol is safe as a preservative at a maximum of 1.0%, which is the limit already set in Annex V/29 of the EU Cosmetics Regulation. It estimated a margin of safety of about 50 for children.

    Official legal text · 2016 · Consumers of cosmetic products, including children · Phenoxyethanol used as a preservative in cosmetic products, at or below 1.0%. · The dossier behind the conclusion was submitted by Cosmetics Europe, the industry association, and the committee lowered the default toxicokinetic factor from 4.0 to 1.0 on its way to the 1.0% conclusion. The final opinion kept 1.0%.

    DOI 10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.11.007

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) - Final version of the opinion on Phenoxyethanol in cosmetic products

Risks found for this concern

  1. 1 Panthenol Sensitization
    Pantothenic Acid as an Unexpected Cause of Hypersensitivity to Sensitive or Atopic Skin Care Products - A Narrative Review

    Panthenol is treated as non-allergenic, this review argues that frequent exposure, especially on damaged skin, can produce hypersensitivity to it. The likely route is a delayed (type IV) contact reaction; immediate and mixed reactions remain possible. Proposes patch testing with the patient's own product and with panthenol 5% in petrolatum.

    Review article · 2026 · People with atopic or damaged skin using panthenol-containing products · People who use panthenol products repeatedly, particularly those with atopic or damaged skin - the group the author says is most exposed. · A single-author narrative review. The mechanism it proposes is stated as likely. Read it as a reason to keep panthenol on the list of possible allergens.

    PMID 42514853

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Pantothenic Acid as an Unexpected Cause of Hypersensitivity to Sensitive or Atopic Skin Care Products - A Narrative Review
  2. 2 Salicylic Acid Irritation
    Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulphur, zinc and fruit acid (alpha-hydroxy acid) for acne

    Trials of topical salicylic acid for acne reported application-site reactions such as scaling and redness.

    Review article · 2020 · People with mild to moderate acne in the included trials · Topical salicylic acid in acne trials, mainly leave-on use over eight weeks or longer. · The review graded the salicylic acid adverse-event comparisons as very low certainty.

    PMID 32356369

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulphur, zinc and fruit acid (alpha-hydroxy acid) for acne

Study limits

Study conditions and measured outcomes.

  • Centella asiatica, Ceramide NP, Panthenol Human trial · 2025

    Observational and self-controlled.

  • Ceramide NP Human trial · 2026

    Exploratory; both the ceramide formulation and the vehicle improved subjective symptoms, and the significant TEWL reduction was seen specifically in the impaired-barrier subgroup.

  • Panthenol Human trial · 2024

    Panthenol was combined with prebiotics and a probiotic lysate.

  • Niacinamide Human trial · 2005

    The tested article was a finished moisturiser. Fifty participants, one centre, four weeks. The study measured barrier function and hydration.

  • Panthenol Review article · 2026

    A single-author narrative review. The mechanism it proposes is stated as likely. Read it as a reason to keep panthenol on the list of possible allergens.

  • Cetearyl Alcohol Review article · 1985

    It assesses stearyl alcohol. It was published in 1985 and relies largely on data submitted by the ingredient trade association. "Very low order" is the panel's wording.

  • Salicylic Acid Review article · 2020

    The review graded the salicylic acid adverse-event comparisons as very low certainty.

  • Phenoxyethanol Official legal text · 2016

    The dossier behind the conclusion was submitted by Cosmetics Europe, the industry association, and the committee lowered the default toxicokinetic factor from 4.0 to 1.0 on its way to the 1.0% conclusion. The final opinion kept 1.0%.

Products with a basis for this

42 products · Azelaic Acid 10% + Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum · Calming Barrier Serum · 2025 · 88 people · women with sensitive skin · PMID 40682399

Common questions

Which ingredients have been studied for Sensitive skin?
Ingredients with evidence for Sensitive skin: Centella asiatica, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol.
How many people were studied?
8 findings · 2025 · 88 people · women with sensitive skin · PMID 40682399
What can I use for Sensitive skin?
Centella asiatica, Ceramide NP, Panthenol · 2025 · 88 people · women with sensitive skin · PMID 40682399
Can I use these every day for Sensitive skin?
People with facial sensitive skin applying the cream twice daily for 28 days（2024 · 110 participants · 110 people with facial sensitive skin · PMID 38186043） A leave-on facial moisturiser, applied twice daily for four weeks, in adults with rosacea（2005 · 50 participants · Adults with rosacea · PMID 16209160）
Can sensitive skin use these?
Chinese women with sensitive skin applying the cream to the whole face, followed up at day 2, weeks 1, 2 and 4（2025 · 88 participants · 88 women with sensitive skin · PMID 40682399） People with sensitive skin applying the emollient in a split-body design for 6 weeks; the barrier improvement was clearest in those whose barrier was already impaired（2026 · 50 participants · 50 people with sensitive skin · PMID 41758783）

Other concerns

Acne marks and scars Acne and breakouts Barrier damage Blackheads Bumps and rough texture Closed comedones Combination skin Dark circles Dark spots Skincare for deeper skin tones Dehydrated skin Dryness Dull skin Eczema and atopic dermatitis Hyperpigmentation Large pores Loss of firmness Melasma Skincare for men Oily skin Skincare while on acne medication Peeling and flaking Perioral dermatitis Skincare during pregnancy Psoriasis Facial redness Rosacea Sebaceous filaments Sun damage Sun protection Teenage skin Uneven skin tone Wrinkles and fine lines