If you saw my last video, I had a bad reaction to one of the skincare products in The Detox Market’s Best Of Green Beauty Box 2018.
I thought it would be a perfect time to share my go-to skincare routine for irritated skin, and what I do to heal red, raw and inflamed skin fast.
In general, if you have a sudden bad reaction to a skincare product, depending on the severity of the reaction, your skin can heal relatively quickly (in a few days, or a week or two).
If the irritation has been building up over time, like having a bad reaction to over-exfoliating or using a strong retinol; the healing can take longer (instead of a few days, it can take a few weeks, sometimes months).
So you’ve got to be patient.
And remember, LESS IS MORE!
Many times what stalls the healing isn’t your body’s ability to heal itself, but using the wrong skincare products that makes it worse.
I personally have to restrain myself from trying to treat my skin with too many products. It’s tempting, but it usually back fires and makes it worse. When your skin is irritated or sensitized, it’s not the time to be loading products on, or trying a bunch of new things. Instead you’ve got to be strategic and support the healing of your skin.
Watch today’s video to find out my skincare routine for irritated skin. I go through the products I use, how I use them, and what I don’t use when my skin is sensitized. I also go through a few diet and lifestyle tips to ensure your skin heals as quickly as possible.
My favorite products for sensitive or irritated skin
CLEANSERS
- MARA Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil (gentle and moisturizing cleansing oil to remove makeup and debris. No wash cloth needed, it rinses off with water. Great for all skin types, but especially good for skin that needs extra nourishment or prone to dryness).
- ANNMARIE SKIN CARE Aloe Herb Cleanser (this is a milky gel cleanser, non-foaming, hydrating and thoroughly cleansing. This rinses off clean, leaves no residue on the skin. I especially like how soothing it is, and it leaves my skin feeling clean, never dry or tight).
MOISTURIZERS
- LOA SKIN Botanical Beauty Elixir (this moisturizing oil calms, balances and reduces irritation and redness beautifully. There’s nothing quite like it, and if you are prone to breakouts or acne, this dually works to balance sebum production to keep skin clear. I highly recommend it, especially for skin prone to acne, eczema, rosacea, dermatitis, or chronic sensitivity).
JAO BRAND Face Creme Sensitive Skin (this is the best moisturizer for sensitive or compromised skin. If your skin is feeling thin and weak, prone to irritation and redness; this ceramide-rich gentle moisturizer helps build a strong skin barrier and seals in moisture nicely. It’s lightweight, not oily or greasy, and creates a protective barrier on the skin as it nourishes and hydrates).
INDIE LEE Squalane Facial Oil (this olive-derived squalane oil is lightweight, fast absorbing and instantly softens and replenishes skin. It’s just one ingredient, ultra-gentle for the most sensitive of skin, and gives skin a smooth dewy glow. If you have very dry skin, Squalane Oil is a great moisturizing booster, either mix a few drops with your favorite moisturizer, or layered on top. I even use Squalane Oil to remove eye makeup – so gentle and removes even the toughest waterproof makeup!).
SUNSCREEN
- SUNTEGRITY 5 in 1 Tinted Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30 (this mineral, broad spectrum sunscreen is my favorite. I find zinc oxide to be extremely soothing and balancing. This sunscreen in particular is very hydrating and nourishing, gentle, no fragrance or essential oils, and has a tint to even out skin tone. This can be used as an all-in-one sunscreen and moisturizer, or for dry skin, layered on top of your moisturizer/skincare).
Dry oil cleansing method
In the video I talked about the Dry Oil Cleansing Method and how it’s one of my favourite cleansing methods for dry, irritated, and sensitive skin.
If you want to try it out, I have two videos and blog posts with step-by-step instructions, video demo, product recommendations, and answering a bunch of questions about dry oil cleansing.
