Does your face feel tight after your commute, uncomfortable in a heated office or more easily irritated by products you once enjoyed? When your skin starts reacting differently, it can be difficult to know what to change.
Our surroundings are often part of the picture, and from traffic pollution to dry indoor air, modern life exposes your skin to a changing mix of conditions. Understanding these everyday pressures can help you build a gentler urban skin care routine that supports hydration and comfort, helping you manage sensitive skin.
We have been making organic skin care in the UK since 1997, and we formulate our products with sensitive skin in mind. There is no drying alcohol or artificial fragrances to dry out or irritate your skin, so your complexion feels calm, balanced and comfortable – just what urban skin needs to stay resilient.
At glance
- Urban skin is affected by environmental pressures like pollution, central heating and air conditioning
- Pollution can disrupt your skin barrier, leading to moisture loss and increased reactivity
- Scent Free Ultra-Calm Serum uses Northern Truffle to help soothe sensations of heat and stinging
- A fragrance-free routine with Scent Free Truffle Night Cream provides essential moisture barrier support
- Reducing exfoliation and using broad-spectrum SPF are key steps for city-dwellers
These recommendations are designed to support sensitive skin exposed to city environments.
Understanding urban skin
Urban skin describes skin exposed to the environmental pressures associated with modern living. It is not a medical diagnosis or a separate skin type, and you do not have to live in a city to encounter these pressures.
A busy road, a centrally heated home or an air-conditioned workplace can all form part of your skin’s daily environment. For sensitive skin, the combination of these factors often matters more than any single trigger.
Can pollution make skin more sensitive?
Research suggests that air pollution can affect the skin’s protective barrier. This outer layer helps retain moisture and provides a defence against the outside world. When its function is disrupted, skin may become drier and more easily irritated.
In one study, urban taxi drivers exposed to heavier traffic pollution had greater water loss through their skin than rural drivers, alongside lower measures of antioxidant defence. Another study, combining human observations with laboratory experiments, found that fine particulate pollution could affect proteins involved in maintaining the skin barrier. [1,2]
These findings help explain why barrier care is relevant to pollution-exposed skin. They do not mean that pollution is responsible for every flare-up or that everyone living in a city will develop sensitive skin.
Why does my skin feel more reactive than before?
Sensitive skin is complex. A large British survey found a range of reported triggers, including cold and windy weather, with no single pattern explaining everyone’s symptoms. [3] Your own skin may respond differently from someone else’s, even when you share the same surroundings.
Changes in temperature and dry air from heating or air conditioning can leave some people feeling uncomfortable. Stress can also aggravate certain skin conditions. Meanwhile, frequent scrubbing or exfoliating can add irritation, particularly when skin already feels unsettled. [4–6]
Although sensitive skin is widely reported, the evidence does not establish that urban pollution alone is driving an increase.
The more useful question is which everyday factors may be contributing to your skin’s discomfort now. If your routine used to work but now leaves you feeling tight or red, it might be time to switch to a fragrance-free skin care routine that prioritises calming ingredients.
How Northern Truffle fits into urban skin care
When skin feels reactive, soothing care and support for its moisture barrier are useful places to start. Northern Truffle, listed in our formulas as Albatrellus Confluens Extract, is a mushroom extract used in our Scent Free Ultra-Calm Serum and Scent Free Truffle Night Cream.
Research on the ingredient includes laboratory work on TRPV1, a receptor involved in sensations such as heat, stinging and burning [7]. This makes it an interesting ingredient for city-dwellers whose skin often feels over-stimulated by the environment.
We choose ingredients like Northern Truffle because they work with your skin’s natural rhythm to provide a sense of instant comfort when your environment feels anything but calm.
- Charlotte Vøhtz, Founder of Green People
Our Scent Free Truffle Night Cream also contains Ceramide NP and Hemp Seed Oil. These ingredients bring deep nourishment to a fragrance-free routine, helping your skin recover while you sleep [8].
Nachtcreme mit Schafporling ohne Duftstoffe 50ml
Beruhigen, lindern und regenerieren Sie Ihre Haut mit dieser Ceramid- und Trüffel-Nachtcreme€45,95
★★★★★
“This night dream was found in a search for a fragrance free, soothing night cream. Did not expect this to beat out all other brands I’ve tried. It’s gorgeous.”
Sarah O · Verified Buyer
Reviewing: Scent Free Truffle Night Cream 50ml
See this product now →A gentle evening urban skin care routine
Cleanse gently
Use a gentle cleanser, such as our Scent Free Cleanser, to remove make-up and the day’s surface build-up. Use lukewarm water and your fingertips, avoiding vigorous rubbing, as your skin does not need to be stripped to be clean.
Cleanser ohne Duftstoffe 150ml
Dieser parfümfreie Reinigungshonig ist ein Muss für empfindliche Haut!€39,95
★★★★★
“I have now tried one of every single item in the scent-free range and can say I'm utterly staggered at how happy my skin is! Usually I would have to slather on a ton of moisturiser after washing, as my skin would become immediately tight and painful. I use a pea-sized amount now, and no longer have to use hand cream after washing my hands as their hand wash leaves my skin supple and comfortable. Incredible range, wonderful company. Will be a repeat customer for the rest of my life. xxx”
Alison H · Verified Buyer
Reviewing: Scent Free Cleanser 150ml
See this product now →Soothe with Ultra-Calm Serum
Apply our Scent Free Ultra-Calm Serum for hydrating, soothing care. This COSMOS Organic certified serum with Northern Truffle is a natural focus for any routine built around long-term skin comfort.
Duftfreies Ultra-Calm Serum 50ml
Beruhigen Sie Rötungen und schenken Sie der Haut neues Wohlbefinden mit diesem parfümfreien Serum€39,95
★★★★★
“I have no dry patches no redness anymore and NOT ONE SPOT I'm actually walking around with no makeup on and not worrying! I can't believe the difference in two weeks I'm so relieved to have found this company and felt I needed to write a review as someone who has tried everything and this has worked so well!”
Rachael G · Verified Buyer
Reviewing: Scent Free Face & Neck Serum 50ml
See this product now →Follow with Scent Free Truffle Night Cream
After your serum, apply Scent Free Truffle Night Cream to moisturise, comfort and soften. Its ceramide-rich formula complements the serum, ideal for when skin feels dry or tight. Its velvety texture absorbs quickly, leaving your face supple and hydrated without any tackiness.
You can also keep things simpler and use this face cream alone if that suits your skin.
€45,95
Nachtcreme mit Schafporling ohne Duftstoffe 50ml
Beruhigen, lindern und regenerieren Sie Ihre Haut mit dieser Ceramid- und Trüffel-Nachtcreme
Add facial oil for extra nourishment
For skin that still feels dry, gently press a small amount of Scent Free Marine Facial Oil over your moisturiser. Formulated with Squalane and Jojoba Oil, it helps lock in moisture and protects your skin from the drying effects of city air.
Meeres-Gesichtsöl ohne Duftstoffe 28 ml
Pflegen Sie Ihre Haut und verleihen Sie ihr eine natürliche Ausstrahlung mit diesem parfümfreien Gesichtsöl für empfindliche Haut€43,95
★★★★★
“Amazing product which provides long lasting hydration and brightens the skin. I use on top of the age defy vitamin c serum as part of my evening routine, my skin had never looked and felt so good!”
Harneet M · Verified Buyer
Reviewing: Nordic Roots Marine Facial Oil 28ml
See this product now →Small urban skin care changes that can help
Pause scrubs and reduce exfoliation if your skin is irritated. In the morning, always include broad-spectrum SPF30 or higher in your urban skin care routine to protect against UV damage, which can exacerbate sensitivity.
Sonnencreme ohne Duftstoffe für das Gesicht - LSF30 50 ml
Schützen und hydratisieren Sie Ihre Haut mit diesem LSF-Gesichtsschutz. Ideal für trockene oder sensible Haut.€39,95
If burning, redness or itching persists, seek advice from a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist. For more advice on managing reactive skin, you may find our guide to ingredients for sensitive skin helpful.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I cleanse my skin if I live in a city?
You should cleanse morning and evening. In the evening, it is particularly important to use a gentle formula like our Scent Free Cleanser to remove the day's accumulation of pollution and SPF without stripping your natural skin barrier.
Can I use facial oil every day?
Yes, you can use a fragrance-free oil like our Scent Free Marine Facial Oil daily. It is best applied over your moisturiser to seal in hydration, especially during winter or when spending time in air-conditioned offices.
Is Northern Truffle safe for very sensitive skin?
Northern Truffle is specifically chosen for its soothing properties. It helps to calm the skin's response to external stressors, making it ideal for those prone to redness or stinging.
Why does my skin feel dry even after moisturising?
Environmental factors like central heating strip moisture from the air and your skin. Try layering a serum under your cream or adding a few drops of facial oil to provide a more robust moisture barrier.
We hope you have learnt more about urban skin care and understanding how to care for sensitive skin in the city. If you need any more help or advice, our friendly UK customer care team are happy to help on 01403 740350 or on social @GreenPeopleUK.
MEET CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People's Choice in the 2023 list of Who's Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible Naturally Gorgeous. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to 'Urban skin care: best products for sensitive skin and city living.' Please do not use an affiliate link.
[2] Kim et al. Particulate matter causes skin barrier dysfunction. JCI Insight, 2021.
[4] American Academy of Dermatology. How to safely exfoliate at home.
[5] American Academy of Dermatology. Six skin and hair conditions linked to stress.
[6] American Academy of Dermatology. Face washing 101.
[7] RAHN. DEFENSIL-SOFT ingredient research and mechanism. Supplier evidence.
