Sensitive skin guide
Care for
Sensitive Skin
If everything stings, reddens, or reacts, you need fewer ingredients, not more. Our minimalist, fragrance-free routine is built for the most reactive skin.
We Understand Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin reacts to almost everything: fragrance, preservatives, alcohol, essential oils, even some 'natural' ingredients. Most products labelled 'for sensitive skin' still contain dozens of ingredients, any of which could be your trigger. Our core products contain just a handful of ingredients. No fragrance, no preservatives, no fillers. The shortest possible ingredient list to give your skin the greatest possible chance of tolerating it.
Your Sensitive Skin Routine
Recommended Products
The simpler the better. Two products, used consistently, can transform reactive skin into resilient skin.
No 1 - Illuminate Face Oil
£38.00
A clean, single-purpose face oil for skin that reacts to everything. No fragrance, no preservatives, no essential oils, just nourishing plant oils.
Why it works
The shorter the ingredient list, the lower the chance of triggering a reaction. Pure plant oils work with your skin's natural lipid barrier rather than disrupting it.
How to use
Patch test on inner forearm for 48 hours first. Then apply 2-3 drops to clean, damp skin morning and evening. Press in gently, never rub.
No 3 - Calm Butter
£28.00
Unscented body and face balm for the most reactive skin. Specifically designed for users who can't tolerate fragranced products.
Why it works
Zero fragrance, zero preservatives, zero common irritants. Creates a protective layer that shields sensitive skin from environmental triggers (cold, wind, heating).
How to use
Apply over Illuminate at night for an extra protective layer, or use generously on dry, reactive body areas.
No 2 - Glow Face Scrub
£36.00
A gentle exfoliating scrub for once your skin is no longer reactive. Use only when fully tolerating the base routine.
Why it works
Once your skin has been calm for 6+ weeks on the base routine, gentle physical exfoliation can refine texture without the sensitisation of acid-based exfoliants.
How to use
Patch test first. Use 1x every 2 weeks max. Featherlight pressure.
Your resilience timeline
Skin Progress Guide
Sensitive skin needs time and consistency. Removing irritants is more important than adding products.
Strip Back
Stop ALL skincare except Illuminate. Audit your environment: detergents, fragrances, water temperature.
- Patch test everything
- Fragrance-free laundry
- Lukewarm water only
Calm Reactivity
Background redness reduces. Skin tolerates the base routine. Add Calm Butter cautiously if needed.
- No new products
- Avoid hot showers
- Soft cloths only
Build Resilience
Skin barrier strengthens. Reactions become rare and mild. Confidence to face the world bare-faced.
- Track triggers
- Mineral SPF only
- Trust your skin
Maintain & Expand
Skin is calm and resilient. Slowly trial Glow Scrub or other products, one at a time, with patch tests.
- One change per month
- Patch test always
- Less is more
Setting expectations
What to Expect
True resilience for sensitive skin comes from removing irritants, and giving the barrier time to heal.
Adjustment (Days 1-7)
- Skin may feel slightly different
- Less stinging during washing
- Background redness softens
- Stop all other products
Calming (Weeks 2-4)
- Reactions become less frequent
- Skin tolerates the routine fully
- Less reactivity to weather
- Reduced flushing
Strengthening (Weeks 4-10)
- Barrier is visibly stronger
- Triggers cause smaller reactions
- Skin texture refines
- More tolerant of small exposures
Resilience (Month 3+)
- Skin is calm by default
- Confident to try new products carefully
- Day-to-day comfort
- Less anxiety about skincare
IMPORTANT GUIDE
Living With Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin isn't a permanent state, it's usually a damaged or overwhelmed barrier. Here's how to rebuild resilience.
60–70% of Women
Affects
5–15 ingredients
Average Triggers
1–5 Ingredients
Our in Core Formulas
Most sensitivity comes from a damaged barrier, caused by over-cleansing, over-exfoliating, harsh actives, or fragrance overload. Once stripped back, the barrier can heal in 4-12 weeks and tolerance improves dramatically.
Common triggers: fragrance (parfum), essential oils, denatured alcohol, sulphates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde-releasers, MIT/MCI preservatives, and high-strength acids. Read every label.
Apply a small amount to your inner forearm. Leave for 48 hours without washing. If no redness, itching, or bumps appear, try on the side of your jaw for another 48 hours. If still no reaction, use it.
Usually not. Most sensitivity is a sign of barrier damage that can heal with the right care. Some people are genetically more reactive, but even they can build resilience with a minimalist routine.
Yes, but choose mineral SPF (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) as chemical filters often sting. Look for fragrance-free, alcohol-free formulas. Apply Illuminate Face Oil first as a buffer.
What Our Customers Are Saying
Real results from real people with sensitive/reactive skin
Gorgeous face oil
“Love the simplicity and multi-use of the Illuminate oil. I'm prone to sensitive skin and this oil doesn't irritate at all but is calming. I'm in my 60s and it really gives my skin a healthy glow. I use it as a cleanser and a daily moisturiser. Brilliant.”
Happy skin
“I love this oil! Very calming on my sensitive yet combination skin. I think this has really helped calm and improve the texture and appearance of my skin, and I've had compliments on it. It does go a long way, especially if applied to damp skin.”
Amazing results
“These products (face oil and calm butter) are the only cosmetics that do not irritate my very sensitive skin. My skin is glowing and has lost all its redness. I'm already on my second bottle of face oil! Best investment!”
Illuminate oil
“Absolutely love this oil. Having extremely sensitive skin and spending most of my life outdoors I have always struggled to keep my skin feeling soft. This is brilliant.”
Fabulous, yes it does work!
“I have sensitive skin and this fabulous No 1 illuminate face oil works like a dream, I use it everyday, it soaks in quickly leaving my face feeling soft and moisturised, and no outbreaks or reactions to my skin. It feels like a miracle. Am about to order more.”
Loving the skin oil
“I’ve got sensitive skin and so far no reaction just really smooth skin. Even where I suffer from lip eczema it’s not aggravated it if anything calmed it a little…it’s really good for removing my eye makeup and doesn’t sting near eyes which is a bonus.”
Ready to Build Skin Resilience?
Stop chasing the next 'sensitive skin' product. Strip back to two clean essentials and let your skin heal, properly, this time.
Buy Our Recommendations →