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January 21, 2025 8 min read
Sensitive skin is a term many people use to describe how their skin reacts to certain ingredients, environmental factors, or lifestyle changes. But what does "sensitive skin" really mean, and how can you take care of it effectively?
At Bright Body, we understand how frustrating it can be to find products that work for sensitive skin. In this blog, we’ll dive into what sensitive skin truly is, what ingredients to avoid, and how Bright Body can be a gentle yet effective solution for your skincare routine.
Sensitive skin isn’t just one thing. There is no universal definition of sensitive skin because it’s experienced differently by everyone. For some, sensitivity is about redness or irritation, for others, it’s about dryness or breakouts.
According to recent statistics, nearly 60% of people report having sensitive skin, with 50% of women identifying as having sensitive skin, compared to 40% of men. The experiences can vary from person to person, but one thing is certain: sensitive skin can be tricky to navigate without the right products.
Sensitive skin can occur for a variety of reasons, including environmental factors like weather changes or pollution, or due to internal factors like hormonal fluctuations or stress.
However, much of what is commonly labeled as “sensitive skin” is actually a reaction to harsh conventional ingredients often found in mainstream skincare products. Ingredients like drying alcohols, synthetic fragrances, and harsh preservatives can cause irritation, redness, and even inflammation in those with sensitive skin.
A major reason many people experience skin sensitivity is due to reactions to common skincare ingredients that disrupt the skin’s natural barrier function. Two of the biggest offenders are drying alcohols and synthetic fragrance — both of which are commonly found in conventional skincare products. These ingredients can strip the skin of moisture, leading to dryness, irritation, and flare-ups.
Alcohols like ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and denatured alcohol, are frequently used in skincare products, primarily as fillers. However, these alcohols can dry out and irritate the skin, especially for those with sensitive skin. The alcohols break down the skin's natural oils, which can lead to an imbalance and cause the skin to feel tight, dry, or flaky.
At Bright Body, we believe in protecting the skin’s delicate balance, which is why we don’t use drying alcohols in any of our products. Instead, our formulations are packed with nourishing ingredients that maintain hydration and protect the skin’s moisture barrier.
Synthetic fragrance is the number one cause of allergic reactions in skincare products. Often used to make products smell pleasant, synthetic fragrances can be made from hundreds of different compounds, many of which are potential allergens (and even endocrine disruptors). For sensitive skin, even low levels of synthetic fragrance can cause irritation, redness, and even rashes.
In contrast, Bright Body uses only safe, low concentrations of essential oils in products that include fragrance. Essential oils are natural, plant-based compounds that provide gentle, soothing scents. We use essential oils not just for their smell, but also for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Sensitive skin needs gentle, calming, and nourishing ingredients to help it stay balanced and healthy. At Bright Body, we use carefully chosen ingredients that have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties to help protect and heal the skin without causing irritation.
Here are a few of the most commonly used powerhouse ingredients in our products:
Our products are also multi-beneficial, meaning they can address multiple concerns at once, reducing the need for an overwhelming, complicated routine. This simplicity makes it easier to use fewer products for more benefits, which is especially important for sensitive skin.
When it comes to sensitive skin, we recommend starting simple, paying attention to how your skin responds, and only adding in more products if you need to. This makes it easy to isolate variables and easily identify if a product is causing a reaction.
To start, your skin needs two basic steps:
When you tolerate the products from those two steps, then you can add in more targeted products for your specific needs. For example:
At Bright Body, we understand how important it is to test new products before committing to a full-size bottle, especially when you have sensitive skin. That’s why we offer a mini size guarantee. You can try our products in smaller sizes to ensure they’re the right fit for your skin. This allows you to experience the benefits of our products without the worry of committing to something that may cause irritation.
When dealing with sensitive skin, sometimes reactions are due to a known allergy to a "related" plant group byproduct. it’s important to be aware of common cross-allergies so you can be informed when reading labels and choosing the right products for you.
Here’s a list of some common cross-allergies that can affect sensitive skin:
Lavender and Mint. Popular for their soothing properties, these plants are related and can cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to either herb. We use mint in our Post-Wash Herbal Lemon Rinse and low concentrations of lavender essential oil in several products, including our Flaxseed & Oat Protein Curly Hair Gel, Makeup Remover, Moisture Locking Curl Spray, and more.
If you have known sensitivities to any of the above ingredients, it’s always best to patch test a small amount of any new product on your skin before using it more widely.
Sensitive skin doesn’t have to be a roadblock to glowing, healthy skin. With the right products and ingredients, you can soothe, nourish, and protect your skin without irritation. At Bright Body, we’re proud to offer nontoxic skincare solutions made with gentle, effective ingredients that promote healing and balance.
If you’re struggling with sensitivity, we invite you to explore our products and experience the difference. With a focus on simple, soothing, and multi-beneficial products, we’re here to help your sensitive skin thrive — naturally and gently.
Ready to try our gentle skincare? Get 15% off your first order with code: NEW.
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