Which products should I use if my skin is really sensitive and reactive?
Start with less than you think you need, and add one thing at a time.
The three that turn up most often in a routine for reactive skin:
- Cleanse - Cloud 9 Deep Cleansing Balm, lifted off with a warm, damp Konjac Sponge. No foaming, no squeaky-tight feeling.
- Hydrate - Raindrops Hydrating Face Mist. Essential oil free, straight onto damp skin.
- Moisturise - Over the Moon Rich Repair Cream. Unscented and essential oil free.
One thing worth knowing before you start: Raindrops and Over the Moon are both essential oil free. Cloud 9 carries mandarin, lemon myrtle and sandalwood oils, which is where its scent comes from, so skip it if you're avoiding essential oils or citrus.
If you'd rather not commit to full sizes straight away, the Build-Your-Own Sample Bundle lets you put together four or more minis while you work out what suits you.
And if you'd rather not start with three things at once, start with the moisturiser and give it a few weeks on its own. There's a fuller version of this routine, with the habits that go alongside it, in our routine for skin that flushes easily.
With anything new, try it along the jawline or behind the ear first and leave it a day or so before using it all over. Leave a few days between changes so you can tell what your skin is actually responding to.
And if something doesn't agree with you, we'd much rather sort it out with you than have you stuck with it. Get in touch and we'll help you work out where to go next, whether that's a gentler option or a refund.
