KATHLEEN PEARA SKINCARE FOR LIFE
The Calming Science Behind Modern Skin Comfort
In the world of sensitive skincare, two ingredients have transformed how we soothe irritation and strengthen the skin’s resilience: Defensil®-Soft and Defensil®-Plus. Both were developed by RAHN – a Swiss-based, internationally respected cosmetic actives company known for marrying nature and biotechnology to create high-performance skincare ingredients.
These two actives are at the heart of many modern “skin comfort” formulations, especially for reactive, stressed, inflamed, and barrier-weakened skin — including my own Sensi-Skin Collection, where they help “whisper calm” back into delicate skin.
What is DEFENSIL®-SOFT?
Created by:
RAHN Cosmetics (Switzerland) – experts in plant-based actives for sensitive and stressed skin.
Key Actives:
- Microalgae Extract (Red Algae – Porphyridium cruentum)
- Vitamin B3 / Niacinamide
Basic Science:
Defensil®-Soft is a neuro-soothing active. It works on the TRPV1 pain receptor, the same receptor responsible for sensations of burning, stinging, and tingling. When stressed skin is triggered — heat, wind, over-exfoliation, harsh actives, or barrier disruption — TRPV1 fires rapidly, causing discomfort.
Defensil®-Soft reduces the sensitivity of this receptor, helping skin feel calmer, less reactive, and more comfortable.
Benefits in Skincare:
- Instantly reduces stinging, itch, and heat sensations
- Calms irritation from retinoids, acids, or environmental exposure
- Enhances the skin’s comfort threshold
- Supports barrier function
- Reduces redness over time
- Ideal for rosacea-prone, reactive, or over-processed skin
What is DEFENSIL®-PLUS?
Created by:
RAHN Cosmetics (Switzerland) – based on a botanical “rescue” complex.
Key Actives:
A synergistic blend of three botanicals:
- Balloon Vine Extract (Cardiospermum halicacabum) – nature’s “phytosteroid”
- Echium Oil – rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
- Sunflower Oil Concentrate – high in phytosterols and ceramide-like molecules
Basic Science:
Defensil®-Plus works on the inflammatory cascade by modulating cytokines and strengthening the skin barrier.
The combination creates a “botanical corticosteroid-like” effect — soothing inflammation without the side effects of steroids.
Benefits in Skincare:
- Reduces chronic and acute inflammation
- Calms redness, irritation, and swelling
- Supports barrier repair and resilience
- Reduces flare-ups from eczema-prone or reactive skin
- Ideal for post-laser, post-peel, and post-procedure recovery
- Helps skin tolerate other active ingredients more comfortably
Why These Ingredients Are Loved in Modern Formulations
Defensil®-Soft and Defensil®-Plus work beautifully together because:
Defensil®-Soft
→ reduces the sensory triggers of discomfort.
Defensil®-Plus
→ reduces the inflammatory reaction and rebuilds the barrier.
Together they create a powerful duo in formulations for:
- Sensitive & reactive skin
- Rosacea tendencies
- Over-exfoliated or barrier-damaged skin
- Seasonal dryness
- Skin experiencing heat, wind burn, or environmental stress
- Professional aftercare (LED, lasers, micro-needling, enzyme exfoliation)
Who Formulated Them?
Both ingredients were developed by:
RAHN AG (Zurich, Switzerland)
A global leader in cosmetic actives known for combining phytochemistry, biotechnology, and dermatological research to create high-efficacy ingredients with clinical data.
Their actives are used by:
- Dermatology brands
- Spa & esthetic formulations
- Sensitive-skin focused lines
- Post-procedure care products
- Premium natural-meets-science skincare
How I Use Them In Skincare (Kathleen Peara Perspective)
In the Sensi-Skin Collection, these ingredients play a central role in my formulations because they:
- Bring immediate comfort to fragile, delicate skin
- Help strengthen the barrier over time
- Reduce redness and reactivity
- Allow skin to accept other beneficial actives without triggering inflammation
For many of my clients — especially those with reactive skin or long histories of sensitivity — these actives feel like “a sigh of relief” the moment they touch the skin.