Is sensitive skin the same as dry skin?
Sensitivity isn't a skin type, so it can show up on oily, dry, or combination skin alike. That's why so many people with sensitive skin say it feels dry even when they're producing plenty of oil. The cause is usually a weakened skin barrier: water escapes more easily through it, and the skin ends up dehydrated. Dehydrated skin feels tight and rough and uncomfortable, which is easy to mistake for real dryness.
What causes skin sensitivity?
The exact cause of sensitive skin is not fully understood, but research points to a disruption of the skin barrier as one likely factor. Other contributors may include atopic predisposition, the sensory nervous system, hormonal changes, and lifestyle or environmental factors, which can also help maintain skin sensitivity over time.