What does "sensitive skin" really mean?

Many of the people we see have reached the point where they're nervous to try anything new, because everything seems to leave their skin red, tight or uncomfortable. If that's you, you're not alone, and it isn't your fault.

Sensitive skin tends to react easily, and skin can also become sensitised over time from over-exfoliating, harsh products, weather or stress. Either way, the answer usually isn't more products. It's calming things down, easing off whatever's aggravating your skin, and helping it feel comfortable and resilient again. Often that means doing less, but doing it well.

How we help sensitive and reactive skin

Rather than following a one-size-fits-all routine, every first visit starts with a consultation where we look at how your skin is actually behaving and what might be setting it off, whether that's your products, your routine, the weather or stress. From there we choose calm, gentle treatments instead of the strong actives that tend to tip reactive skin over the edge.

Our Circadia facials, the Calm Restore especially, are all about soothing visible redness and helping your skin feel comfortable and settled again. We'll often pair this with Dermalux LED light therapy, one of the gentlest, most relaxing treatments there is, with no heat, no abrasion and no downtime. And we'll help you simplify what you're using at home, because reactive skin almost always calms down once the routine does.

An honest note: facials can do a lot to calm and strengthen sensitive skin, but if you have persistent redness, flare-ups, or a diagnosed condition such as rosacea, eczema or dermatitis, please see your GP or a dermatologist alongside any facial care. We'll always work gently and within what's right for your skin.
Treatments

Treatments we'd recommend

Calm Restore facial for sensitive, reactive skin

Calm Restore

90 mins £147

A gentle, soothing treatment for sensitive, reactive or overwhelmed skin. We focus on easing visible redness and helping your skin feel calm, comfortable and settled again rather than tight and irritated.

Best for: sensitivity, reactivity, redness-prone skin, comfort and calm.

Dermalux LED light therapy session

LED Skin Session

40 mins £47

A relaxing, drug-free Dermalux LED treatment - no heat, no abrasion - supporting healthier, more balanced and comfortable skin. Includes a double cleanse, targeted LED light therapy and finishing skincare. Often most effective as a course.

Best for: redness and sensitivity, comfort, post-treatment recovery, overall skin maintenance.

The Skin Studio Signature Facial

The Skin Studio Signature Facial

60 mins £107

The treatment everything is built from. A bespoke facial designed around your skin's current needs on the day, combining tailored exfoliation, targeted correction and advanced facial massage, finished with a customised mask. A lovely option if you're new to facials or want something tailored to you.

Best for: regular maintenance, first-time facial clients and anyone wanting a treatment tailored to their skin.

Sensitive skin: your questions

What's the difference between sensitive and sensitised skin?

It's a subtle but useful difference. Sensitive skin is something you're born with, it reacts easily and always has. Sensitised skin is when normally fine skin has become reactive over time, usually from over-exfoliating, harsh products, weather or stress. The good news is that sensitised skin can often be calmed right down once we ease off whatever's aggravating it.

Which facial is best for sensitive skin?

Our go-to is the Calm Restore facial, which is built around soothing and comforting reactive, redness-prone skin with gentle Circadia products. It pairs beautifully with Dermalux LED. As with everything, your first visit starts with a consultation so we can be sure it's the right fit for your skin.

Can I have a facial if my skin is redness-prone or rosacea-prone?

In most cases, yes, and we'll keep everything gentle and steer clear of the harsh actives that tend to set redness-prone skin off. If you've been diagnosed with something like rosacea, do mention it when you book, and we'll always suggest seeing your GP or dermatologist for anything medical so a facial supports their care rather than replacing it.

Is LED light therapy safe for sensitive skin?

Absolutely. LED is one of our favourite treatments for sensitive skin because it's completely non-invasive and genuinely comfortable. There's no heat, no peeling and no downtime, and most clients find it really relaxing.

Will a facial leave my skin red?

A little warmth or pinkness straight afterwards is normal and usually settles quickly. Because we keep everything tailored and gentle for reactive skin, most clients leave looking calm and comfortable, and we'll talk you through simple aftercare before you go.

Which areas does The Skin Studio cover?

We're a calm home studio in Chelsfield, Kent (BR6), easily reached from Orpington, Petts Wood, Bromley and the surrounding Kent area.

Book a calming facial in Chelsfield

Serving Chelsfield, Orpington, Petts Wood, Bromley and the surrounding Kent area. New clients begin with a consultation so we can tailor your treatment.

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