Our Skin Blog

How to take care of aging, sensitive skin - our guide
First of all: it's a privilege to get older. The signs of aging are signs of life lived and nobody should feel bad or ashamed about, for example, wrinkles. That being said, taking care of more mature skin has its own quirks and specifics and we're here today to give you some ideas on what you might want to do with your routine.

Laponie has been granted the Allergy Label!
Something for all of you fellow sensitive and problem skinned friends out there: we’ve been granted the Finnish Allergy, Skin and Asthma Federation's Allergy Label! Read on for why the Allergy Label matters to us – and to you.

Part 3/3: Protect skin from pollution - our routine
Anti-pollution is a current, worldwide and growing trend in cosmetics. This trend is a consequence of the growth of awareness concerning the harmfulness of air pollutants to the skin. The cosmetic approach to skin problems caused by air pollutants is topical products with varying active ingredients meant to prevent damage pollutants cause in skin. At the moment there is no internationally regulated or standardised test which could back up a products anti-pollution claims. In this final part of our blog series of three we'll take a look at how and with what ingredients to protect skin from the effect of pollutants.

Part 2/3: Air pollutants cause skin issues
As skin is one of the interfaces between our body and its surrounding environment, it's a major target for air pollutants. Each pollutant affects skin differently. The most usual effects are the propensity for skin dieases, signs of premature aging and pigmentation changes. In the second part of our blog series of three, we take a more thorough look at the different ways air pollutants can affect skin.

Part 1/3: What are air pollutants and how do they affect skin?
Air pollution is a growing concern around the world and one of today's biggest health risks. Our skin is our largest organ, and a direct target for the harmful effects of different air borne pollutants. Research on the effects of air pollution on skin health is fairly new, which is why scientific data on the long-term effects of pollutants on skin is minimal. Nonetheless, air pollution has been found to have a possible link to numerous known skin issues. The first part of our blog series of three on pollution and skin takes a look at what air pollutants are and how they might affect skin.

Sensitive and problem skin routine update: Spring
For those of us who deal with tricky skin, the changing seasons often require updating our skincare routines. The switch from winter to spring is, in our opinion, the least tricky one, but nonetheless we have some favorite tips and tricks for sensitive and problem skin going into slightly warmer temperatures and more light.

How to repair a damaged skin barrier?
We, as sensitive and problem skinned individuals, are rather familiar with the feeling of having an impaired skin barrier. Skin going cray-cray isn’t exclusive for us with temperamental skin though, and it can happen to anyone at any given time. How to tell if you’re dealing with an out of whack barrier? How to restore it? Keep reading to find out!

Sensitive and problem skin routine update: Winter
When dressing for cold weather, you layer your clothes, starting with light and thin closest to the body and the work your way up to heavier garments. The same goes for skincare - start with the lightest products and layer on products with a heavier consistency. This is especially useful for sensitive and problem skin when cold weather hits. Read more!

How to build your own skincare routine for sensitive and problem skin
For us, skincare doesn’t have to be complicated, but it has to work. This means we don’t make products that claim to do a million things, only what they promise. In our repertoire you’ll find 12 simple products with which to create your own simple routine for sensitive and problem skin. Read on for how to do it!

Dr Schröder: Atopic dermatitis 101
Atopic eczema is a chronic skin disease which is very common especially in the Northern countries. Dermatology specialist and MD Marika Schröder talks us through the root causes, how to treat atopic skin and what to consider in skincare. Read more!

Dr Schröder: Seborrheic dermatitis 101
Is your skin oily and flaky at the same time? Chances are you've been hit with seborrheic dermatitis. We sat down with dermatologist Marika Schröder to hear more about what seb derm is, how to treat it and what to consider in terms of skincare. Read on!
Sensitive and problem skin routine update: Summer
Those of us who battle sensitive, problem and reactive skin know the impact of weather. Be it warm, cold, windy, humid or dry, the elements often play a role in how our skins look and feel. We sat down with experienced etshetician and trainer Jessica to hear more about how summer in particular affects finicky faces. Read more!

Sunscreen ABC for sensitive and problem skin
Summer is upon us - and so are those equally lovely and pesky rays of light. For sensitive and problem skin, finding the right sunscreen can be a challenge. Here, experienced esthetician and trainer Jessica from Helsinki-based beauty salon Kuulas, our head of R&D, cosmetic chemist Jaana, and our intern Joel (who knows more about skincare than anyone we've ever met) share their insights and tips on protecting summer skin.

Skincare myths: Toners
Let's talk toners. Some swear by them, others avoid them like the plague. There are many misconceptions about toners in skincare, so we asked our chemist Jaana to break down three common myths. Read on to find out more about what toners do for your skin, what they contain and whether they really are necessary for your skin.

How to choose skincare for acne-prone skin
Finding suitable skincare products for acne-prone skin can be a hassle - we know. Both our founder Kristina and chemist Jaana have dealt with a variety of acne, including cystic acne, and we at Laponie are on a mission to help you deal with caring for all types of problem skin, including acne. Here's our take on choosing products and going it gentle.

Nutritional therapist Sonia: 5 sensitive & problem skin foods to avoid
Proper diet and eating right is one of the absolute cornerstones of healthy skin. Conversely, avoiding certain foods can also support the well-being of especially sensitive and problem skin. We asked Sonia, nutritionist at Nordic Nutrionist, what foods to potentially avoid when your skin is sensitive or when struggling with e.g. acne, rosacea and POD.

Dr Schröder: Perioral dermatitis (POD) 101
Red spots around your mouth, nose and eyes - but they don't respond to acne treatments? Skin feeling sore and hot - but heavy creams only make it worse? We sat down with dermatology specialist and MD Marika Schröder to get the 101 on perioral dermatitis, or POD, a common but relatively unknown skin disease.

Dr Schröder: Rosacea 101
What is rosacea? Our founder Kristina has an on/off relationship with rosacea, so we jumped at the chance to get the 101 on this common skin disease affecting girls, boys, women and men of various ages. Here, MD and dermatology specialist Marika Schröder guides us through the what and why of rosacea.

Dr Schröder: Acne 101
What is acne? Both our chemist Jaana and founder Kristina battled acne in their teenage years and also in adulthood, so we jumped at the chance to get the 101 on this common skin diseases affecting girls, boys, women and men of various ages. Here, MD and dermatology specialist Marika Schröder guides us through the what and why of acne.

Nutritional therapist Sonia's 5 foods for healthy skin
Especially during winter many of us struggle with dry and irritated skin, and there are days when no amount of creams or oils seem to get the job done. Rather than just add some more topical care, it’s a great idea to care for tight and tired skin from the inside as well, with the right kind of food. Read on for nutritional therapist Sonia's take on how to eat for healthy skin.

What is the skin's acid mantle?
The skin's acid mantle is a very thin, slightly acidic film on the surface of human skin containing beneficial microorganisms. It works as a protective barrier against bacteria and viruses. The skin’s acid mantle is there to protect the body’s largest organ, your skin.

Dr Schröder: Sensitive skin 101
At Laponie, all our products are formulated for sensitive skin. In practice this means we spend a huge amount of time researching and testing ingredients, and then slap the products we develop on our own sensitive-skinned faces. But what does sensitive skin mean from a medical point of view? We sat down with MD and dermatology specialist Marika Schröder to find out.

Skincare myths: Face oil
There are many myths about oil in skincare. Our head of R&D, cosmetic chemist Jaana guides you through some common ones and sheds light on why oil is your friend: the right oil won't clog your pores and make your skin oily, and will work very well under makeup. Read on to learn more!

Sensitive and problem skin routine update: Fall
It's time to update your skincare routine for fall. The weather is changing and so should your skincare routine. The windier, slightly cooler weather your skin gets exposed to in the fall calls for some extra care. We caught up with seasoned skin therapist Jessica Delst at Kuulas Helsinki and asked her what happens in the skin when the temperature drops and how we should adjust our skincare routines as the season changes.

What is the skin’s microbiome?
The microbiome in general is the genetic material of all the microbes, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses, that live on and inside the human body. But what is the skin microbiome? Our chemist Jaana breaks it down for you.

The balance between hydration and oil in skincare
We often get asked what a basic skincare routine should look like. For us, it consists of three steps – cleanse, hydrate and finally care. This means a routine with products that (after cleansing) contain both humectants and oils. Read on for more!

Sensitive and problem skin ABC
Caring for sensitive skin and problem skin can be a daunting task - we know. That's why we put together a simple ABC to get you started.

Why are fragrance-free products more gentle on skin?
Fragrances, be they natural or synthetic, contain some of the most potent allergens around. As a result, a fragrance free skincare product, i.e. a product that lacks ingredients that are classified as fragrances, may have a lower risk for allergy and irritation. Our chemist Jaana explains