Evaluation, Symptoms, Influencing Factors, and Prospects of Sensitive Scalp: A Literature Review

Yan, Xiaoxi; Jiao, Qian; He, Congfen; Jia, Yan; He, Huaming; Zhou, Cheng

doi:10.3390/cosmetics12060236

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Evaluation, Symptoms, Influencing Factors, and Prospects of Sensitive Scalp: A Literature Review

by

Xiaoxi Yan

^1,†

,

Qian Jiao

^1,†,

Congfen He

¹,

Yan Jia

¹,

Huaming He

^1,*

and

Cheng Zhou

^2,*

¹

Beijing Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Research and Development, School of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China

²

Department of Dermatology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100044, China

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

^†

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Cosmetics 2025, 12(6), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12060236 (registering DOI)

Submission received: 9 September 2025 / Revised: 14 October 2025 / Accepted: 21 October 2025 / Published: 22 October 2025

(This article belongs to the Section Cosmetic Dermatology)

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Abstract

Sensitive scalp (SSC) is a common but often overlooked dermatological state, characterized by subjective symptoms such as pruritus, tingling, tightness, pain, or burning sensations. Primary SSC typically occurs in the absence of visible clinical inflammation. Numerous studies have suggested that the onset of SSC may be influenced by a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including physical (ultraviolet radiation, changes in temperature and humidity), chemical (cosmetic ingredients, environmental pollutants), and psychological factors (emotional stress). This article provides a narrative review of the current research on SSC, drawing on literature published between 1963 and 2024 in PubMed, Elsevier, and Web of Science databases. We summarize its hallmark symptoms, available evaluation methods, potential mechanisms, and contributing factors and propose corresponding scalp care recommendations. This review aims to offer theoretical insights into the pathogenesis of SSC and to support the development of effective protective strategies.

Keywords: sensitive scalp; barrier function; lipid; microbiology

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MDPI and ACS Style

Yan, X.; Jiao, Q.; He, C.; Jia, Y.; He, H.; Zhou, C. Evaluation, Symptoms, Influencing Factors, and Prospects of Sensitive Scalp: A Literature Review. Cosmetics 2025, 12, 236. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12060236

AMA Style

Yan X, Jiao Q, He C, Jia Y, He H, Zhou C. Evaluation, Symptoms, Influencing Factors, and Prospects of Sensitive Scalp: A Literature Review. Cosmetics. 2025; 12(6):236. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12060236

Chicago/Turabian Style

Yan, Xiaoxi, Qian Jiao, Congfen He, Yan Jia, Huaming He, and Cheng Zhou. 2025. "Evaluation, Symptoms, Influencing Factors, and Prospects of Sensitive Scalp: A Literature Review" Cosmetics 12, no. 6: 236. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12060236

APA Style

Yan, X., Jiao, Q., He, C., Jia, Y., He, H., & Zhou, C. (2025). Evaluation, Symptoms, Influencing Factors, and Prospects of Sensitive Scalp: A Literature Review. Cosmetics, 12(6), 236. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12060236

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

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Evaluation, Symptoms, Influencing Factors, and Prospects of Sensitive Scalp: A Literature Review

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