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The complex problem of sensitive skin.

Marie Marriott1, Jo Holmes, Lisa Peters

  • 1Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever Colworth Laboratory, Sharnbrook, Bedford, MK44 1LQ, UK. marie.marriott@unilever.com

Contact Dermatitis
|July 22, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Individuals with sensitive skin do not show consistent reactions to various irritants. Testing for skin sensitivity to one substance does not predict sensitivity to another, suggesting a complex response to skincare products.

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Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Cosmetic Science
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Sensitive skin is characterized by heightened reactivity to typically tolerable substances.
  • Previous research indicates a lack of consistent correlation between different sensitivity endpoints.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interrelationships between various endpoints associated with sensitive skin.
  • To determine if susceptibility to one type of skin irritant predicts sensitivity to others.

Main Methods:

  • Volunteers were exposed to lactic acid, ethanol, menthol, and capsaicin on the nasolabial fold.
  • Urticant susceptibility was tested using benzoic acid and trans-cinnamic acid on the forearm.
  • Irritant susceptibility was assessed via patch testing with sodium dodecyl sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, and benzalkonium chloride.

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Main Results:

  • Increased susceptibility to one tested endpoint did not predict sensitivity to another.
  • Nasolabial stinging was found to be a poor indicator of general skin sensitivity.
  • Individuals with generally heightened non-immunologic skin reactivity may exist but require further study.

Conclusions:

  • Skin sensitivity is not a uniform trait; individuals react differently to various chemical and physical stimuli.
  • Current testing methods do not reliably predict overall sensitive skin status.
  • Further research is needed to identify individuals prone to sensitive skin reactions and their link to skincare product issues.