SENSITIVE SKIN
Sensitive skin might just be a blessing in disguise.
Having sensitive skin can feel like a curse, but with more and more evidence emerging about harmful ingredients, your sensitive skin may actually be protecting you.
What is Sensitive Skin?
Sensitive skin is not a diagnosis.
It’s a catch-all term indicating
that your skin is more reactive
than most, with a tendency to
become red, inflamed, itchy,
or uncomfortable in response
to weather, stress, or skincare
products. If you’ve ever been
accused of having “thin skin,”
there may be some truth there:
having sensitive skin means that
the outer layer of your skin is
thinner and weaker than your
non-sensitive friends, allowing
more irritants and allergens to
penetrate the skin.
Sensitive skin can also occur
alongside conditions like eczema,
psoriasis, and rosacea, which
can further confuse the picture.
Essentially, sensitive skin is less
effective as a barrier, allowing
irritants to slip through and
trigger a local immune response
causing redness, dryness, and
inflammation.
For Sensitive skin
Let's do this together.
Your skin is telling you it needs your help. Luckily, once you’ve
become an ingredient expert, you can support your skin by making
informed choices that will keep your skin calm and happy.
critical beginning steps
Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate
SLS is a foaming agent in almost everything that bubbles, excluding soap. You will find it in your toothpaste, your shampoo, your laundry detergent, your dish washing liquid, and your body wash. There are many ways to make SLS, some of them plant-based, so don’t assume that your “green” detergent or hair care doesn’t use it. Unfortunately, SLS has been shown to be a serious skin irritant, even in its gentler forms, so it really, truly has to go.
Synthetic fragrance
With hundreds of undisclosed ingredients, many of which are irritants and allergens, you’d be wise to eliminate “fragrance” and “parfum” from everything you use on your skin, your hair, and in your home. When you’re trying to figure out what’s upsetting your skin, it becomes almost impossible if synthetic scent is on the scene.
Exfoliants
Using scrubs—even natural ones made from salt and sugar—might not be what your sensitive skin needs until it’s on the road to recovery. The same goes for a loofah or even a rough washcloth in the shower. Just wash with a gentle soap and your hands until your skin is in a less reactive state.
Oh So or Oh So Detox Soap
These unscented, low-lather bars are formulated for the most sensitive skin, with minimal ingredients and no essential oils.
Naked Body Oil
Applied to wet skin, this unscented oil will begin to strengthen the lipid layer that is often compromised with reactive skin.
Naked Body Mousse
For a little extra softening, this unscented, whipped shea butter mousse will continue the soothing without irritation. Note: if you are allergic to latex, you should have a skin test to make sure you’re not allergic to shea butter also!
Lip Doctor
Another staple in our essential-oil free collection, Lip Doctor soothes irritated, sore lips with cocoa butter and olive oil.
super important next steps
