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When it comes to skincare and skin products, you’ve probably had to classify your skin’s texture—oily, dry, combination, and sensitive are just a few of the common terms you’ll find on products. And if you’ve suffered from finicky or reactive skin, you’ve probably wondered how to best support it.

Today, we’re diving deep into the world of sensitive skin and decoding some of the common misunderstandings and complexities as well as sharing useful tips and tricks to help balance your sensitive skin and promote healing, balance, and stability.

What’s the science and symptoms behind sensitive skin?

Essentially, the cells on your face construct a lipid barrier. Imagine it as a permeable wall, guarding your skin from toxins on the outside.

If your skin has a strong, healthy lipid barrier, you’ll be effectively protected from external factors and toxins that can cause irritation. But if your lipid barrier is thin or weak—either due to a genetic predisposition or to external factors—a wide range of symptoms can arise.

In mild cases, your skin may look flawless but feel tight, itchy, or uncomfortable. In more severe cases, you may experience redness, itching, flaking, peeling, or worse.

Types of sensitive skin 

While some people are genetically predisposed to sensitive skin, others may experience sensitized skin as a direct reaction to cosmetics, skincare, household, or environmental products.

There’s often confusion about the differences between sensitive and sensitized skin—although the two are different, the symptoms are actually identical. And the science behind the two conditions is the same as well: a healthy skin barrier keeps your skin strong by holding moisture in and keeping environmental pollutants out.

• Sensitive skin

Some individuals are simply born with a thinner lipid barrier. This genetic predisposition heightens natural sensitivity to external factors. When the protective layer of the skin is more permeable, irritants and allergens can pass into the skin and signal an inflammatory response.

• Sensitized skin

Regardless of genetic predisposition, sensitized skin occurs when the microbiome of the skin has been disrupted. After many years of using harsh products with 'dirty', aggravating ingredients, the skin can become inflamed and the barrier begins to malfunction, leading to sensitized skin. 

What causes sensitive skin?

If you’ve experienced sensitive skin, you may have suffered from dryness, sun damage, or environmental factors.

• Excessive dryness

Dry skin can appear in many forms—you may experience redness or tightness or even flaky and peeling skin.

• Sun/UV damage

Sensitive skin can become aggravated due to excessive sun or UV-ray exposure.

• Lifestyle factors

Finally, your day-to-day routine can impact your skin negatively. Unhealthy levels of stress, lack of sufficient sleep, and an unbalanced diet can create skin sensitivities. If you’re experiencing symptoms of sensitive skin, pay close attention to your diet and your lifestyle.

Caring for sensitive skin

We understand the science behind sensitive skin—and we know just how it feels to have sensitive skin. Our founder, Sara, suffered from hypersensitive, reactive skin and realized it was impossible to find gentle yet potent products that wouldn’t agitate her skin while still delivering visible results.

With the hopes of healing her skin, Sara set out to discover products that would leave her skin calmer and more resilient. When she didn’t find any, she decided to make her own 100% pure, clinically effective skincare. Every product in our line is designed to be compatible and gentle for all skin types — while helping your skin maintain its healthy, natural balance.

If you’re just getting started with skincare, be sure to follow our tips and techniques for protecting and guarding your skin from external stressors and promoting clear, bright, and well-hydrated skin. 

• Adapt a clean beauty regimen. Eliminate toxic ingredients from your skincare and makeup routine. As a company, we are founded on a philosophy of clean, effective beauty. We ban over 5,000+ nasty ingredients to make sure our formulations interact with your skin in a positive way and produce long-lasting, multi-functional well-being. Plus, our serums contain naturally-calming ingredients such as probiotics, our bioactive fermented mineral complex, and a wild indigo adaptogen.
• Strengthen your skin barrier. A strong, healthy, well-functioning skin barrier can help your skin handle just about anything: redness, irritation, or harmful substances. It essentially acts as a security guard for your skin, protecting your innermost layers and preventing harmful irritants and bacteria from entering and causing damage. And in doing so, moisture and hydration remains locked deep within your cells—so your skin remains dewy, glowy, and resilient. To build a strong outer layer and keep toxins at bay, incorporate sunscreen, antioxidant-rich ingredients, and a gentle skincare routine.  
• Protect your skin from environmental stressors. To help ward off the effects of damaging UV rays and pollution, we rely on the Resurrection flower in our complex: a key bioactive ingredient known for its ability to regenerate and protect itself from harsh environmental conditions and pollution—and it works wonders on the skin! Our Bio-Luminous Dewy Essence also features an antioxidant Vitamin Cocktail of C, E, B3, and B5 and a unique Bio-Luminescence extract - a revolutionary plant bioactive that naturally protects skin from photo-oxidative stress caused by blue light and harmful UV radiation, transforming it into a source of light that reflects every sunbeam that reaches your skin helping you to get that radiant glow. (And for maximum protection, don’t forget the daily SPF!).
• Simplify your routine. With sensitive skin, remember this: less is more. Our products are multi-tasking and multi-correctional, supporting every skin layer for optimal skin regeneration.

Although the reasons for skin sensitivity can vary, support your skin by implementing a clean beauty regimen, eating a healthy diet of fresh foods, and hydrating your skin often. Your skin has memory! Treat her well and she’ll pay you back with balanced, hydrated, and dewy skin.

Curious about something you just read? Feel free to reach out with questions! We’d love to hear from you. 

• #Skin Science