Sensitive Skin What does it mean to have sensitive skin? First, let's establish that you have a certain skin type. It may be dry, oily, or "combination." The "sub-condition" of that skin may be sensitive. If you have "sensitive" skin, you may not tolerate certain skin care products. Outdoors, you may feel overly sensitive to the sunlight and, after a shower, your skin is blotchy and your face ruddy. If you have ever had chemical peels, laser treatments or used Retin A or Alpha Hydroxy Acids, your skin is especially delicate and vulnerable to sun exposure and harsh weather changes. People suffering from Eczema and Dermatitis (red, dry, flaky, sometimes itchy skin) may not tolerate the regular use of skin care products. Eczema: There are two types of eczema that can occur on the face and neck. If you get dry, red and flaky around the sides of your nose or between your eyebrows (some days it is more noticeable than others, but it never really goes away) it is most likely stress-related. Stress is not just a word. It  attacks the most vulnerable areas of our body, including our organs, and manifests itself in the changes on our skin. If you get dry, red and flaky on your eyelids usually this is a reaction to a skin product, makeup or sun block. This is known as "topical" eczema.  Either way, you should consult your dermatologist for this condition. Dermatitis. Dermatitis is similar to eczema, but is often accompanied by small, fluid-like bumps. If the skin is painful, itchy, red and flaky, it is always best to consult your dermatologist for treatment. Rosacea is a skin condition caused by a change in the sebaceous glands that increases the skin's temperature. During this process, the biochemistry of the skin changes and vascular dilation occurs. In most cases, the skin is extremely sensitive, ruddy and inflamed, and occasional pustules are present. Rosacea appears most often in middle age or later and is characterized by extreme ruddiness and dilated capillaries, sensitivity and swelling, papules, and pustules that appear primarily in the central T-zone area of the face. The cause is unknown, but this condition is more common in people with a fair complexion. Diet and stress also play a role in its out break. A Couperose skin is usually a fine delicate skin with many visible capillaries or dilated blood vessels covering the cheeks, chin and nose area of the face. Burst or Dilated Blood Vessels often appear where the skin has experienced trauma. They can appear after cosmetic surgery, especially around the sides of the nose, or after aggressive manipulation or squeezing of the skin. Overexposure to the sun (sundamage) also weakens capillary walls and causes blood vessel to thin and leak over a period of time. Certain products can repair and coat blood vessel walls, strengthening and reducing the ruddy appearance.