Sensitive skin

Why skin becomes reactive

A weakened barrier lets irritants in and water out. Over-cleansing, too many actives, fragrance and sun are the usual causes. The fix is to do less, not more.

What actually helps

• Centella asiatica calms redness and supports repair; it is the ingredient sensitive skin tolerates best.
• Ceramides and panthenol rebuild the barrier.
• Fragrance-free everything, including cleanser and sunscreen.
• A mineral or gentle hybrid sunscreen, patch-tested on the jaw first.
• One active at a time, introduced slowly. Skip exfoliating acids until the skin is calm.

A simple routine

Morning: rinse or gentle cleanser, calming serum, moisturiser, sunscreen. Evening: gentle cleanser, calming serum, moisturiser. That is the whole routine for at least four weeks.

When to see a doctor

Persistent redness, burning or bumps that do not settle in a few weeks can be rosacea or eczema and deserve a dermatologist, not a new serum.