Sensitive vs Sensitised Skin: What’s the Difference and How to Treat It

Sensitive skin is something most of us have experienced at some point. In fact, it affects approximately 50% of the global population. But what many don’t realise is that “sensitised skin” is a completely different condition with near-identical symptoms but very different causes and treatment approaches.

Understanding the difference between the two is key to building a skincare routine that protects, heals and strengthens your skin barrier naturally.

Making the Distinction Between Sensitive and Sensitised Skin

Sensitive skin is a genetic condition. It means your skin is naturally predisposed to react strongly to certain triggers. These can include specific skincare ingredients, weather changes or fabrics. The symptoms such as redness, itching or stinging are often consistent and reoccur over time. For those with true sensitive skin, gentle, clean skincare without harsh additives can significantly calm and protect the skin long-term.

Sensitised skin, however, is acquired. It develops over time due to external factors and lifestyle choices. You aren’t born with it and it can affect anyone, regardless of age or skin type. This form of sensitivity results when your skin’s barrier becomes compromised, making it more reactive to everyday irritants. Triggers can include over-exfoliation, harsh skincare routines, pollution, stress or even diet. Flare-ups may appear suddenly, even if your skin has never been sensitive before.

Which One Are You?

Identifying which category you fall into takes some reflection. If you’ve always had reactions to certain ingredients or environmental conditions, and your family shares similar skin issues, you likely have sensitive skin. But if your sensitivity is new or began after a product change, lifestyle shift or period of stress, you’re probably dealing with sensitised skin.

Tracking what happened just before the reaction such as starting a new product or switching SPF can help you determine the cause and avoid future flare-ups.

How to Manage Sensitive and Sensitised Skin

Once you know what you’re working with, you can take the right steps. Whether you’re dealing with sensitive or sensitised skin, the first priority is to avoid harsh ingredients. These include alcohols, sulphates, synthetic fragrance, essential oils, parabens and strong chemical sunscreen agents. While many products claim to be suitable for sensitive skin, only truly fragrance free skincare and natural formulations are gentle enough to support your skin’s healing without irritation.

Fortunately, skincare has come a long way, especially in the clean, natural category. Organic skincare powered by nature is making meaningful breakthroughs in calming inflammation and rebuilding the skin’s defences.

Why Ingredient Extraction Matters

At Vemel, we’ve always believed it’s not just the ingredient that matters, but how it’s extracted and preserved. With new formulation technologies, we’re now able to harness more powerful yet gentle plant-based actives and biotech skincare ingredients without compromising purity.

These include:

• Natural alternatives to harsh actives like vitamin C or retinol

• Probiotic, microbiome-friendly ingredients

• CO2 extraction and green chemistry methods

• Biotech fermentation (used in Collamung Ferment)

• Cell culture technology for sustainable, high-potency extracts

• Upcycled ingredients from food and agriculture waste

This innovation allows us to create waterless skincare that is more concentrated, more effective and less reactive, especially for sensitised and delicate skin types.

A More Gentle Way to Get Results

For too long, skincare results were associated with high-potency actives that force the skin into rapid turnover. But for anyone with a compromised skin barrier, that approach only leads to further inflammation and long-term damage.

Instead, we advocate for a reparative, restorative approach. Our formulations use naturally-derived ingredients that support skin cell regeneration and barrier repair without forcing it. Over time, this can help reduce inflammation, increase moisture retention and create stronger, more resilient skin without irritation.

Personalised Skincare Advice

If this resonates with you, why not book a 1:1 consultation with our founder Agi? At Vemel, we believe there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, especially when it comes to sensitive or sensitised skin. With her years of formulation experience and passion for healing, Agi has helped countless customers uncover the root cause of their sensitivity and find a routine that truly works.

Final Thoughts

Knowing whether your skin is sensitive or sensitised empowers you to make smarter decisions. When you understand your triggers and choose clean, fragrance free skincare designed for barrier support, you give your skin the best chance to heal.

All it takes is a little attention, a shift in perspective and a commitment to a more conscious wellness routine that honours your skin, inside and out.