Rethinking sensitive skin care solutions

Powerful yet gentle: Rethinking sensitive skin care solutions

What is sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin refers to a condition where individuals experience unpleasant sensations—such as stinging, itching, or burning—in response to stimuli that wouldn't usually cause irritation. These reactions can occur even when the skin looks completely normal. Sensitive skin commonly affects the face but can also appear on other body parts.

Key concerns and causes of sensitive skin

Sensitive skin is caused by overly sensitive nerve endings in the skin that trigger discomfort due to heightened reactions to various stimuli that typically would not affect less reactive skin. Some main concerns of people with sensitive skin include:

• Redness and flushing

• Skin tightness

• Itching and prickling

• Stinging or burning

• Dryness and flakiness

• Breakouts

This increased sensitivity can result from several factors, including:

• Weakened skin barrier: When the skin's protective barrier is compromised, irritants can penetrate more easily, increasing sensitivity.

• Environmental factors: Exposure to extreme temperatures, wind, UV rays, and pollution can trigger sensitive skin reactions.
• Harsh chemicals: Ingredients in soaps, detergents, and beauty products can irritate the skin, especially in individuals with sensitivities.

• Psychological factors: Stress and emotional factors can exacerbate skin sensitivity and trigger reactions.

Trends in sensitive skin care

As awareness of sensitive skin and its triggers grows, consumers are becoming more conscious of the ingredients and products they use. This shift in consumer behaviour has fuelled a rising demand for skin care solutions to address sensitivity, leading to significant market growth in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

The APAC sensitive skin care products market generated approximately USD 17.2 billion in revenue in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% from 2024 to 2030, potentially reaching USD 33.0 billion by 2030. (source: Grand View Research).

Increase in sensitive skin-related product claims

This growing demand for sensitive skin care is reflected in the increasing use of product claims that cater to this concern, with brands emphasising attributes such as 'hypoallergenic' and 'calming' to appeal to consumers seeking mild and soothing formulations.

While both " hypoallergenic " and " calming " claims are linked to sensitive skin, they address different aspects of care. The ' hypoallergenic ' claim refers to products that minimise the risk of allergic reactions from common allergens and are sometimes tested under dermatological control. The ' calming ' claim relates to products that reduce immediate sensitivity symptoms, such as redness, irritation, and discomfort.

The number of APAC personal care product launches featuring a 'hypoallergenic' claim has grown by 60%, while those with a 'calming' claim have increased by 23%, signalling a strong and rising demand across the region.

Increase in sensitive skin-related product claims

Top product applications with sensitive skin-related claims

In 2024, we can see that 'hypoallergenic' products demonstrated the strongest demand in facial cleansers, facial moisturisers, and body lotions/moisturisers/oils. Personal care product launches with a 'calming' claim showed the strongest demand for facial treatments, facial moisturisers, and facial cleansers.

Top countries with sensitive skin-related claims

When we look closer at the APAC markets, South Korea tops the chart for 'hypoallergenic' product launches, highlighting a strong emphasis on dermatologically tested, sensitive skin-safe products, likely driven by the scientific, skin-first approach in K-Beauty.

Indonesia leads for 'calming' claims, suggesting high consumer demand for soothing, comfort-focused products, possibly influenced by its hot and humid climate.

Top countries with sensitive skin-related claims

Discover our latest sensitive skin-friendly innovations

Find out more about ingredients that balance high performance with exceptional skin tolerance.

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How has sensitive skin care evolved?

Sensitive skin care has evolved significantly over the years— from an avoidance approach to one of active support and defence.

Formulations were kept simple and minimal in the past, primarily focusing on eliminating potential irritants such as fragrance and alcohol. The ingredients used do not strongly emphasise multifunctionality and sensory appeal.

Modern sensitive skin care, however, takes a more proactive approach. Modern formulations aim to avoid irritation, hydrate, soothe inflammation, restore the skin barrier, and enhance long-term skin resilience. Innovations such as encapsulated actives allow for the controlled, gentle delivery of potent ingredients, while mild surfactants and biomimetic lipids help cleanse and protect without disrupting the barrier.

The rise of dermocosmetics into Personal Care has also redefined the standards of sensitive skin care. Dermocosmetics bridge the gap between cosmetic beauty and pharmaceutical science. More than just enhancing appearance, they are designed to treat, soothe, and protect the skin.

Dermocosmetics borrow from pharmaceutical principles, using ingredients with proven efficacy in precisely dosed concentrations. Such products undergo safety evaluations similar to drug development processes and are frequently co-developed with dermatologists. Leading examples include La Roche-Posay, Eucerin, and Bioderma—brands known for their science-driven, dermatologist-recommended formulations.

Explore the full ingredient lineup

As sensitive skin care evolves, formulators need to focus on ingredients that deliver results without compromising tolerance. Click below to explore a curated selection that combines performance with gentle care.

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Looking to formulate your next mild and mighty formulation?

The APAC sensitive skin care market is experiencing dynamic growth, influenced by consumer awareness, environmental factors, and cultural trends. Personal care manufacturers prioritising mild, effective, and transparent formulations are well-positioned to succeed in this evolving landscape.

Work with Azelis to access a curated portfolio of ingredients tailored for sensitive skin care and develop high-performance, sensitive, skin-friendly formulations that meet regulatory and consumer expectations

Hear from our experts: Navigating ingredient selection for sensitive skin care