Sensitive skin has a trust problem with new products. The experience of trying something that promises to be gentle and then spending the next 48 hours managing the fallout is familiar enough that most people with sensitive skin become conservative shoppers: they stick with what they know and approach new products with justified suspicion.
Here's what we do differently — and why our formulas work for sensitive skin types.
What Makes Skin Sensitive?
Sensitive skin is typically characterised by a compromised skin barrier — the outermost protective layer that regulates moisture and shields skin from environmental irritants. When this barrier is weakened, skin becomes more reactive, more prone to redness, dryness and discomfort, and more susceptible to irritation from ingredients that wouldn't bother less reactive skin types.
The triggers vary between people: alcohol in some formulas, fragrance in others, certain preservatives, or simply formulas that are too heavy or too occlusive.
What We Avoid
Our formulas are free from:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Mineral oils
- Artificial colourants
- Alcohol denat. in face formulas (our face mist and prep spray are both alcohol-free)
- Sulphates
What We Include Instead
The ingredients in our range that specifically support sensitive skin:
Aloe Vera — anti-inflammatory, calming, hydrating. In our Flow State Face Mist, it soothes reactive or flushed skin on contact.
Panthenol (Vitamin B5) — strengthens the skin barrier and reduces sensitivity over time. In both our face mist and body mist.
Niacinamide — reduces redness and builds ceramide production, which directly improves barrier function. In our face mist, prep spray and body lotion.
Allantoin — a soothing agent that promotes skin cell regeneration and calms irritation. In the Face Mist formula.
Sodium Hyaluronate — deeply hydrating without the occlusive heaviness that can irritate sensitive skin.
The Sensitive Skin Routine
For sensitive skin, we recommend starting with one product at a time and introducing others gradually. The safest starting points:
- Flow State Face Mist — the most gentle product in our face range. Alcohol-free, fragrance at minimal concentration, calming formula.
- Glow Lip Oil — simple ingredient list, conditioning formula, no known common irritants.
- Silk Layer Body Lotion — lightweight, fast-absorbing, with barrier-supporting ingredients throughout.
As always, if you have specific known allergies, check our full ingredient lists — available on every product page. And if you have any questions about specific ingredients, reach out at hello@glowandflowhealth.com. We're always honest about what's in our products.