What is sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin reacts before it looks like anything's wrong — the first sign is usually a feeling, not a mark. Redness, stinging, or itching shows up fast with a new product, fragrance, or hot water. The routine's job is minimising variables, not adding actives.

Why does my skin react to almost everything new?

Reactive skin responds to variables — fragrance, alcohol, hot water, physical scrubs, or several new actives at once. The fix is a minimal, fragrance-free baseline and introducing one new active at a time, always patch-tested first.

Is mineral SPF better for sensitive skin?

Mineral filters are tolerated by more sensitive skin than chemical filters, which is why the routine here recommends a mineral SPF. It is general guidance, and it may not hold for every person.

Sensitive skin

reacts before it looks like anything's wrong — the first sign is usually a feeling, not a mark

What this type is

Redness, stinging, or itching shows up fast with a new product, fragrance, or hot water, sometimes without a visible mark to match. The routine's job is minimising variables, not adding actives.

The basic routine

A simple 2–3 step starting point, category only.

Cleanse

fragrance-free, minimal ingredient list

a fragrance-free cleanser with a minimal ingredient list

Moisturize

barrier-supporting, fragrance-free

a barrier-supporting, fragrance-free moisturizer

Protect

a mineral SPF — mineral filters are tolerated by more sensitive skin than chemical filters

a mineral SPF

What the full AM/PM routine adds

The full morning and night sequence — every step in order, with the why behind each position — plus what to avoid for sensitive skin and a patch-test note. It is behind a single optional gate on the quiz.

Take the quiz

These are general category recommendations, not personalised medical advice. Skin behaviour varies by person, and a routine is a description of a pattern, not a diagnosis. For an actual skin concern, see a dermatologist.

Common questions

What is sensitive skin?: Sensitive skin reacts before it looks like anything's wrong — the first sign is usually a feeling, not a mark. Redness, stinging, or itching shows up fast with a new product, fragrance, or hot water. The routine's job is minimising variables, not adding actives.
Why does my skin react to almost everything new?: Reactive skin responds to variables — fragrance, alcohol, hot water, physical scrubs, or several new actives at once. The fix is a minimal, fragrance-free baseline and introducing one new active at a time, always patch-tested first.
Is mineral SPF better for sensitive skin?: Mineral filters are tolerated by more sensitive skin than chemical filters, which is why the routine here recommends a mineral SPF. It is general guidance, and it may not hold for every person.