Sensitive skin is a fairly common problem that seems to be affecting a growing number of the population.

What exactly causes sensitive skin is harder to define than say, dry skin, as the symptoms and aggravations vary from person to person.

Sensitive skin can be caused by almost anything, including dry skin and will manifest itself in different people in different ways. Most commonly an itch or redness will occur when the skin comes into contact with an element that causes sensitivity.

Some of the most commonly noted irritants are fragrance or perfume, colours and dyes, soap, propylene glycol, lanolin, some antibiotics and drugs - and the list goes on.

The best way to treat sensitive skin is to:

Avoid soap - not only can it strip away the natural layer of protection, drying the skin and leaving it open to infection, but it may contain other known and potential irritants, such as colour and perfume to further aggravate the condition.

Moisturise frequently - and always immediately after bathing or cleansing. In keeping the skin moisturised, the natural barrier function performs better. This can assist in reducing the amount of sensitivity experienced.