What might indicate that a skin product is too harsh for sensitive skin?

The presence of skin irritation or redness is a strong indicator that a skin product may be too harsh for sensitive skin. Sensitive skin tends to react adversely to certain ingredients or formulations, manifesting symptoms such as redness, burning, or itching. This reaction occurs as the skin's barrier function may be compromised, making it more susceptible to irritants. When a product causes these negative responses, it signals that the formulation may not be suitable for those with sensitive skin types.

Other factors, while they may contribute to sensitivity, do not directly indicate the immediate impact on the skin as clearly as observable irritation does. For instance, absence of fragrance is generally seen as a positive trait for sensitive skin products, since fragrance can be a common irritant. Similarly, while parabens and comedogenic ingredients can pose concerns, they do not necessarily correlate with immediate skin irritation. Parabens are preservatives that have been debated for their safety, and comedogenic ingredients relate to pore-clogging rather than irritation. Hence, the most definitive sign that a product is too harsh for sensitive skin is the direct observation of irritation or redness after use.