In recent years it has become increasingly clear that the number of people suffering with skin sensitivity is on the up. In fact, recent surveys have found up to 50% of people claim to have sensitive skin, with women being slightly more susceptible than men. It can sometimes feel like we’re just in an endless circle of trialling different products, only to find they too flare up the skins sensitivity, but we can first dismantle our understanding of skincare by getting to grips with a few industry secrets and a little myth busting. Arming yourself with the facts can set us on the right path to make choices which work to keep our sensitivity at bay, and our skin flourishing.

Dig Deeper To Find Out if ‘Natural’ Really Is Natural
Often the first step we as consumers struggling with skin sensitivity take, is to switch to natural skincare products – and with this approach we can ensure everything that goes on our skin is good for us, right?
Unfortunately, things aren’t so simple. The truth is, just because ingredients are plant derived, doesn’t mean they are all natural to use on your skin. The way in which an ingredient is extracted can greatly affect the impact it has on your skin, and therefore whether it works for your skin, or instead can create more damage and sensitisation. Take essential oils for example, whilst they’re often hailed as being a natural source of antioxidants, with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, the truth is most essential oils are too harsh and therefore sensitising for the skin, and whilst they may add scent to a product, it is often at the detriment of your skin. This is due primarily to the fact that essential oils are extracted from plant material through steam distillation. During the manufacturing process, essential oils undergo a process called ‘post treatment’ – this allows the removal of certain chemicals, the concentration of the oil or a change in colour. And whilst the marketing behind essential oils is to promote them as being ‘pure’, certain processes can lessen the quality of the oil. For instance, ‘adulteration’ is the process in which additional products are added to the oil, whereas ‘aging’ is the process in which autooxidation leads to by products of the oil (which can often be more sensitising). Tea Tree Oil is an example of an essential oil which undergoes the aging process when exposed to air, and despite its antibacterial and antifungal properties, the aging process means it produces strong sensitisers like peroxide – meaning Tea Tree Oil can end up doing more damage to the skin than it does good. Similarly, citrus essential oils, like lemon, orange and bergamot have not only been found to be particularly sensitising, but even phototoxic. And whilst most essential oils consist of around  100-250 components, it’s been found that certain oils contain up to 500 components, including Limonene, Linalool and Citronellol, all of which are very sensitising components. And whilst these ingredients may have been labelled as safe for the skin, prolonged use of these ingredients can lead to reactive skin over tine, for adults and children alike. So, in order to avoid these sensitising ingredients, opt for products which have used alternative extractions methods like CO2 extraction. CO2 extraction involves converting carbon dioxide into a liquid like state, therefore enabling an ingredient to be extracted from a plant with minimal risk of degradation/heat exposure, and then converting the carbon dioxide back into a gas, leaving behind the pure extract. And whilst it can be a costly process, companies claiming to offer the most pure and potent products will want to go the extra mile to offer this step. Which is why at Vemel we feel this process is crucial – try our Advanced Protective Serum which contains CO2 extracted Organic Amaranth and Organic Sea Buckthorn to reduce signs of aging and contribute to a more supple, toned and radiant complexion. Offering the highest quality ingredients and extracted with the most care to give you the most out of your skincare routine.

Water in Skincare, Really?
To further minimise your exposure to sensitivity and reduce skin reactivity, waterless skincare can make all the difference. We’re often told to drink water in order to have healthy skin, but the same can’t be said when it comes to our skincare formula’s. Rather than adding hydration, water in skincare products can instead dilute the active ingredients, the result of which is us as consumers paying a premium for very little product, and sometimes 90% water! Not only this, but water on the skin can be very drying, which is why after having a shower we find ourselves naturally reaching for some body oil or butter. And with the global water consumption problem we currently find ourselves dealing with, water filled skincare is not high on the priority list. Which is why waterless, potent products, particularly ones which can be multifunctional are even more beneficial for not only our skin health, our finances, but also the state of the earth. All Vemel products are proudly waterless, and many are multi-purpose products too, so you really are getting the most out of a single bottle. Take the Vemel Marigold Nectar Hair and Body Oil for instance, a potent and luxurious oil designed to nourish, hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier, as well as scalp and hair follicles, working wonders as a body oil, pre-wash scalp treatment and a hair oil.

Decoding Ingredient Lists
Ever find yourself reading an ingredient list and still not understanding what the product is actually made up of?
Often brands will go the extra mile with the language used to brush over the reality of the situation. Which is why you’ll probably have seen the terms ‘natural aroma’ or ‘natural perfume’ rather than just ‘fragrance’. Which begs the question – if brands do not have anything to hide, why not list ingredients in simple English terms so consumers can know what they’re applying to their skin without have to decipher a code. Well, the truth is because many ingredients might not actually be good for the skin, and can with prolonged use lead to the sensitivity and reactivity of what once may have been relatively healthy skin. Certified dermatologist Dr Melissa Levin explains the impact when stating “fragrances are known as one of the leading causes of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and can also cause other skin conditions such as irritant contact dermatitis, photo-allergic reaction and phototoxic reaction”. And whilst an allergic reaction, like a burning rash or redness is one of the most commonly found responses to fragrance, FDA regulations define fragrance as ‘a combination of chemicals that gives each perfume it’s distinct scent. Fragrance ingredients may be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials’. Unfortunately the broad naturale of the term natural raw materials means that a product can contain some form of ‘natural raw materials’ whilst still being extremely damaging and sensitising for the skin. Which is why at Vemel we’ve always gone above and beyond to ensure each and every product we create is designed to suit every skin type, even those struggling with very sensitive and reactive skin. Our labels are clear and transparent, our ingredients are  listed in common English names. You’ll never find any added fragrance or essential oils in our skincare, because we believe quite simply that known irritants need no place in our products.

Our founder Agi said it best; “At Vemel we think it’s time for transition, to frown upon the ingredients in your cosmetics”.