Sensitive skin is on the rise around the world, and Galderma is committed to uncovering why. 

In the past 20 years, the number of people who report dealing with the condition has risen by 68% globally. As a result, sensitive skin now affects 70% of the world’s population. 

This would imply that something about modern life is driving an increase in this condition, and a new groundbreaking study by Galderma presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress (EADV) 2025 concretely demonstrates that link for the first time.

A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND STUDY

Galderma’s Global Sensitive Skincare Faculty (GSSF) carried out a clinical study that enrolled 150 women from China aged 35–50 to discover the causes and triggers of sensitive skin. These women represented three distinct profiles: those with a modern lifestyle and sensitive skin; those with a modern lifestyle and non-sensitive skin; and those with a traditional lifestyle and sensitive skin.

Data from the study demonstrated a link between modern living—including stress, pollution and lack of sleep—and sensitive skin. It also revealed significant biological differences in people with sensitive skin, including:

• Higher inflammation, which is further exacerbated by living in a modern or urban environment
• Increased oxidative stress, which is a biological response to environmental stressors such as UV exposure and pollution, and can trigger skin aging
• Visible signs of damage, including dark spots, showing the long-term impact of environmental stressors on the skin’s integrity and appearance

These findings underscore the fact that sensitive skin is not just a subjective complaint – it’s a distinct condition that can heavily impact patients’ quality of life. Further research into the science of sensitive skin is needed to drive innovation to address these impacts and improve outcomes.

“These new findings have the potential to transform dermatologists’ everyday practice: by helping to further advance the diagnosis of sensitive skin, by equipping healthcare professionals to look at key triggers including lack of sleep, pollution, high temperatures and humidity, and by offering specific and targeted solutions for sensitive skin, backed by science.” 
DR. KRZYSZTOF PIOTROWSKI, M.D., PH.D.

DRIVING PROGRESS THROUGH RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Galderma is committed to advancing the science of sensitive skin. Leading research into what causes the condition is integral to our ambition to become a true powerhouse in dermatology. Through scientific research leading to innovative solutions that drive superior outcomes, we seek to improve people’s lives worldwide.

“The huge finding is that sensitive skin is extremely overreactive, whatever it is exposed to, no matter whether you are living a modern lifestyle or a more traditional one. Across environments, people with sensitive skin have higher inflammation and more oxidative stress. This is key to understanding how to develop innovative products that target this condition.”
NADÈGE LACHMANN
GLOBAL HEAD OF SKIN SCIENCES AND SCIENTIFIC ENGAGEMENT, GALDERMA