Our Skin Blog
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.
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!
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.
Our chemist explains: How to read a cosmetic product ingredient list, i.e. the inci
Deciphering ingredient lists on cosmetic products can be like reading a book in a foreign language: impossible to understand the plot, but you may recognise a word or two. Keep reading for our chemist Jaana's tips on how to read ingredient lists, also known as INCIs - or why you maybe shouldn’t even bother trying!
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.
Laponie Skin Stories: Jaana & Atopic skin
Atopic dermatitis, atopy, is one of the most common skin diseases in the Nordic countries and finding efficient but gentle skincare products is often a challenge. Here, our customer Jaana shares her story about sensitive skin and atopy, and how she has gotten help from Laponie's products.
Sensitive and problem skin x Winter: go for layers!
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!
Meet our chemist Jaana
Cosmetic chemist Jaana Ailus is Head of R&D at Laponie of Scandinavia and the one in charge of product development in our laboratory in Otaniemi, Finland. We talked to her about getting into cosmetics chemistry, about the most interesting parts of her job and also about the challenges of creating simple, yet effective skincare.
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 10 simple products with which to create your own simple routine for sensitive and problem skin. Read on for how to do it!
How to choose the right serum for sensitive and problem skin
Our serums are real multifunctional superheroes for sensitive and problem skin. They’ll sort you out gently and without irritation, whether it’s breakouts, congestion, redness, scars, pigmentation, dullness or uneven skin tone. Read on for more!
Ingredients: Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol, how we of sensitive and problem skin provenance love thee! If you’re as nuts about skincare and ingredients as we are, you are bound to have heard about bakuchiol and how it tackles pigmentation, fine linesand congestion and impurities – without irritation. Small wonder we stuck it in our new Brightening Treatment. Read on for more bakuchiol greatness!
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!
Ingredients: Glycine soja seed extract
If you’re a skincare geek, like we are, you’ll know that an emulsion will always require an emulsifier, to enable mixing water and oil into an emulsion. The tricky part, though, when dealing with sensitive and problem skin, is that emulsifiers are surfactants, and surfactants can be hell on finicky faces. So imagine how stoked we were when we found the non-ionic (e.g. gentle) soy-based lysophospholipid emulsifier we use in the Hydrating Face Mask and Brightening Treatment! Read on for more INCI porn.
13 ways to use our 2-in-1 Hydrating Face Mask & Cream
Our light but nourishing 2-in-1 Hydrating Face Mask & Cream gives sensitive and problem skin an intensive hydrating kick. We’ve packed it with vegan and plant-based ingredients specifically selected to pamper sensitive and reactive skin, leaving it feeling hydrated, nourished, and soft. As with so many of our other products, the Mask is a skincare multitasker – use it as you would a traditional face mask, as a richer moisturiser or even as body care to spot treat rough patches. Read on for our favourite ways to use the Mask.
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!
7 ways to use our re-usable face pads
Did you know that our gentle and extremely soft re-usable face pads can be used to cleanse your face even when you don’t have access to running water? Did you also know that these pads are suitable for every skin type but were specifically designed for sensitive and problem skin? Keep reading to get the most out of your re-usable face pads!
Sensitive and problem skin summer dos and don'ts
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!
Top DIY sensitive and problem skin face masks with our Gel Cleanser
Face masks are a great way to spot-treat sensitive and problem skin and DIY masks are a handy way to try out different types of masks. For this, our gently purifying Gel Cleanser is a great mask base - it deep cleanses without drying and leaves skin hydrated and soft. Read on to try our refreshing, calming, renewing, purifying, soothing, energising and anti-inflammatory masks.
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.
Ingredients: Giant kelp extract
Giant kelp extract from the Macrystis pyrifera kelp is a legendary skincare ingredient with top notch smoothing and hydrating properties. We tailor make our extract in France, so as to get the ratio between solvent and kelp the way we want. Read on!
Ingredients: Propanediol
It hydrates, dissolves, penetrates (sorry) and boosts preservative effect. Without any further ado, let us present propanediol, the glycol to end them all. And yes, it's plant-based, vegan and non-irritatating. Read on!
How to choose skincare for acne-prone skin
Finding suitable skincare products for acne 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.
Ingredients: Argan oil
Argan oil, or argania spinosa kernel oil, functions as an emollient and skin conditioning ingredient in skincare.
10 ways to use our Face Cream
Sometimes your skin needs a drink and a hug. Our hydrating and nourishing, gel-cream-textured Face Cream gives it both. It’s packed with skin-pampering superstars in a light but moisturising base without added fragrance, making it ideal for all kinds of sensitive and problem skin. Here we share our favourite ways to use the Cream.
9 ways to use our Face Oil
One of the most important cornerstones of skin care is proper hydration, and in order for skin to also retain moisture it is vital to use an oil-based product. For this, a face oil is the perfect choice. A face oil nourishes and protects skin, and helps lock in the moisture by slowing down water-loss. For us, our own vegan, plant-based and fragrance-free Face Oil is skin's best friend, with ingredients chosen specifically for dry and oil sensitive and problem skin. Check out 9 ways (at least) for how to use it!
Laponie skin stories: Iida & Adult acne
Laponie was created to tackle our founder Kristina's sensitive and problem skin issues, and our mission is to help you sort out your skin. We asked our customers to tell us their stories, and how our products have helped them. Here's Iida's story about how our products helped her deal with adult acne (and POD).
Minimalistic skincare and minimalistic skincare routines
We at Laponie believe that less is more when it comes to skincare, and especially when dealing with sensitive and problem skin. For us, minimalist skincare means a few, combinable and multifunctional products with a minimum of ingredients and simple packaging.
Laponie skin stories: Emily & Extremely dry skin
Laponie was created to tackle our founder Kristina's sensitive and problem skin issues, and our mission is to help you sort out your skin. We asked our customers to tell us their stories, and how our products have helped them. Here's Emily's story about how our products helped her deal with sandpaper dry skin.
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.
Laponie skin stories: Viivi & Reactive skin
Laponie was created to tackle our founder Kristina's sensitive and problem skin issues, and our mission is to help you sort out your skin. We asked our customers to tell us their stories, and how our products have helped them. Here's Viivi's story about battling highly reactive skin.
Laponie skin stories: Päivi & POD
Laponie was created to tackle our founder Kristina's sensitive and problem skin issues, and our mission is to help you sort out your skin. We asked our customers to tell us their stories, and how our products have helped them. Here's Päivi's skin story about perioral dermatitis, POD, and how our our products helped Päivi get her skin back.
Laponie skin stories: Hanna & Acne
Laponie was created to tackle our founder Kristina's sensitive and problem skin issues, and our mission is to help you sort out your skin. We asked our customers to tell us their stories, and how our products have helped them. Here's Hanna's skin story about acne and how our Clarifying Treatment helped lessen inflammation.
11 ways to use our Balancing Essence Mist
Our Balancing Essence Mist is the ultimate treatment essence spray to balance, hydrate, soothe and condition sensitive and problem skin with multitasking, natural ectoin, smoothing sea kelp and calming liquorice root. It´s a true multitasker - read on for our 11 tips on how to use it to tackle dryness, irritation and redness the easy way.
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.
Meet our founder & CEO Kristina
Kristina Pentti is the founder and CEO of Laponie of Scandinavia. Here, she shares her story of an almost lifelong struggle with skin issues and the road to healthy skin, and how it all lead to the creation of Laponie.
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.
Ingredients: PCA salts in skincare
PCA salts are the salt forms of L-Pyrrolidone Carboxylic acid or L-PCA and are amino acid derivatives.
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.
The "No Cream Set": Our Face Toner and Face Oil are best friends
Our Face Toner and Face Oil are best friends. First balance and prep, then care and nourish. Not a fan of creams? A couple of pumps of toner under a few drops of oil does the trick. Or just mix the two together in the palm of your hand for one step hydration and nourishment. Perfect when you're sensitive to emollients, and also great if you want to avoid preservatives, as the Oil is formulated without any.
A story about POD
When you're struggling with skin issues, it's easy to feel like you’re the only person in the world with that specific problem. We want to remind you that you’re not alone! In a new series, we’re sharing the stories of people who have struggled with skin issues and survived. Today, we’re sharing the story of Laopnie user and POD-sufferer Catta.
How to use our Complete Routine for Sensitive & Problem Skin
Our Full Routine for Sensitive & Problem Skin is made up of our six Core products, which are simple cornerstones for every skin day. Use them for a full routine, combine them for different needs or use them together with your other favourite products. The Core products are formulated around three basic skincare steps: cleanse, hydrate and care.
Meet vegan cosmetics blogger Rabbit Glow
Finnish Eeva runs popular vegan cosmetics blog Rabbit Glow, which shines the light on vegan cosmetics and shares vegan beauty tips with readers. A dedicated vegan and advocate for animals' rights, Eeva is a pioneer in the Finnish vegan beauty blogosphere. We caught up with her to talk vegan cosmetics, product must haves and how an interest in vegan beauty has evolved into a much-loved hobby.
Ingredients: Rhamnose
What brings that soothing punch to our Calming Treatment? A cocktail of three: madecassoside, ectoin and last, but not least, something called rhamnose. Let’s take a look at what rhamnose is and why it’s wonderful for battling irritated and inflamed skin – while decreasing fine lines.
Ingredients: Thickeners in cosmetics - a short guide
Generally, thickeners can be divided into water-based and oil-based ones.
Ingredients: Algae-derived silica
Silica has been used in cosmetics for a long time, as an absorbing agent and a mattifier. It’s found in in sandstone, clay and granite, plants and animals, but the one we use in our Clarifying Treatment is derived from the silica shells of a Swedish micro-algal group called diatoms and comes with one major additional benefit: cleansing and hydration in one go. Suffice to say it's great for sensitive and problem skin.
Ingredients: Madecassoside
Tigers are said to roll in it to heal their wounds, so what’s not to like? The Centellla asiatica plant, also known as Gotu Kola or Tiger Grass, is a perennial favourite in traditional Eastern medicine. It packs a powerful soothing, healing and hydrating skincare punch, and none so more than one of its main molecules, madecassoside.
Which cosmetics ingredients are safe?
Which cosmetic ingredients are safe? There's a lot of talk about “clean” and “non-toxic” ingredients in skincare, and we receive a lot of questions on what is safe to use. Which cosmetic ingredients are safe? Here our chemist Jaana runs you through the basics of ingredient safety.
The story of Laponie's packaging artwork
The abstract elements on our packaging come from a unique piece of art, created for us by the talented Aino-Maija Metsola, a Helsinki-based illustrator and designer. With a particular interest in colour, Aino-Maija creates bold but subtle images using a diverse selection of techniques, from water colour to ink, markers and gouache. Read on to get the inside story of how Aino-Maija created our look.
Ingredients: Rosehip oil
Rose hip oil is a plant oil which is extracted from the seeds of the fruits of different types of wild rose bushes (Rosa Canina, Rosa moschata or Rosa rubiginosa).
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.
Welcome to the Laponie lab
If you take the metro West from central Helsinki, you’ll eventually reach Otaniemi. Here’s where Laponie’s lab is located. It’s a delightfully retro space, where our chemist Jaana and founder Kristina work their magic. Every Laponie product is developed right here, in our own lab. For a skincare start-up having an in-house lab is quite rare. However, we always knew we needed and wanted ours. Why?
Ingredients: Glycerine - the queen of humectants
Glycerine is one of the most common ingredients in skincare, and is used in pretty much all kinds of products. Here our chemist Jaana breaks down what it is, what it does and why it's such a great and versatile material.
Laponie logistics partner Logitrail
For any web shop, good logistics are essential. Please meet our stellar Finnish logistics partner Logitrail, who have a soft spot for sustainability and focus heavily on re-using materials, recycling and carbon-neutral transport. Read on for Logitrail COO Jaakko Vikman's thoughts on sustainability and working with Laponie
Sulfates in skincare
Sulfates, specifically SLS, in skincare receive a lot of negative attention. Here our chemist Jaana breaks down what they are, for what they are used and whether sensitive and problem skins should be concerned.
Ingredients: Our top calming skincare ingredients
Ectoin Ectoin is a powerful, small, multi-tasking and natural stress-protection molecule, a so-called extremolyte.
How to choose the right face cleanser
It all starts with a good cleanse. Choosing the right cleanser is key in caring for sensitive and problem skin. Some days your skin needs a good but gentle cleanse, other days it needs a deep cleanse that doesn’t strip your skin. Or maybe you prefer to double cleanse. Our Cleansers can be used separately or together, depending on your skin day and how you like to cleanse.
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!
Laponie x Fazer Mills
The oat oil we use in our Face Oil, Face Cream and All-around Balm is sourced from Fazer, a Finnish family-owned, 128-year-old food and food service company, who produce their oat oil using Finnish oats. We spoke to Markku Mikola, head of R&D at Fazer Mills Finland, to dig deeper into oats and their skin and health benefits.
Party prep for sensitive & problem skin
It's not always easy to go glam when your skin reacts to everything and anything. That's why put together a quick guide to party prepping using our products. Check out our best prep tips in our blog!
Ingredients: Betaine
Betaine maintains the skin's moisture balance and strengthens the skin barrier even under very dry (environmental) conditions.
Q&A with our chemist Jaana
Last week we did an Instagram Q&A session with our head of R&D, chemist Jaana Ailus.
Microplastics in cosmetics Q&A
Microplastics are synthetic polymer particles smaller than 5 millimeters that resist (bio)degradation. The legislative definition of microplastics is currently under debate, and it is yet unclear which cosmetic ingredients will fall under the definition. In skincare, microplastics are typically used as skinfeel enhancers, thickeners and stabilisers or in the case of microbeads, to add mechanical exfoliating properties to the product. Our chemist Jaana fills you in.
There is no such thing as a chemical free skincare product
If you can touch a skincare product, it's all chemicals. Our chemist Jaana explains why there is no such thing as chemical-free and why chemicals aren't dangerous.
Ingredients: Liquorice root
Liquorice root extract improves the appearance of dry or damaged skin by reducing flaking and restoring suppleness, and possesses anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ingredients: What is a humectant?
Hydrating ingredients are used in cosmetic products to keep the product from drying out and to increase moisture content in skin.
How to recycle our packaging
Our packaging philosophy is fairly simple - we prioritise practical design and recyclable materials. That's why we opt for aluminium and glass, with a minimum of plastic, for materials.
Ingredients: Sidestreams
Put shortly, the term sidestream means something that is created as a by-product in the manufacturing process.
Update your skincare routine for fall
It's time to update your skincare routine for fall. The weather is changing and so should your skincare routine. The windier, 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 Rebel 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.
Ingredients: Preservatives in skincare
WHY ARE PRESERVATIVES USED IN SKINCARE? Water is the basis of all life and the perfect growth medium for micro-organisms.
Ingredients: Raspberry seed oil
With a high content of linoleic and alpha linolenic acids, raspberry seed oil is thought to have excellent anti-inflammatory properties and may alleviate skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.
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.
Ingredient: Xylitol
In skincare, xylitol is used as a humectant, meaning it has the ability to bind moisture in skin.
How we source our ingredients
All Laponie of Scandinavia products are developed in our own lab in Espoo, Finland. Having an in-house lab allows for us to manage and control the entire R&D process from the very beginning, including the sourcing and testing of raw materials.
How we pack our products
Our packaging philosophy is fairly simple - we prioritise practical design and recyclable materials. That's why we for 10/11 products opt for 100 ml or less when it comes to size, and aluminium and glass, with a minimum of plastic, for materials.
13 ways to use our All-Around Balm
Sometimes you want a product that does it all. Our award winning All-Around Balm tries its best – with an almost matte finish. Formulated for sensitive and problem skin without any fragrance, it's a staple when skin acts up. Like all our products it's vegan and plant-based, with a minimum of ingredients.
Ingredients: Oat kernel oil
Oat kernel oil in itself has a slightly thick consistency yet leaves a light and silky.
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!
Ingredients: Bisabolol
It's a colorless viscous oil that is the main constituent of German chamomile essential oil.
Ingredients: Fatty alcohols and their use in skincare
We'll say it again: fatty alcohols are not the be confused with alcohol, e.
Wedding glow for sensitive and problem skin
We at Laponie adore weddings and multifunctional, versatile skincare products, so what’s better than combining these two! Presenting: our best tips for sensitive and problem skinned brides (and grooms) on their big day. Keep reading for our fave easy beauty tips!
Ingredients: Ectoin
With it's soothing and hydrating properties, ectoin is one of our favourite multi-tasking ingredients for sensitive and problem skin. Read on to learn more about it and in which products we use it.
Ingredients: Poppy seed oil
Poppy seed oil is a virgin plant oil containing sterols and Vitamin E, and with a high linoleic acid content.
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
Creating the Laponie logo: meet Emelie Cheng
Our logo is the work of talented graphic designer Emelie Cheng. We talked to her about how the logo came to life, the symbolism in the Laponie of Scandinavia logo and how it interprets our no-nonsense approach to skincare.