Sensitive skin usually comes back to a compromised barrier — when that protective layer is weakened, skin reacts more easily to fragrance, surfactants, weather and friction, showing up as redness, tightness or stinging. Supporting and rebuilding the barrier is the key to skin that feels calmer over time.

Gentle and gradual. Start with just a cream cleanser and a calming moisturiser, and let your skin settle before adding anything else. Introduce actives like Vitamin C slowly, a few evenings a week, and bring in a facial oil to support the barrier. Patch test every new product first.

Slowly, and one at a time. Patch test on the inner arm or behind the ear for a day or two, then add a single new product and give it a week or so before introducing the next. If something causes a reaction, stop and let the skin recover. Going slowly is what makes a routine stick.

A cream. Foaming, stripping cleansers are a common trigger for sensitive skin, lifting away the oils a fragile barrier needs. A gentle cream cleanser removes the day's grime while leaving the skin calm and comfortable — exactly the starting point reactive skin needs.

Yes, with care. The key is a stable, well-formulated serum applied to a healthy barrier rather than a high-strength acid. Introduce it slowly — patch test, then a few evenings a week — and always follow with your moisturiser. Many people with sensitive skin tolerate it beautifully this way.

They can be one of the most useful steps. Sensitive skin often has a barrier that struggles to hold moisture, and a lightweight blend of plant oils helps rebuild that lipid layer so skin feels calmer and less reactive over time. Introduce it slowly, a few drops at night, and patch test first.