We know that calming sensitive skin is never a quick fix. But we also know that some formulas and ingredients are better placed to bring instant relief to skin under stress.
So we created Partners in Calm. A simple, two-step solution for sensitive skin, featuring the products Pai customers re-order the most. Two omega-rich formulas that quickly soothe unsettled skin, so it can reset and begin to rebuild.
What's inside?
When skin is in flux it doesn't just need cooling calm (though that is much appreciated). It also needs high-performance formulas packed with the right nutrients to restore and support the skin's defensive barrier. Which in turn helps prevent future flare-ups.
And that's exactly what Partners in Calm's cleanser and moisturiser duo delivers in spades.
Middlemist Seven™ Gentle Cream Cleanser
Our first ever cleanser, and for loyal customers who experience highly sensitive, reactive skin, their absolute number one. This gentle, hydrating cream cleanser is fuelled by omega-rich Camellia and Rose Otto oils. It manages to do what most cleansers can't: lift away makeup and daily dirt without stripping the skin's protective oils or leaving it feeling tight.
The secret? Zero surfactants. While most cleansers (even 'gentle' ones) use detergents that can disrupt your skin's natural balance, Middlemist Seven uses plant oils to dissolve impurities. The camellia oil contains over 87% unsaturated fatty acids that actually nourish your skin during the cleanse. Result: skin that feels softer after cleansing than before.
Twin Flyer™ Dual-Effect Face Cloth
Made from 100% organic cotton, our innovative face cloth brings together the skin benefits of both a soft flannel and an exfoliating muslin. We spent 12 months developing this cloth specifically for sensitive skin.
Remove your Middlemist Seven™ cleanser with the super-soft terry side to keep skin feeling calm and cared for. The textured muslin side provides gentle exfoliation when your skin can handle it. The best bit? It can be washed with your laundry and used again and again.
The Anthemis™ Chamomile & Rosehip Soothing Moisturiser
For anyone looking to restore peace to irritated skin, this light and silky face cream should be your first port of call. Powered by chamomile and rosehip, it's our bestselling moisturiser for good reason.
What makes it special? The chamomile is CO2-extracted, not steam-distilled. This preserves compounds like matricin (chamomile's most potent anti-inflammatory) that are destroyed by heat. Clinical studies have shown German chamomile extract matches hydrocortisone for calming inflamed skin, without the side effects.
Proven to bring instant comfort and calm*, while keeping skin moisturised for up to 24 hours**, The Anthemis™ quickly soothes flare-ups and dryness. It reduces the appearance of redness and reinforces the barrier to build resilience long term. Consider it your daily essential for reactive skin.
A note on essential oils
Both products contain small amounts of essential oils for their therapeutic benefits. Rose otto in the cleanser; lavender and geranium in the moisturiser. We use minimal concentrations and both formulas have passed 96-hour patch testing on eczema-prone skin. But if your skin is actively flaring or you know you react to essential oils, patch test first or explore our essential oil-free options like Century Flower™.
How to use your duo
Your cleanser and moisturiser can be used both morning and evening. At night, you might like to add serums, boosters or a face oil alongside your cream to feed skin any extra active ingredients it needs and seal in hydration overnight.
But first, you cleanse. Gently massage Middlemist Seven™ into dry skin across your face and neck. Then dampen the Twin Flyer™ Cloth to remove. If you're wearing particularly heavy makeup or SPF, you might like to repeat this process. For a thorough evening cleanse, try our double-cleanse method.
Then add moisture. Massage 1–2 pumps of The Anthemis™ into clean, dry skin on your face and neck. Our founder Sarah also likes to spritz Century Flower™, our hydrating barrier defence face mist, onto her skin between every skincare step. It locks in extra moisture (and calm) while helping each product penetrate deeper.
Building your complete calming routine
While Partners in Calm forms the foundation of your sensitive skin routine, you might want to add targeted treatments as your skin allows. For extra barrier support, layer our Instant Kalmer™ ceramide serum before The Anthemis™. If dryness is a concern, Back To Life™ hydration serum delivers an extra moisture boost.
In the morning, always finish with sunscreen. Our British Summer Time™ SPF 30 provides mineral protection without the chalky finish or irritation that sensitive skin often experiences with chemical filters.
Ready to experience this calming couple for yourself? Or perhaps gift it to someone whose skin needs a little TLC? You can shop our Partners in Calm set now.
*Based on a four week independent consumer trial on 112 subjects with sensitive skin
**Based on a 24 hour clinical study on 20 subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Partners in Calm set and what does it include?
Partners in Calm is a two-step skincare set designed to soothe sensitive, reactive skin. It pairs Middlemist Seven Gentle Cream Cleanser with The Anthemis Soothing Moisturiser, the two products Pai customers re-order the most, along with a Dual-Sided Muslin Cloth for gentle removal.
Why does this set focus on just a cleanser and moisturiser rather than a full routine?
When skin is in flux, simplicity matters. A cleanser that doesn't strip the barrier plus a moisturiser that calms inflammation and locks in hydration covers the two most critical steps. You can layer serums, boosters and oils alongside them at night, but these two omega-rich formulas are the foundation that helps skin reset and rebuild.
How does Middlemist Seven cleanse without stripping sensitive skin?
Middlemist Seven is 100% detergent-free. Instead of surfactants, it uses omega-rich Camellia and Rose Otto oils to dissolve makeup and daily dirt, then you remove everything with the dampened cloth. Because no surfactant molecules are involved, your skin's protective lipid layer stays intact, so there's no tightness or dryness afterwards.
What clinical evidence supports The Anthemis Soothing Moisturiser?
In an independent consumer trial on 112 women with sensitive skin, 84% said skin felt instantly soothed after first use and 80% said it visibly reduced the appearance of redness after 28 days. A separate 24-hour clinical study on 20 subjects confirmed it provides measurable moisturisation for up to 24 hours and supports the skin barrier.
How does Century Flower fit into this routine?
Pai founder Sarah recommends spritzing Century Flower Barrier Defence Mist between every skincare step to lock in extra moisture and calm. It's clinically proven to strengthen barrier function and reduce flare-ups, and its deep sea minerals in free ion form reach the dermal microvasculature in 23 minutes to support barrier rebuilding from within.
