Truly sensitive skin – whatever the cause – will look red (in patches or maybe all over), will break out if certain products are used, can be flaky and feel itchy. It's not just a wishy-washy, vague description, but a condition that is typically associated with conditions like eczema, rosacea and general hyper-sensitivity; it needs to be treated with kid gloves.
And for sufferers that can mean a continual quest for skincare products that don't upset it futher. This usually means fragrances, chemical additives like preservatives, parabens etc. But it's a confusing market with lots of so-called 'natural' products and it can be a case of having to kiss a lot of frogs...
Step forward then Senzimi. It's a new and very focussed line consisting of cleanser, moisturiser, shampoo and conditioner specifically for those with sensitive skin. As mine has aged it has become much, much drier and with the additional blessing of rosacea which flare from time to time – an attractive redness around the nose.
So I was interested to try Senzimi. For those who like to research their problem – and find solutions – Senzimi's website is great for spelling things out. It explains about ingredients and what they do (the baddies as well as the good ones) and it describes how its own products are made and tested.
The mild, sulphate-free Sensitive Cleanser (£13.99 -125ml) feels extremely creamy and contains jojoba oil to help unclog pores without stripping the skin of its natural oils. There's almost no scent at all, just the faintest botanical aroma that I can't identify. Rinsed, or, in my case, wiped off with a warm damp muslin cloth, it leaves the skin feeling clean and plumped up, but not taut and prickly.
The Sensitive Daily Moisturiser (£15.99 - 50ml) contains all the ingredients I most associate with helping 'difficult' skins: olive squalene, oat extract, rosehip oil and argan oil – the last two being favourites of mine. No wonder it feels so protective and rich. There is also a blend of herbal extracts which act as anti-irritants and other ingredients to boost natural protection against UV damage and the appearance of age spots. As with the cleanser there's no scent at all that I can discern.
After three weeks of continuous use, my skin feels incredibly soft and I haven't had a flare up. My skin isn't ultra-sensitive, but according to Senzimi, the independent clinical tests that the products have undergone show that 90-99% of the ingredients they use have been classified as 'harmless' with regard to skin irritation on those who do suffer. They're also suitable for vegetarians.
www.Senzimi-skincare.com |
