Calming & Soothing Skincare

Inflammation and sensitivity can leave skin feeling uncomfortable, red, and reactive. A calming skincare routine helps reduce flare-ups, strengthen your skin barrier, and restore comfort – perfect for sensitive skin or skin that’s feeling reactive and sensitised. Discover our insights below.

What soothes and calms the skin?

Soothing the skin is about creating an environment where the skin can recover, rehydrate, and rebalance.

When skin is irritated, its natural barrier has usually been disrupted. This can happen due to external stressors (like cold weather or pollution), internal ones (like hormones or stress), or overuse of active ingredients. The key to calming skin lies in three steps:

1. Calm signs of inflammation

Look for anti-inflammatory ingredients that help reduce redness and discomfort.

• Oat extract is rich in beta-glucan which helps to repair the skin’s barrier, reduce redness, and lock in moisture. It supports skin recovery and relieves irritation to calm skin.
• Silver Hydrosol is a natural antibacterial that can aid inflammation, support healing and reduce sensitivity.
• Aloe Vera helps reduce redness and inflammation while providing deep hydration, promoting healing of irritated skin. Its cooling effect also helps calm skin that feels inflamed.

Our award-winning silver face cream, formulated with Silver Hydrosol, Aloe Vera and DNA HP, is designed to calm, hydrate and rebalance skin. 

2. Hydrate deeply

Dehydrated skin is more prone to flare-ups, so replenishing moisture is essential.

• DNA HP provides long-lasting hydration on a cellular level – 10 times more effective than Hyaluronic Acid – while its antioxidant properties help skin repair and regenerate.
  
• As well as being anti-inflammatory, the high water content in Aloe Vera can replenish your skin’s hydration.
  
• Glycerin, or naturally derived humectants, draw water from the air into the skin and hold it there for long-lasting hydration.

3. Rebuild the skin barrier

Supporting your skin’s protective barrier reduces future reactivity.

• Natural oils like Kukui and Argan - found in our non-comedogenic face oil - are rich in omega fatty acids and antioxidants, helping to soothe, nourish, and protect.
  
• Squalane mimics the skin’s natural oils to support the skin’s natural barrier.
  
• Ceramides are lipids that help form the skin’s protective barrier and building them into your skincare routine can support your skin barrier.
  
• We feature Vitamin E in our organic face oil too – that’s because it rebuilds and strengthens the skin's barrier by promoting moisture retention, soothing inflammation, and protecting against environmental damage. 

Bonus: Gentle textures + mindful application

Choose creamy, balm-like or milky textures over gels or foams, and avoid friction when applying products. A calming skincare routine is as much about the ritual as it is about the ingredients.

What not to put on irritated skin?

When your skin is red, sore, or flaring up, it’s best to step back and simplify. Avoid ingredients and tools that could cause further disruption:

Avoid:

• Synthetic fragrance and alcohol (can sting or dry out reactive skin)
• Strong exfoliating acids (like glycolic acid, AHAs, BHAs)
• Retinol or other potent actives during a flare-up
• Abrasive scrubs or cleansing brushes
• Harsh preservatives or overly complex routines

Instead, try:

• A gentle cleanser and soft cloth or hands
• Minimalist formulas with barrier-supporting ingredients
• Hydrating mists or tonics with soothing properties