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HOW to CHOOSE the RIGHT PRODUCTS and DAILY ROUTINE
THE expert’s
GUIDE to SENSITIVE
skincare
As far as relationships go, I’m in a pretty loving one with my skin. I’m kind
to it. I buy it nice things. I try my best to keep it protected, hydrated and
nourished. But, occasionally, that relationship can feel a bit one-sided.
I give, give, give. And how does my skin repay me? By breaking out
into an impromptu sea of redness whenever the wind changes.
Having sensitive skin can be unpredictable, to say the least. It’s
difficult to find logic in the ingredients it will or won’t like, which can
certainly keep me on my toes. And with harsh environmental factors
irritating our skin more than ever before, it’s becoming increasingly
common to suffer from sensitivity – even if only occasionally.
So how do you deal with skin that has a temperament that’s as
calm as a rush-hour tube journey? You can start by choosing a range of
products especially designed for sensitive skin, such as dermatologist
recommended brand La Roche-Posay. After that, it’s all about mastering
your routine and not overdoing it. We asked skincare specialist Debbie
Thomas to help shed some light.KEEP IT CONSISTENT
A strict routine is key when it comes to dealing with sensitive skin. Less
is more, so it’s important not to overload the skin with products as it will
be more prone to irritation and unpleasant reactions. A streamlined
skincare routine is definitely the way forward.
‘People’s individual sensitivities can be triggered by lots of things,
so it is personal,’ says Debbie. ‘However,
I do find that any type of perfume, fragrance
or essential oil is very risky for normal and
sensitive skin alike.’ It’s important to go for
skincare that is dermatologically tested and
contains no added fragrances or essential
oils, so as not to cause redness.
‘Using the correct products will
definitely help, and consistency is great
for the skin,’ Debbie adds. In the spirit ofELLE.COM/UK September 2O19ELLEPromotionstreamlining your regime, narrow down your serums and stick to just
one in the morning and one in the evening.
A vitamin C-based serum, such as La Roche-Posay’s Pure Vitamin C10
Serum, is a good one to start your skincare routine with in the morning.
Not only will it help to brighten your face, leaving you with a more even
skin tone, its antioxidant properties will also help to protect against
the environmental aggressors that your complexion may have to face
throughout the day. External factors such as pollution, UV and infrared
rays can inflame sensitive skin and cause it to act up. So it’s important to
protect the natural barrier function before you head out of the door, to
ensure that these environmental aggressors don’t cause harm.GO EASY ON FLARE-UPS
If you’re a sensitive-skin sufferer, a flare-up every now and again is
inevitable. With any unwanted reactions, Debbie advises that it’s
important to take care. ‘Be gentle with the skin and strip back to basics
for a couple of days. If it’s rash-like, you could talk to a chemist about
taking an antihistamine. But a quick fix is applying a cold (not freezing)
compress. A cloth dipped in cold water and held against the area for a
few minutes could help reduce the irritation.’
If you’re keen to try a new product, one trick is to always test it on
a small patch of skin first. If it does react, then at least you’ve contained
the situation within a small area. If there’s no reaction, you can drench
your face in it without the worry of any
prickly pimples appearing overnight.WATCH WHAT YOU EAT
As the saying goes, beauty starts from
within – so, if you’re having skin troubles,
start to examine exactly what you’re
putting into your body on a daily basis.
Debbie says: ‘Every person has their own
allergies or food intolerances. Keep a note“Go for skincare that
is dermatologically
tested and contains no
added fragrances or
essential oils,so as not
to cause irritation”