Introduction
Sensitive skin (SS) is a syndrome of subjective cutaneous hyperreactivity to otherwise innocuous stimuli, characterized by symptoms of itching, tingling, burning, heat, tightness, pain, stinging, and/or general discomfort; visual changes in the skin are not always observed although accompanying redness may be apparent.1 SS is not attributable to other skin diseases and should be considered a diagnosis of exclusion.2 Affecting all body locations, particularly the face, SS can be incredibly burdensome to individual sufferers and significantly impact their quality of life through altering behaviors and habits, impacting sleep, and instilling stress and anxiety. Frequently exacerbating variables of SS are environmental exposures (eg, UV radiation, wind, temperature changes), lifestyle factors (eg, cosmetic products, diet, alcohol consumption), and physiologic factors (age, hormonal changes, stress).1 A helpful clinical tool to measure baseline and ongoing severity of SS is the Sensitive-10 Scale (SS- 10), a validated 10-item patient-reported scale where a score greater than 13 out of 100 is diagnostic for SS syndrome (Figure 1).3
Today, Galderma is addressing the unmet needs of a growing number of individuals suffering from SS by creating the Global Sensitive Skincare Faculty (GSSF) in 2021. While the concept of sensitive skin is not new and skincare products have been developed and marketed with this in mind - including by Galderma and their Cetaphil bran - demerging research concludes SS is a unique medical condition, warranting recognition, further research, and management options.4 The impact of addressing SS as a medical condition cannot be understated, as studies have found that approximately 70% of the general population worldwide self-reports having some degree of SS.5 Recognizing the substantial burden of SS and its impact on quality of life, the GSSF is committed to advancing the well-being of individuals affected by SS.
The Market Gap
Although many products boast suitability for SS, these claims are rarely substantiated and not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. There is a deficit in evidence-based products specifically tested in and formulated for individuals with SS who have an altered epidermal barrier function prone to penetration of irritants and allergens and increased trans-epidermal water loss.4 While many skincare ingredients are innocuous to a healthy skin barrier, they are poorly tolerated in sensitive skin.6 A pre-clinical study testing commercial skin care products in an SS animal model found all of the tested products induced abnormalities in epidermal function, including elevations in trans-epidermal water loss and skin surface pH and reduction in stratum corneum hydration.7 These findings were corroborated in a recent pilot survey study demonstrating 56% of respondents with SS experience hyperreactivity to consumer products; however, these patients were 7.5 times more likely to use products marketed for SS than individuals without SS.8 Altogether, these findings signal a gap in effective products for individuals with SS.
Bridging the Gap
The GSSF is bridging the existing market gap by committing to scientific innovation and evidence-based product development. In partnership with the Department of Dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Galderma established the Translational Research Fellowship Program to support medical students dedicating a minimum of one year to expanding their research skill set with a focus on SS and established the Galderma Skin Research Acceleration Fund, which provides research funding to support aforementioned research into characterizing and addressing SS. The GSSF unites an advisory board of 15 dermatologists from 13 countries to contribute a diverse amalgamation of expertise in skin disease (Table 1).
The faculty's inaugural meeting was held at the 2022 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology congress in Milan where members participated in a symposium on SS insights and management approaches. This discussion was further developed at interactive forums hosted at the 2023 World Congress of Dermatology in Singapore and the 2024 American Academy of Dermatology Meeting in San Diego, California. In collaboration with Galderma leadership, the advisory board workshopped initiatives to meet evolving skincare needs, discussed methods to build upon existing SS research initiatives, and identified opportunities to optimize the management of SS, setting the stage for future research and skincare solutions for SS. To date, over 40 posters and 4 scientific papers have been published and/or presented. Current advances in research conducted by the GSSF are described herein.
