Calm Your Complexion

Posted: Thursday 14 April 2011 11:31am

Stressed out, sensitised skin? It may not necessarily be that you are a sensitive skin type.

It could simply be that your skin has become sensitive due to a compromised lipid barrier, due to overzealous cleansing or exfoliating or, indeed, using too-harsh ingredients too frequently. This can then cause skin to dehydrate and become even more vulnerable to environmental aggressors.

In turn, this can trigger or inflame conditions such as eczema, hives, dermatitis, psoriasis and even rosacea, so it pays to get a handle on any sensitivity swiftly.

Stop using anything with overly active ingredients, such as AHAs, BHAs or vitamin A. Whilst these are indeed fantastic anti-ageing ingredients, they can often make sensitised skin more reactive.

Look instead to calmer, soothing ingredients in your skin care, such as the herb feverfew, an ingredient that is related to the chamomile flower and is highly reputed for its nurturing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Sensitised skin also requires protection against UV rays, as the heat and light can inflame any associated issues, too. Use a product with at least SPF15 daily.

Try Aveeno Active Naturals Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturiser, RRP $24.99, which contains an organically farmed version of the resilient feverfew flower, and has a broad spectrum SPF of15.

Apply twice daily to cleansed skin – but remember not to over-cleanse. “Squeaky” clean means you’ve overdone it, and have stripped away the lipids the skin needs to protect itself!

Within a week or so of continued use you should notice reduces redness and stinging, less blotchiness and dry, itchy skin should feel less taut. With repeated use, expect your skin to become radiant, supple and restored.

For optimum results, start and finish the day with:

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser – 180ml, $13.99, or Aveeno Ultra-Calming Moisturising Cream Cleanser – 141g – $13.99,  a gentle, soap-free, creamy cleanser, enriched with skin moisturisers for dry and sensitive skin.

by Jenni Gilbert

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