During the cooler months of the year, we hear from many people that their skin is more reactive than usual. Suddenly, they are experiencing flaking, dryness, itching and inflammation, and they are looking for a product to soothe and calm it. In order to take the best care of sensitive skin, it’s important to understand what triggers a skin reaction, why it happens more often during winter and as we get older, and what we can do to calm the inflammation that makes our skin so uncomfortable to be in.

What causes sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin can be a lifelong condition, or may come and go according to a range of external factors. It is known that some people have skin that is literally more sensitive - their nerves are more easily triggered than most. For others, it is linked to a more reactive immune system. For these people, it’s a matter of reducing exposure to factors that set off the inflammation, while keeping their skin as healthy as possible.

External factors are also important. Most crucial is the integrity of the skin’s barrier. When the barrier fails, it allows entry of the irritants, allergens and microorganisms that can set off an immune response. Our skin’s barrier can be compromised by depletion of skin lipids, changes in skin pH, and changes in the skin’s microbiome.  

Climate also plays a part - during winter, skin lipid levels are depleted compared to the warmer months, making the barrier more permeable. This can be compounded by the fact that we are more likely to stay under a hot shower for longer in winter, further depleting lipids from our skin. In addition, as we age, the levels of lipids in our skin naturally decline, further compromising barrier function. 

Finally, we know that high stress levels, as well as some foods, for example alcohol and caffeine, can increase our skin’s reactivity.

What damages our skin’s barrier?

Most people are unaware that products that are applied to their skin every day can upset their skin’s barrier, leading to a range of skin problems (read more here). 

For example, soaps and detergent cleansers deplete lipids from our skin’s barrier, while the preservatives added to virtually all skin care products can upset the balance of our skin’s microbiome, another essential part of our skin’s barrier (read more here). 

Emulsifiers, which are detergent-like molecules added to water-based skin care, can upset the lipid structure of our skin’s barrier (read more here).  In addition, many products in skin care are common triggers of skin reactions - retinol, acids, preservatives, emulsifiers, alcohol and fragrances, for example. 

Clearly, protecting our skin’s barrier function is crucial to keeping skin calm. What’s more, calm, healthy  skin may be extremely important to our overall health, particularly as we age (read more here).

How can we keep our skin’s barrier healthy?

Step one, as for most health issues, is to control the controllable - eat well, exercise regularly, prioritise rest and sleep, and reduce stress. This will calm the immune system and will help reduce inflammation in our whole bodies. 

Next, it is important to avoid extremes of heat, cold and wind, avoid dry atmospheres, and resist the temptation to take long hot showers and baths. Some people find that humidifiers can improve the condition of their skin.

Finally, choosing skin care products that rebuild rather than deplete the skin’s lipids will strengthen the skin’s physical barrier and keep it well hydrated. Avoiding products that are strongly acidic or alkaline will preserve the skin’s acidic pH, which is important for restricting the growth of harmful microbes. Finally, it is important to avoid products that disturb the balance of microbes in the skin like preservatives and other antimicrobials. Maintaining a healthy microbiome can keep our immune system calm, which is important for our overall health (read more here). 

At the same time, we should steer clear of products that contain known irritants. 

Why are Mokosh products ideal for sensitive skin? 

It can be difficult to navigate the jungle that is skin care, full of confusing ingredient names and misleading messaging. For most people, the function of an ingredient is not always clear, and whether it is actually beneficial to the skin is also questionable.

Mokosh products are made using only pure, organic botanical ingredients. They contain no preservatives, emulsifiers, detergents, alcohols or other synthetic ingredients. We made them this way because  many of these synthetic ingredients, added to virtually all skin care, are known to disrupt the skin’s barrier. Each of our ingredients was selected for its ability to restore the skin’s lipid barrier, maintain the skin's optimal pH, reduce inflammation and protect important skin elements like collagen and elastin. All this while preserving the skin's microbiome. Their sole purpose is to promote calm, healthy, glowing skin. 

That said, it’s important to keep in mind that any ingredient can set off a skin reaction, even the purest botanical. For that reason, we recommend that those with sensitive skin start out with our sample sizes when trying the products for the first time. And don't forget, we're always available for advice on what products might suit you best.