Sensitive Skin - Common Q&A - The Skin Care Clinic

There are lots of things that you can do to reduce the stress your skin is experiencing. Sensitive Skin is often a problem when our body is under pressure. Start out by using chemical-free skin care and avoid perfumed/fragranced products. Often our skin doesn’t react well to these when our body is run down.

Use a lactic acid or enzyme-based gentle cleanser twice daily to start your skin care routine on the right track. Add nourishing antioxidant serums such as Vitamin B and Growth Factors to your skin care until it calms down and start introducing active ingredients (especially Retinol) to your skin one at time and increase strength slowly. Ensure there is a SPF in your daily routine, sensitive skin doesn’t need to add the stimulating effects of penetrating UV rays or their damaging longer term sun damage.

Sleep is always important, and when your body is showing signs of irritation, have a look at the stress in your life, see if you can improve your exercise and sleep vs stress ratio. It’s also important to eat plenty of nutrient rich food, and drink lots of water, while reducing irritants such as smoking/caffeine and sugars.

Add a certified organic probiotic into your daily diet. Often 3-6 months of adding superfoods will see a huge improvement in your skin. Skin is our largest organ, it needs taking care of from the inside out. Even if you consider your diet is great, these can be very helpful.

Lately I have sensitive skin. Everything I apply irritates it, or makes me red. Why is this happening and how can I get it back to normal?

Louise | NSW | age 34

Sensitive Skin that is easily irritated and reddened is often caused by a build up of chemicals in the body and/or on the skin. It may be associated with sun damage, rosacea or simply with it being winter – it could be genetic or it could be caused from the use of harsh, dehydrating products recently or in your past. Often it has snuck up on you, from years of not really caring for your skin, or yourself and then suddenly your skin becomes unbearable and you have to act.

Skin Care: a simple routine to reverse your sensitivity.

Only ever use one pump of any product.

Morning

Cleanser – CosMedix Elite Gentle Clean
Antioxidants – Osmosis MD Replenish OR CosMedix Affirm and Osmosis MD Clear spray
Soothe redness – Aspect Dr Redless
Moisturiser – Aspect SMC
Sun-protection – CosMedix Hydrate+

Evening

Cleanser – CosMedix Elite Gentle Clean
Vitamin A – Osmosis MD Calm (start after 2-4 weeks and use every 2nd night initially)
Soothe redness – Aspect Dr Redless
Moisturiser – Aspect SMC or if very dry or sore CosMedix Rescue Balm
Mask 2 x per week – Aspect Probiotic Sleep Mask

Remember to apply your moisturiser and serums when your skin is damp as this assists with penetration.

Once you notice your skin returning to its normal condition, use Osmosis MD Calm every evening and continue to feed your skin the antioxidants and hydration it needs. By adding in a fortnightly salon treatment, such as Lactic Peels, you’ll be giving your skin an added boost of hydration and preparing your skin for better penetration of your home care.