Five full sizes
ESK · Full routine kit
Sensitive Skin Kit
ESK Sensitive Skin Kit · Calming Cleanse, Repair +, Zinc Shade, Gentle Glow and Ultimate A Gold
ESK's complete routine for sensitive, dry or reactive-feeling skin, in five full sizes: Calming Cleanse, Repair +, Zinc Shade, Gentle Glow and Ultimate A Gold. It hydrates, supports the barrier, protects from UV, exfoliates with the gentlest acid class, and adds a retinal slowly, for the look of calmer, more even skin. Suitable for all skin types, including deeper skin tones (Fitzpatrick V to VI). Not for use in pregnancy.
- Repair + and Calming Cleanse: a soap-free cleanse and a ceramide barrier cream, the two steps reactive skin needs most.
- Zinc Shade every morning, labelled SPF15 (zinc oxide 10% with octocrylene and avobenzone, no tint): for everyday light; use SPF30 or higher for holidays and long days outdoors.
- Gentle Glow at night: PHA exfoliation gentle enough that ESK lists it for sensitive skin.
- Ultimate A Gold, introduced slowly: ESK's retinal for the look of texture and uneven tone. Not in pregnancy. Calming Cleanse and Zinc Shade contain essential oils.
Five full sizes, around 3 to 4 months
Calming Cleanse £35, Repair + £69, Zinc Shade £50, Gentle Glow £69 and Ultimate A Gold £83. The kit is the same £306 as buying them separately; what you get is ESK's routine already chosen, in the right order, with nothing in it that reactive skin does not need.
Free UK delivery from £50 · Tracked £3.49 · Dispatched in 1 to 2 working days, then 2 to 4 working days tracked
- Good to know
- Contains retinal (Ultimate A Gold): not for use in pregnancy or when trying to conceive. Calming Cleanse and Zinc Shade contain essential oils; if you react to them, swap Calming Cleanse for Soothe & Melt and ask us about the SPF. Introduce the night products one at a time.
- Stockist
- Melatone Skin Clinic is an authorised ESK stockist. Genuine product with full traceability.
If any step stings or your skin flushes, stop that step, keep the cleanser, Repair + and Zinc Shade going, and message us. During a flare, strip back to those three only. Persistent redness, bumps or stinging is a GP conversation, and a routine sits alongside the plan your GP gives you.
Not sure if this is right for your skin? Message us on WhatsApp or book a skin assessment and we will confirm the right routine first.
A routine for reactive skin, honestly
Most people who reach for it have skin that flushes, stings with most products, or is red across the cheeks and nose, and have been told to keep it simple without being told what that means. This kit is ESK's answer: a soap-free cleanser, a barrier cream, an SPF, the gentlest class of exfoliant and a retinal introduced slowly. Nothing foaming, nothing fragranced except the low-level essential oils in the cleanser and the SPF, no AHA.
What it will not do is treat a skin condition. Redness that is persistent, comes with bumps or stinging, or is getting worse can be rosacea, a medical condition with triggers, flares and prescription options: see your GP first. The honest description of a skincare routine is that it keeps the skin comfortable while that plan does its work.
On deeper skin tones, redness reads as a darker or purplish flush rather than pink and is often missed or mistaken for pigmentation. The same rule applies: a bland, barrier-supporting routine first, actives introduced one at a time, SPF every day, and no product that stings.
Quick facts
- What it is
- A five-product, full-size ESK routine for sensitive, dry or reactive-feeling skin, chosen by ESK.
- Price
- £306.00, the same as the five products separately. Around 3 to 4 months.
- Contents
- Calming Cleanse 150ml, Repair + 50ml, Zinc Shade 50ml, Gentle Glow 50ml, Ultimate A Gold 50ml.
- Best for
- Sensitive, dry and reactive-feeling skin, the look of redness, and skin that has reacted to other routines.
- Skin types
- Suitable for all skin types, per ESK, including sensitive and blemish-prone skin and deeper skin tones (Fitzpatrick V to VI).
- Morning
- Calming Cleanse, Repair +, Zinc Shade.
- Night
- Calming Cleanse, Gentle Glow, Ultimate A Gold. Introduce Gentle Glow, then Ultimate A Gold, one at a time.
- Not for
- Pregnancy or trying to conceive (retinal).
- Free from
- Foaming agents, AHAs, parabens and sulphates. Calming Cleanse and Zinc Shade contain essential oils.
- If you react to essential oils
- Swap Calming Cleanse for Soothe & Melt. Zinc Shade contains them too, so ask us and we will build the kit around you.
The routine, step by step
Morning: Calming Cleanse, then Repair +, then Zinc Shade as the last step, reapplied if you are outdoors.
Night, weeks 1 to 2: Calming Cleanse, then Repair +, with Gentle Glow before it every second night. Weeks 3 to 4: add Ultimate A Gold every second or third night as your night cream, per ESK, on the nights you do not use Gentle Glow. From week 5: Gentle Glow, then Ultimate A Gold nightly if your skin is comfortable, with Repair + underneath if it feels dry.
During a flare: Calming Cleanse, Repair + and Zinc Shade only, until it settles. If redness is the main concern, B Quenched can replace Repair + as the moisturiser: same niacinamide, with hemp seed oil.
The detail
Ingredients, and what each one does
- Calming Cleanse
- A non-foaming, soap-free cream cleanser at pH 4.5 to 5. Contains rose, geranium and lavender oils; Soothe & Melt is the fragrance-free swap.
- Repair +
- Niacinamide 5%, panthenol 1.5%, hyaluronic acid 1.1% and ceramides: the fragrance-free barrier cream, morning and night.
- Zinc Shade
- Broad-spectrum day cream, labelled SPF15 (zinc oxide 10% with octocrylene and avobenzone, no tint): for everyday light; use SPF30 or higher for holidays and long days outdoors. Contains essential oils.
- Gentle Glow
- Gluconolactone 5% and lactobionic acid 5%, the PHA exfoliant ESK lists for sensitive skin, at night.
- Ultimate A Gold
- Retinal 0.1%, niacinamide 5%, lactobionic acid 5% and 4-n-butylresorcinol 0.1%. ESK's retinal in this routine, introduced every second or third night. Tatler Beauty Awards 2026 winner.
Percentages as printed on the ESK packs and published by ESK. Full ingredient lists are on each product's own page. Descriptions are about the look and feel of skin, not a medical outcome.
How to use it
Morning
- Cleanse with Calming Cleanse using lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Smooth 1 to 2 pumps of Repair + over the face and neck.
- Zinc Shade as the last step. Reapply if you are outdoors for long.
Night, building up
Weeks 1 to 2: Calming Cleanse, Repair +, and Gentle Glow every second night. Weeks 3 to 4: add Ultimate A Gold every second or third night, per ESK, on the other nights. From week 5: Gentle Glow, then Ultimate A Gold nightly if comfortable, with Repair + underneath if dry.
During a flare
Cleanser, Repair + and Zinc Shade only. Pause Gentle Glow and Ultimate A Gold until the skin has settled, then reintroduce every second night.
Triggers
Lukewarm water, not hot. No cloths, brushes or scrubs. Heat, alcohol, spicy food and sun are common flare triggers; the routine cannot offset them.
What to expect, and when
- First week
- Skin feels comfortable after cleansing, with less tightness. A slight tingle from Gentle Glow on first use is normal, per ESK.
- 2 to 4 weeks
- Stinging with products eases as the barrier recovers; flushing after washing is less.
- 4 to 8 weeks
- The point to judge the look of redness and texture.
- If redness persists
- A routine keeps skin comfortable; it does not treat the cause. See your GP or book an assessment.
Is it right for my skin
- Sensitive and reactive skin
- Yes. This is who it is chosen for.
- A diagnosed skin condition such as rosacea
- See your GP first. The kit is a cosmetic routine, not a treatment; ask whether it suits the plan they give you.
- Dry skin
- Yes.
- Deeper skin tones (Fitzpatrick V to VI)
- Yes.
- Skin with redness and breakouts
- Yes, per ESK: Gentle Glow and Zinc Shade are non-comedogenic.
- Fragrance-sensitive skin
- Swap Calming Cleanse for Soothe & Melt; ask us.
- A flare right now
- Start with cleanser, Repair + and Zinc Shade only; add the rest once settled.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding or trying to conceive
- No, as a kit. Ultimate A Gold contains retinal; the other four can be used on their own.
Using it with what you already own
- Prescription rosacea treatments (azelaic acid, ivermectin, metronidazole)
- Yes, usually. Prescription first as directed, then the routine over it. Ask your prescriber about Gentle Glow and Ultimate A Gold.
- B Quenched
- Yes, in place of or alongside Repair +, if redness is the main concern.
- Vitamin C
- Not in the kit on purpose. Very reactive skin often does not tolerate a low-pH vitamin C; C Lite is the one to try later, if at all.
- Other acids or retinols
- No. The kit carries one PHA and one retinal.
- In-clinic treatments for redness
- Yes, as the home routine around them, paused as your practitioner advises.
Questions we actually get asked
What is in the ESK Sensitive Skin Kit?
Five full sizes: Calming Cleanse 150ml, Repair + 50ml, Zinc Shade 50ml, Gentle Glow 50ml and Ultimate A Gold 50ml. Together they make ESK's complete morning and night routine for sensitive, dry or reactive-feeling skin, lasting 3 to 4 months.
Does it treat rosacea?
No. Rosacea is a medical condition with prescription treatments, so see your GP about it first. This is a cosmetic routine for sensitive, reactive-feeling skin: it keeps the skin comfortable and leaves out the ingredients that commonly sting, and you can ask your GP whether it suits the plan they give you.
What is a good routine for sensitive, reactive skin?
A short one: a soap-free, non-foaming cleanser with lukewarm water, a fragrance-free barrier moisturiser, a daily SPF the skin tolerates, and, once settled, the gentlest exfoliant class (PHA) and a retinal introduced slowly. No scrubs, no AHAs, no alcohol-heavy toners. That is what this kit is.
Is a retinal suitable for sensitive skin?
ESK includes Ultimate A Gold, a retinal night cream, in this kit. Our position is the practical one: introduce it every second or third night, over Repair + if dry, and stop during a flare. Not every sensitive skin tolerates a retinal, and that is fine.
Can I use it if I also get breakouts?
Yes, per ESK: Gentle Glow and Zinc Shade are non-comedogenic and suit skin that has both redness and blemishes. If breakouts are the bigger concern, ask us about swapping in B Calm.
Is it suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes. It is chosen for it. Calming Cleanse contains low-level essential oils; if you react to them, we can build the kit with Soothe & Melt instead.
Is it suitable for deeper skin tones?
Yes. Every product in the kit is suitable for deeper skin tones (Fitzpatrick V to VI). Redness on deeper skin often shows as a darker flush and is easy to miss; the same routine applies, and irritation avoided is marks avoided.
Can I use it in pregnancy?
Not the whole kit: Ultimate A Gold contains retinal, which is not for use in pregnancy or when trying to conceive. Calming Cleanse, Repair +, Zinc Shade and Gentle Glow can be used on their own; ask your midwife or GP about Gentle Glow.
In what order do I use the products?
Morning: Calming Cleanse, Repair +, Zinc Shade. Night: Calming Cleanse, Gentle Glow, Ultimate A Gold, with Repair + underneath the retinal if your skin is dry. Build the night steps up one at a time.
How do I introduce the retinal?
ESK: if your skin is reactive or new to vitamin A, start every second or third night and build to nightly. Put Repair + on first if the skin feels dry. Pause it during a flare.
What should I do during a flare?
Strip back to Calming Cleanse, Repair + and Zinc Shade. Pause Gentle Glow and Ultimate A Gold. Lukewarm water, no cloths. Avoid heat, alcohol and known triggers, and see your GP if it does not settle.
Does it contain fragrance?
Repair +, Gentle Glow and Ultimate A Gold have no fragrance or essential oils. Calming Cleanse and Zinc Shade contain essential oils, including rose, geranium and lavender, at low levels; Soothe & Melt is the fragrance-free swap for the cleanser.
Can I use it with azelaic acid or prescription creams?
Usually, yes. Apply the prescription as directed, then the routine over it. Ask your prescriber about combining it with Gentle Glow and Ultimate A Gold.
Why is there no vitamin C in the kit?
Because very reactive skin often does not tolerate a low-pH vitamin C, and ESK leaves it out on purpose. C Lite is the one to try later, if at all.
How long does the kit last?
Around 3 to 4 months. Zinc Shade and Calming Cleanse are used most and may run out first; both can be bought separately.
Do I save money with the kit?
No. The kit is £306, the same as the five products separately. What you get is ESK's routine already chosen, in the right order.
What is the difference between the Sensitive Skin Kit and the Pigmentation Kit?
The Pigmentation Kit adds C Forte and Enlighten Gold for the look of dark marks and is not for very sensitive skin. The Sensitive Skin Kit swaps those for Repair + and is the gentler routine. If you have both redness and marks, start here and add Enlighten Gold once settled.
Is Melatone an authorised ESK stockist?
Yes. Melatone Skin Clinic is an authorised ESK stockist. Stock comes directly from ESK, so every item is genuine and traceable, and it is the same routine we use in clinic.
Can someone help me work out whether this is right for me?
Yes. Message us on WhatsApp with a description of your skin, or book a skin assessment at the clinic in Battersea.
What is the delivery and returns position?
Tracked UK delivery is £3.49, or free from £50, so the kit ships free. Dispatched in 1 to 2 working days, then 2 to 4 working days tracked. Sealed, unopened items can be returned within 60 days for a refund.
Buying it from Melatone
Melatone Skin Clinic is an authorised ESK stockist. Stock is bought directly from ESK, so every item is genuine and traceable, and it is the same product we use in clinic in Battersea, London.
Reactive skin is the one place where a wrong product costs the most. If you are not sure this is the right routine, message us on WhatsApp or book a skin assessment, and we will tell you before you buy.
Delivery
Tracked UK delivery, £3.49 or free from £50. Dispatched in 1 to 2 working days, then 2 to 4 working days tracked, with tracking by email. The price you see is the price you pay, with any delivery charge shown in full before checkout.
Returns
Sealed, unopened items may be returned within 60 days of receiving your order for a refund. For hygiene reasons we cannot accept returns of skincare once any seal has been opened, unless faulty. Your statutory 14-day right to cancel is unaffected.
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