Module 5: Caring for Sensitive Skin
Text Version
What causes sensitive skin?
Common triggers & causes
- Certain ingredients (perfumes, preservatives, emulsifiers)
- Family predisposition, DNA Illness, medical and skin conditions (e.g. eczema)
- Environment (e.g. pollution, humidity, wind, heat and sun exposure)
- Hormonal shifts (e.g. pregnancy, menopause)
Skin Characteristics
- Dry, flaking skin
- Itchiness, tightness
- Redness
- Rashes skin
- Inflammation
- Hyperpigmentation
- Acne, pimples, blackheads
Needs
1. Use skin care products that help rebuild a healthy skin barrier 2. Eliminate practices that disrupt it
Avoid
- Common skin care irritants (perfume, emulsifiers, essential oils, preservatives, synthetics, etc.)
- Detergent cleansers
- Harsh scrubs & exfoliants
- Some actives (acids, retinol, vitamin C)
Embrace
- Organic, unrefined and natural ingredients
- Gentle cleansing
- Calming toners
- Nourishing serums
- water-free moisturisers
Customer Profiles
You may be approached by customers including...
- Frustrated by long-standing issues, "tried everything"
- Going through a life change (e.g. pregnancy)
- Noticing an issue but not sure where to start
Morning Routine
We suggest the following:
1. Cleanse
Makeup Remover & Cleansing Oil: This will cleanse the skin of oil-soluble dirt and pollutants while delivering pro-vitamin A and E, both potent antioxidants. This is our gentlest cleanser and highly recommended for sensitive skin.
2. Double cleanse/mask
Facial Cleanser, Exfoliator & Mask: Cleanses skin of cellular debris without detergents and gently exfoliates cell debris. Those with currently inflamed skin should delay use until skin settles
3. Tone
Pure Hydrosol Toner: With anti-inflammatory properties and a pH of around 5, our gentle toner is loved by those with sensitive skin. It helps restore the skin’s acid mantle and creates an aqueous base on which to apply our water-free moisturisers.
4. Nourish
Raspberry & Pomegranate Beauty Serum: Light, highly bioactive concentrate designed for normal and dry skins.
Elderberry & Chia Seed Beauty Serum: Light, highly bioactive concentrate designed for normal and dry skins.
5. Protect
Pure Face & Body Cream: Fragrance free and the perfect choice for sensitive skin
Evening Routine
1. Cleanse
Makeup Remover & Cleansing Oil: This will cleanse the skin of oil-soluble dirt and pollutants while delivering pro-vitamin A and E, both potent antioxidants. This is our gentlest cleanser and highly recommended for sensitive skin, especially if it tends to be dry.
2. Mask
Facial Cleanser, Exfoliator & Mask: Cleanses skin of cellular debris without detergents and gently exfoliates cell debris. Those with currently inflamed skin should delay use until skin settles.
2. Tone
Pure Hydrosol Toner: With anti-inflammatory properties and a pH of around 5, our gentle toner helps restore the skin’s acid mantle. It also makes the ideal aqueous base on which to apply our water-free moisturisers.
3. Nourish
Raspberry & Pomegranate Beauty Serum: Light, highly bioactive concentrate designed for normal and dry skins.
Elderberry & Chia Seed Beauty Serum: Light, highly bioactive concentrate designed for normal and dry skins.
4. Protect
Pure Face & Body Cream: When skin is sensitive, this is the best choice (no added essential oils)
Common Queries
Q: What's wrong with detergent cleansers?
Most people don’t realise that standard liquid face cleansers are made from detergents, sometimes called surfactants. Although these cleansers do a good job removing dirt, they can also deplete the oily part of your skin’s barrier. Your skin may feel 'squeaky clean' - but the skin’s barrier can become so depleted that it is susceptible to irritants, invasive bacteria and chronic skin problems.
Q: What are emulsifiers?
Emulsifiers are ingredients that allow water and oil components to mix. That's why you'll find them in all standard, water-containing skin care. For most, the inclusion of an emulsifier is not problematic. However, when the skin’s barrier is compromised (e.g. by acne, eczema or rosacea) emulsifiers can potentially cause further damage to the skin’s barrier. Emsulifiers have also been shown to be allergenic. Mokosh products are completely emulsifier-free.
Q: Do synthetic ingredients cause skin reactions?
The truth is that any ingredient has the potential to cause a skin reaction - no matter how 'pure' or organic the product is. However, skin reactions are most commonly caused by synthetic ingredients - emulsifiers, preservatives and fragrances. All our products are free of synthetic ingredients and are highly recommended for people with sensitive skin. We recommend our essential oil-free products as go-to's for people with sensitive skin.
Q: What do you mean by "skin barrier"?
Our skin barrier is made up of three components: the lipid (waterproof) layer, the chemical layer, and the microbiome. When all parts of our skin’s barrier are intact, our skin is healthy and glowing. However, a change in just one aspect can result in dryness, irritation, redness or acne.
Q: Is natural skin care strong enough to solve my skin problems?
Our pure, synthetic-free skin care can make a big difference to the health of your skin. Many of our customers report profound improvements when they switch to Mokosh. However, please consult your GP or dermatologist if you have ongoing skin concerns.
Next up: Skin care for pregnancy, babies and children