How to calm, soothe and hydrate sensitive skin

How’s your skin feeling? From makeup priming prep to evening TLC, plus of course daily cleansing essentials, we know the importance of linking up different skin types with a suitably efficient routine.

Targeting your own specific concerns in the process, empowering you about overall skin well-being is what we do. Speaking of which, sensitive skin can be an issue that makes day to night routines feel daunting. An understandable fear of aggravating any soreness may bring hesitation about what to apply or try.
Sensitive skin is reactive and easily irritated, culminating in redness and stinging. As well as it just naturally being your skin’s tendency, other fluctuating reasons for sensitivity include certain underlying health conditions, medication, and hormones. Not to mention common skin complaints such as eczema and rosacea.

Another reason for sensitivity is when the skin’s protective barrier has been compromised. This can happen because of harsh chemicals or as part of the ageing process. Contributing factors encompass stress, environmental aggressors, overuse of products, and hormonal changes.

To get back to basics and demystify a few skincare saviour ingredients, which will calm and soothe, while adding that all important hydration, read on for the lowdown on our sensitive skin staples.

Simplify your skincare

• Gradually introduce new products, to chart improvements and gauge their compatibility with your skin.
• Avoid harsh irritants, or strong acids, which can damage the skin’s protective barrier and culminate in a sensitivity vicious cycle.
• Additionally,  if using a muslin cloth or flannel, opt for an ultra soft texture to avoid soreness too, and are best avoided if you notice a link between their use and a flare-up.
• Synthetic scents aren’t compatible with easily irritated skin either, so look to essential oil fragrance components instead.
• Most importantly, learn which products work for you by reading up on their ingredients list.

Strengthen the protective barrier

As mentioned, damage to the skin’s natural lipid barrier means increased sensitivity. Whether down to UV damage, harsh skincare products or natural ageing, a compromised skin barrier makes for further stinging or irritation. Ultimately, the repair process begins with hydration and protection.

 Look out for popular ceramide production boosting ingredients niacinamide and omega fatty acids to start with. Vitamin E is healing too, protecting skin from free radical damage. And whether it’s summer or winter, don’t forget your SPF!

Keep a keen eye out for hero ingredients
Step forward, superfoods. These are nutrient-dense naturally derived ingredients, which are a rich skincare source of vitamins and fatty acids, eradicating the potential for irritation. All while maximising nourishment.

Our vegan-friendly, sustainable superfood mix encompasses highly stable sources of key antioxidant vitamins including A, B, C, D and E, plus omega fatty acids 3,5,6, 7 and 9. They originate from cold-pressed components, such as wheatgerm oil, bilberry seed oil, passionfruit seed oil, plum kernel oil, arnica seed oil and fig seed oil. Additionally, sea buckthorn fruit oils contain fatty acids omegas 3 and 7.
Omega fatty acids are soothing and hydrating, while supporting the skin’s optimum collagen production, promising plenty of plumping without any pesky pore clogging.

On the subject of hydration- next up is hyaluronic acid. This moisture-promoting marvel is a humectant, so it attracts and retains hydration in the skin’s layers. Offering up deep moisture for skin boosting results, the thirst-quenching components provide dewiness at the skin’s surface.

Last but- absolutely- not least, healing pomegranate is an antioxidant-charged wonder ingredient that helps with blemishes, as well as premature signs of ageing. Its anti-inflammatory properties reduce irritation and redness while repairing skin imperfections.

Perfect your product picks.

With comprehensive ingredients covered, you can make a beeline for buys which incorporate these. Some of our core sensitive skin standouts are:

Heed Balancing Cleansing Oil
A calming lipid-based cleanser that melts away makeup, SPF, dirt and pollution. This waterless formula combines nourishing actives and antioxidants including  Marula Seed, Sea Buckthorne and Pomegranate Oil which leave skin hydrated, soft and radiant – never stripped, tight or dry. for concentrated hydration that soothes and protects, strengthening the skin’s barrier.

Veil Peptide Firming Tonic
The calming toner soothes sensitivity and redness, while renewing the natural moisture barrier. Additionally, the skin’s delicate PH acid balance is protected thanks to a soap, sulphate, and detergent-free formula.

Hyaluronic Acid Balancing Face Serum
This refreshingly cooling serum soothes skin, improving the appearance of flakiness and boosting hydration. All while brightening and promoting skin barrier protection. The aromatherapeutic scent blend is gentle enough not to irritate sensitive skin either.