In the skincare world, there are few duos more iconic than a damaged skin barrier and red, sensitized skin. When your skin’s barrier is compromised, your skin becomes more vulnerable to all kinds of allergens and irritants. Adding insult to injury, a damaged barrier allows skin to dehydrate faster, causing a duller, rougher, and often more aged appearance.

Plenty of products exist to address sensitized skin or damaged barriers. Some claim to target both. We wanted to tackle these problems together too—Shark Sauce style.

Holy Snails fans know that the niacinamide and n-acetylglucosamine in all our Shark Sauce and Sauce Du Mois serums work synergistically to fight dark spots and hyperpigmentation, for brighter, more even skin. But did you know that these ingredients can benefit a damaged barrier and dehydrated skin too? Niacinamide plays a role in stimulating increased ceramide production in the skin barrier. N-acetylglucosamine helps improve hyaluronic acid synthesis, for more hydrated skin. Even licorice root extract, which we usually emphasize for its brightening effects, can benefit sensitized skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Thanks to these ingredients, our flagship Shark Sauce formula already serves as an effective foundation for a truly barrier-restoring, irritation-calming new Sauce Du Mois. To amp up the soothing and reparative effects, we added Centella asiatica extract, Madecassoside, and plant-derived Ceramides Complex.

Centella asiatica is arguably the most recognizable of Tiger Shark’s star ingredients. Colloquially called “tiger grass,” but also known as Gotu kola, Indian pennywort, and Asiatic pennywort (among other names), this herb has long been used for medicinal purposes in several cultures. Rich in antioxidants, amino acids, fatty acids, and other bioactive compounds, its anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties are a match made in heaven for weakened and sensitized skin.

Speaking of bioactive compounds found in Centella asiatica, we turned up the calming and reparative powers of Tiger Shark by adding Madecassoside, one of the best known derivatives of Centella asiatica. Research has demonstrated that Madecassoside works well with niacinamide to reduce redness and inflammation as well as boost moisture levels in skin.

Finally, all this soothing won’t do much if a weakened barrier continues to let more irritants in. So we fortified Tiger Shark with our plant-derived Ceramides Complex. Research has shown that a specific ratio of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids can more effective penetrate the skin barrier, repairing damage and improving barrier function. A stronger barrier means better defense against harmful external substances and particles as well as more hydrated, healthy skin from within.

And as a bonus, the niacinamide, n-acetylglucosamine, and licorice root extract that make Shark Sauce so beloved as a gentle brightening serum still contribute their brightening powers here! So if your skin is in need of calming and repair, but you also want to lighten dark spots and even out your overall skin tone, grab a bottle of Tiger Shark—it’s out now!