4 simple ways to be KINDER TO YOUR SKIN
calm and soothe skin. Meanwhile, Scientia Ceramide Skin Rescue, £28, cultbeauty.co.uk, contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, fatty acids and lipids to bolster the skin barrier – use a thick layer as an overnight mask if your skin is ultra-dry.
I always reach for Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream, £2.55, Boots, at the onset of a reaction.
Yes it’s a stalwart for nappy rash, but it has now worked its way into my bathroom cabinet as a fail-safe way to treat any skin flare-ups. Only apply at night, as it does leave a white cast to your skin, but it really is a great solution to calm irritation. I also love Murad Intense Recovery Cream, £68, murad.co.uk. It’s pricey but the buttery texture is perfect for redness and peeling, and it quickly soothes a stressedout complexion.
It can also be useful to keep a diary to try and identify any potential triggers.
‘Think about any new skincare products, make-up, perfumes, hair or nail treatments, cleaning products or detergents, as these can all be common culprits,’ advises Dr Thomas. ‘And once identified, avoidance of these triggers is vital, so always check the ingredient list before starting any new products.’
If your skin is often sensitive or reactive, then look at ways you can try
to prevent flare-ups. Here’s some easy ways to do it.
Streamline your routine
If a complicated routine with lots of different ingredients has left your complexion begging for mercy, it’s time to go back to basics. Too many acids, retinoids and peels used all at the same time can upset the balance of your skin’s natural microbiome, stripping it of important bacteria that can protect and nourish. Repair your skin barrier with ceramide and humectant-enriched moisturisers, which help to boost the oil and water levels in your skin barrier. Try Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum, £43, elizabetharden.co.uk, an easy-to-use, biodegradable, daily dose capsule to help get skin back on track.
Gentle cleansing
Cleansing is one of the most important parts of a good skincare routine, but make your mantra ‘less is more’. Forget complicated double- or triple-cleansing routines, which can strip your skin of valuable oils. Squeaky clean is not what you are trying to achieve. ‘Skin needs the
“acid mantle”, the surface acidity of the skin, to be in the range of 4.5-5.5 on the pH scale,’ explains Jane. ‘Foaming washes can push up the skin’s pH to alkaline levels, leaving it exposed and open to environmental ‘dirt’ and bacteria.’ So go for nourishing cleansers, such as an oil, a balm or a cream cleanser, which help keep water in the skin and keep the skin’s pH levels steady. Try Caudalie Cleansing Almond Milk, £15, caudalie.com,
which dissolves dirt and make-up without leaving skin with that tight, uncomfortable feeling.
Add in any new products cautiously
Once you have a simple routine that works, ‘it’s always best to introduce new ingredients one at a time,’ advises Dr Thomas. ‘Go low and slow, applying small amounts of a new formula, building up gradually. For example, apply something new twice weekly for a couple of weeks, then try it alternate nights and then nightly if tolerated.’
Stress less
High levels of the hormone cortisol can trigger sensitive skin issues. ‘Stress can manifest in virtually every part of our body, redirecting blood away from areas such as our skin to other places that need a fightor-flight response,’ explains Jane. ‘The body isn’t focusing on looking after your skin, so going back to basics with your routine is key. Cleanse gently, exfoliate lightly, hydrate frequently, nourish richly and protect.’ And try to relax. Aromatherapy Associates De-stress Candle, £48, aromatherapyassociates.com, is like a s pa-treatment in a j ar. >>