The Rise in Sensitivities: What It Means for Our Skin, Bodies, and Homes

In recent decades, the human body has become increasingly reactive to the world around it. Skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis are rising, food intolerances and allergies are more common than ever, and gut disorders such as IBS are now widespread. While these issues may seem disconnected, mounting research suggests they share a common underlying cause: the degradation of the body’s protective epithelial barriers due to modern environmental toxin exposures.

The epithelial barrier hypothesis (Akdis, 2021), posits that many chronic inflammatory and allergic conditions—ranging from asthma and hay fever to food allergies and inflammatory bowel diseases—stem from disruptions in the epithelial linings of the skin, lungs, and gut. These barriers are meant to serve as intelligent filters, blocking harmful agents while allowing beneficial substances to pass. But this protective function is under siege from toxic synthetic chemicals, air pollutants, endocrine disruptors, pesticides, microplastics, and processed food additives (Akdis, 2021).

Children, in particular, are vulnerable to these exposures. As Lee et al. (2024) emphasise, children breathe more air, consume more food and water, and engage in more hand-to-mouth activity than adults—factors that increase their relative exposure to environmental toxins. Their developing organ systems and immature detoxification pathways further heighten the risk. The review links exposures such as phthalates, bisphenol A, heavy metals, and airborne particulates with increased rates of allergic disease, neurodevelopmental delay, and chronic immune dysregulation.

At the same time, the integrity of the gut lining—especially in early life—has become a key area of concern. A disrupted gut barrier is associated with the development of food allergies, autoimmune diseases, and irritable bowel syndrome. Bischoff et al. (2014) underscore that increased intestinal permeability, often referred to as “leaky gut,” allows microbial fragments, allergens, and toxins to cross into systemic circulation, sparking inflammation and sensitisation. This can not only affect digestion but has also been linked to systemic skin conditions and mental health changes via the gut-brain-skin axis.

What makes this issue even more urgent is its cumulative and compounding nature. The modern person is not exposed to one single irritant—but to many, daily, across multiple routes. Skincare products often contain preservatives and synthetic fragrances that can trigger skin irritation. Cleaning sprays, air fresheners, and scented laundry products release volatile organic compounds that are inhaled. Processed foods and plastics introduce endocrine-disrupting chemicals that interfere with hormonal and immune function.

What Can We Do?
While some exposure is unavoidable, there are practical, science-backed strategies individuals and households can adopt to reduce their toxic load and support the repair of barrier systems:

– Simplify your skincare: Choose products with minimal ingredients and no synthetic fragrances or colourants. Look for formulations that contain skin-barrier-supportive botanicals like squalane, calendula, jojoba, and unrefined seed oils. Avoid overuse of harsh acids and exfoliants which can thin the stratum corneum and exacerbate sensitivity.

At Zurma, our approach to natural skincare and natural perfumery is rooted in this scientific understanding. We develop products that minimise exposure to potentially sensitising toxins and instead focus on natural botanical ingredients that support skin health as well as the whole body. As this wave of increasing exposure to toxins continues to grow, the need for using natural skincare products is no longer a niche—it is a vital public health response.

– Reconsider your cleaning products: Conventional cleaning agents often contain volatile chemicals, artificial scents, and surfactants known to irritate the lungs and skin. Switch to low-toxicity options such as natural soap-based cleaners like Zurma Castile soap with which you can add in the essential oils for the aroma that you like (Lemon, Eucalyptus Blue Gum, Tea Tree,  Thieves oil etc.) for all your household cleaning needs. A 2021 review noted that chronic exposure to indoor synthetic chemical cleaning sprays is linked to increased risk of asthma and chronic bronchitis, particularly in women and children (Zock et al., 2021).

– Support your gut: Eat a diet rich in fibre, polyphenols, and fermented foods to nourish the gut microbiome. Probiotics and prebiotics may help repair intestinal barrier function. Reducing intake of ultra-processed foods and common irritants like emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners may also benefit those with IBS and food sensitivities (Chassaing et al., 2015).

– Minimise microplastic exposure: Use glass or stainless steel for food storage, avoid heating plastic containers, and filter drinking water when possible. Microplastics have been found in bottled water, sea salt, seafood, and even household dust, and are linked to immune disruption and endocrine effects (Deng et al., 2017).

– Ventilate your home and monitor indoor air quality: Install HEPA filters, ventilate frequently, and avoid the use of synthetic air fresheners or candles. Indoor air pollution often matches or exceeds outdoor pollution in urban environments.

– Prioritise early-life and maternal health: Prenatal and early childhood exposure to environmental toxins can have lifelong effects on immune development. This makes the mothers use of natural skincare like Zurmas during pregnancy all the more important to avoid exposing the growing baby to toxic chemicals. Pregnant individuals should also aim to reduce exposure to other toxins like heavy metals, BPA, phthalates, and high pollution environments whenever possible (Lee et al., 2024).

References
Akdis, C. A. (2021). The epithelial barrier hypothesis proposes a comprehensive understanding of the origins of allergic and other chronic noncommunicable diseases. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 147(1), 16–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2020.11.012

Bischoff, S. C., Barbara, G., Buurman, W., Ockhuizen, T., Schulzke, J. D., Serino, M., … Wells, J. M. (2014). Intestinal permeability–a new target for disease prevention and therapy. BMC Gastroenterology, 14(1), 189. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-014-0189-7

Chassaing, B., Koren, O., Goodrich, J. K., Poole, A. C., Srinivasan, S., Ley, R. E., & Gewirtz, A. T. (2015). Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome. Nature, 519(7541), 92–96. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature14232
Deng, Y., Zhang, Y., Lemos, B., & Ren, H. (2017). Tissue accumulation of microplastics in mice and biomarker responses suggest widespread health risks of exposure. Scientific Reports, 7, 46687. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep46687

Lee, J., Kim, H. B., Jung, H. J., Chung, M., Park, S. E., Lee, K. H., … Yoo, Y. (2024). Protecting our future: Environmental hazards and children’s health in the face of environmental threats: A comprehensive overview. Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics, 67(11), 589–598. https://doi.org/10.3345/cep.2023.01578

Zock, J. P., Plana, E., Jarvis, D., Antó, J. M., Kromhout, H., Kennedy, S. M., … Kogevinas, M. (2021). The use of household cleaning sprays and adult asthma: an international longitudinal study. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 183(7), 586–591. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200709-1361OC