Sensitive skin

What characterizes sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin reacts oversensitively to internal and external stimuli.

• It is prone to irritation, tightness, itching, rough or scaly patches and redness.
• It is usually very sensitive to UV radiation, cold or air-conditioned rooms.
• The skin’s protective barrier layer is weakened.

As a result, the skin dries out more quickly and is less able to protect itself from environmental influences. Accordingly, it is almost defenseless against external stimuli and reacts much more violently than “normal” skin.

Causes of sensitive and hypersensitive skin

Hypersensitive skin is often a direct result of incorrect facial care with aggressive cleansing products, abrasive peelings and facial creams that contain unnecessary additives such as alcohol, emulsifiers or fragrances and are full of harmful chemicals.

• genetics
  In addition, hypersensitive skin can be genetic. Some people have naturally sensitive skin that reacts more sensitively.
• stress
  Stress can further increase skin sensitivity and increase redness, irritation or itching.
• intolerances or allergies
  Certain cosmetic ingredients or foods also play a role and lead to hypersensitive skin.
• Hormonal changes
  Hormonal changes can play a role in this context during puberty, pregnancy or menopause.
• medications, environmental factors, pollutants
  Skin irritations, itching or redness can also be caused by long-term use of medication, environmental factors such as extreme weather, strong UV radiation or pollutants in the home. These include household toxins that hide unnoticed in a wide variety of materials: pesticide residues in textiles, foamed wallpaper, paints and varnishes or floor coverings. They pose a threat to skin health, especially in enclosed spaces.

Radiation exposure from radio links, widespread cell phone reception and blue light emitted from displays and screens can also have a harmful effect on skin health.

Highly sensitive skin is also associated with skin diseases such as neurodermatitis (atopic eczema), rosacea or psoriasis.

Hypersensitive skin due to emulsifiers

Emulsifiers are used to combine water- and fat-soluble ingredients in skin care products and form a stable emulsion. They are commonly found in creams, lotions and other cosmetic products. However, emulsifiers cause problems for sensitive skin and can even make the skin hypersensitive.

Emulsifiers weaken the skin barrier by not only combining the oily and aqueous components of a formulation as an undesirable side effect, but also by binding to the protective fats and lipids of the skin barrier, which are then washed out when make-up is removed or upon subsequent contact with water (wash-out effect).

As a result, emulsifiers increasingly dry out the skin and make it more permeable to external irritants.

Emulsifiers weaken the skin's natural defense function and can lead to hypersensitivity, redness and itching if used frequently.

In contrast, our emulsifier-free facial care offers a gentle and effective care option for sensitive skin. By avoiding emulsifiers, the skin barrier is strengthened and regenerated, the skin's moisture content is improved and the skin's microbiome remains in balance. Our products are particularly suitable for people who prefer minimalist and natural skin care that strengthens and protects the skin without putting unnecessary strain on it.

Soothing natural ingredients for sensitive skin

• Anti-irritant plant oils
  Hypersensitive, irritated skin needs mild, moisturizing care that soothes irritation, redness and itching. Therefore, low-irritation, anti-irritant plant oils such as jojoba, argan or grape seed oil are particularly recommended, as is skin-soothing shea butter. Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids from hemp or evening primrose oil in particular soothe hypersensitive, irritated skin.
• beta-glucan
  obtained from the germ layer of oats, inhibits inflammation, binds moisture deeply in the skin, strengthens the skin barrier, improves the skin's UV protection, protects against stress caused by environmental influences.
• Schizandra, licorice root and green tea
  have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They protect sensitive, irritated skin from cell damage and ensure soothed, balanced skin.

beauty routine for sensitive skin

Here is a basic beauty routine in 4 - 5 steps with especially gentle products to minimize irritation and soothe the skin.

Step 1 – Cleaning
The Organic Jojoba Cleansing Cream S with a high proportion of cold-pressed organic jojoba oil and organic shea butter is free of surfactants, alcohol or fragrances. Avoid hot water when removing the cleanser, as this degreases the skin and can irritate it further.

Step 2 - Toner
After cleansing, use an alcohol-free and fragrance-free toner to soothe and hydrate the skin. The Bio Magnolia Toner Sensitve is a good option for hypersensitive skin.

Step 3 - Serum
Choose a serum with soothing and moisturizing ingredients such as the Hyaluronic Acid Serum 300 with Aloe Vera and Beta-Glucan. An additional serum with antioxidants such as Vitamin C or Bakuchiol helps to protect the skin cells and strengthen resistance.

Step 4 - Moisturizer
The Organic Jojoba Day Cream S is rich but not greasy. In addition to high-quality cold-pressed plant oils, it provides the skin with plenty of moisture based on organic aloe vera. The Organic Jojoba Day Cream soothes irritated skin, improves elasticity and keeps the skin supple.

Step 5 – Facial oil (optional)
A hypoallergenic facial oil with plant-based sun protection such as Sunshine Day Oil S offers daily UV protection. Overnight, the regenerating Calming Face Oil promotes cell regeneration and serves to enrich the face cream if necessary.

What should you consider when switching to a new facial care product for sensitive skin?

• Only try one new product at a time. If you add several new products to your skincare routine at the same time, it will be almost impossible to find out which product caused the problems. If your skin tolerated the first product well, you can integrate the next product into your facial care routine after about 4 to 7 days of successful use.
• Avoid using exfoliators while trying out a new facial care product to avoid unnecessary irritation.
• If your skin feels tight when using a serum, we recommend adding 2-3 drops of facial oil over your moisturizer.
• When using facial care products with vitamin C, bakuchiol or niacinamide, you can gradually increase the concentration and frequency of application to gradually get your skin used to it. To start with, it is best to apply the product selectively.

facial care tips for sensitive skin

• Experience has shown that sensitive facial skin responds best to hypoallergenic formulations. Especially if you are prone to intolerances or allergies, choose a face cream that is free of fragrances, alcohol, emulsifiers or preservatives.
• Do not use too many different cosmetic and care products. These can overwhelm sensitive skin and encourage irritation and intolerance.
• Make-up: Use non-comedogenic waterproof make-up without fragrance, emulsifiers or alcohol, specially formulated for very sensitive skin. Apply make-up lightly and evenly and remove thoroughly in the evening with a gentle oil cleanser such as Deep Cleansing Oil.
• A facial care product for sensitive, irritated skin should consist of a few, but low-irritation, natural, vegan ingredients. The rule here is: less is more!