Sensitivity & Redness
When your skin reacts to everything — heat, products, stress, sometimes nothing obvious at all — it's asking for help. The solution isn't avoidance. It's repair and resilience.
What's actually happening
Sensitive skin isn't a diagnosis — it's a symptom. When skin is hypersensitive, easily irritated, or persistently red, something has compromised its protective function. The barrier that should keep irritants out and moisture in isn't working properly.
This can be genetic, or it can develop over time — from harsh products, over-exfoliation, environmental factors, or conditions like rosacea. The good news: skin barriers can be rebuilt. It takes time, gentleness, and the right approach.
The barrier breakdown
Your skin's outermost layer — the stratum corneum — is designed to be a protective barrier. Think of it like a brick wall: skin cells are the bricks, and lipids (fats) are the mortar holding them together.
When this barrier is compromised:
- Water escapes (dehydration)
- Irritants get in more easily
- Nerve endings become more exposed and reactive
- Inflammation becomes chronic
This creates a cycle: inflammation damages the barrier further, which allows more irritation, which causes more inflammation.
Common triggers
Products and ingredients — harsh cleansers, alcohol, fragrance, over-use of acids or retinol
Environmental factors — wind, cold, heat, air conditioning, pollution
Lifestyle — stress, lack of sleep, alcohol, spicy foods
Conditions — rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, perioral dermatitis
Medical treatments — some medications, procedures, or treatments can trigger sensitivity
Understanding your specific triggers helps us design an approach that works.
Rosacea and chronic redness
Rosacea is a chronic condition affecting the blood vessels in your face. It typically appears as:
- Persistent redness — especially on cheeks, nose, forehead, chin
- Visible blood vessels — tiny capillaries become visible
- Flushing — episodes of intense redness, often triggered by heat, alcohol, or spicy food
- Bumps and pustules — sometimes confused with acne
- Thickening — in advanced cases, skin can thicken, particularly on the nose
Rosacea can't be cured, but it can be managed very effectively with the right approach. We've been treating it for nearly two decades at Eden.
How Eden approaches sensitive skin
The instinct with sensitive skin is often to do less — and there's wisdom in that. But avoidance alone won't rebuild your barrier. Our approach is gentle but purposeful: calm the inflammation, repair the barrier, then gradually introduce treatments that strengthen your skin.
Calm first
Before we try to fix anything, we calm your skin down. This might mean simplifying your routine dramatically and focusing purely on soothing and protective care.
Rebuild the barrier
We use treatments and products that restore your skin's protective function — the ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol that keep your barrier intact.
Address the source
For conditions like rosacea, we target the underlying vascular issues with IPL, reducing redness and flushing over time.
Treatments we use
Healite II LED
Anti-inflammatory light therapy that calms redness, reduces sensitivity, and supports barrier repair. Gentle, non-invasive, and suitable for the most reactive skin.
Learn moreIPL Vascular Treatment
Targets visible blood vessels and reduces the persistent redness of rosacea. Treats the vascular component that other treatments can't reach.
Learn moreCalming Customised Facials
Gentle, barrier-focused treatments using soothing ingredients and techniques. No aggressive exfoliation or irritating actives.
Learn moreAlkaline Treatments
Balancing treatments that help restore skin pH and reduce inflammation, supporting the skin's natural healing processes.
Learn moreWhat to expect
Rebuilding a damaged barrier takes patience. Skin cells turn over every 28-40 days, and true barrier repair requires multiple cycles.
First 2-4 weeks: We focus purely on calming. You might need to stop using certain products. We establish a gentle, protective routine.
Months 1-3: Barrier repair phase. Skin should start feeling less reactive, fewer flare-ups, more comfortable.
Months 3-6: We can start introducing treatments like IPL for rosacea, or gentle actives to address other concerns now that your skin is more resilient.
Ongoing: Sensitive skin often needs ongoing care. We'll establish a maintenance routine that keeps your skin stable.
The home care factor
For sensitive skin, home care isn't about adding more products — it's often about removing the wrong ones.
Gentle cleanser — No foaming, no fragrance, no stripping.
Barrier repair — Ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol to rebuild the mortar between your skin cells.
Simple moisturiser — Protective, soothing, fragrance-free.
Mineral sunscreen — Physical blockers (zinc, titanium dioxide) are usually better tolerated than chemical sunscreens.
We'll review everything you're currently using and help you edit down to what actually helps.
Is this you?
You might be dealing with sensitivity if...
- Products that work for everyone else make your skin burn, itch, or flare
- Your skin is persistently red, or flushes easily with heat, exercise, or alcohol
- You can see tiny blood vessels, especially on your cheeks or nose
- Your skin feels tight, uncomfortable, or like it's always reacting to something
- You've been told you have rosacea, or you suspect you might
- Over-the-counter products for sensitive skin don't seem to help
- You're afraid to try anything new because of past reactions
I've become so careful about what I put on my face, but it still reacts to everything. I need someone who actually understands reactive skin.
My face is always red. I hate it. I need help but I'm scared of making it worse.
Related concerns
Ready for calmer skin?
Sensitive skin needs a gentle, informed approach. We'll take the time to understand your skin's history, identify triggers, and build a plan that works with your skin, not against it.
Prefer to chat first? Call us on 02 9550 1777