I started Harborist in 2017 as a customer – one with sensitive, allergy and acne-prone skin. It's a skin type that also affects my mum and my children.

Harborist was born out of frustration that the skincare products I enjoyed using were often the riskiest for my skin type, while the best were bland and utilitarian.

We've all been there - you apply a new cleanser or moisturiser, and your skin feels great. But after a few days, it starts to look dull, or it feels uncomfortable. Your skin barrier is struggling; something about the new product isn't working.

This isn't a small problem; a 2014 study of over 12,000 people revealed 31% had experienced a reaction to a skincare product in the past year.¹

So, is it our skin that's playing up, or our skincare?

I'm obsessed with unpicking why some skincare products cause stinging, a rough texture, or discomfort, while others leave even the most tricky skin completely unstressed.

The best part is that using the right, gentle products can transform your skin in a simple way; by helping your skin function better, it'll look and feel better at the same time.

If your skin is reactive, choosing the right skincare might feel like roulette.

We're using a new testing technology to shine a light on sensitive skin claims, starting with our cleanser.

A simple graphic shows you exactly how mild our cleanser is - no more digging through ingredient lists.

The beauty is that gentleness is powerful; it's the ultimate skincare ingredient.

Kate