SENSITIVE, REACTIVE AND ALLERGY-PRONE SKIN
IS ON THE RISE
Over 60% of people now say their skin suffers from prickling, itching, tightness, redness and stinging on a regular basis.
Urban life can exacerbate skin sensitivity: Pollution and grimy residues adhere to skin and induce micro-inflammation.
Cleansing can also make symptoms worse: Instinctively we try to rid skin of irritating impurities by giving it a thorough scrub with cleansers, hot water, and wash cloths. But when it comes to cleansing, "thorough" is often synonymous with "harsh".
WHY YOUR FACE WASH FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
MIGHT TRIGGER REACTIONS
Traditional cleansing products may contain harsh ingredients that can strip skin of vital lipids, leaving it vulnerable not only to pollution, pollen, and dust, but also to contaminants in tap water and even to irritating preservatives and potential “nasties” in daily care products.
If you use a wash-off cleanser – even a face wash for sensitive skin – you could still experience reactions like stinging, tightness and skin redness because tap water can be an aggressor for skin.
For sensitive, reactive and allergy-prone skin, cleansing can therefore trigger a vicious cycle of reaction and discomfort.
We asked Dr. Philippe Beaulieu to explain more and share his insights regarding the best cleansing routine for sensitive and allergy-prone skin.
DR. BEAULIEU, WHY DO SOME FACIAL CLEANSERS LEAVE SKIN FEELING DRY, TIGHT, AND UNCOMFORTABLE? SIGNS OF DANDRUFF
“Many rinse-off facial cleansers are packed with harsh surfactants that strip absolutely everything off your skin's surface. Hard water compounds the issue by causing further irritation.”
ARE NON-RINSE CLEANSERS A SAFER OPTION THAN TRADITIONAL FACE WASHES?
“In a word, yes. The face cleansers I recommend are skin-type-specific micellar waters. They are non-rinse, so you don't risk irritation from contaminants in tap water. Micelles gently lift off make-up, dirt, and pollution, while leaving your skin's own sebum, squalene, and other lipids intact. This means you can effectively purify your skin but avoid that tight feeling. They really do strike just the right balance.”
ARE ALL MICELLAR WATERS
GOOD FOR MY SKIN?
“Not all micellar waters are created equal. To ensure tolerance, you want as pure a formula as possible, particularly for sensitive skin, reactive and allergy-prone skin types. Have a good look at the bottle and check it's tested on sensitive to allergy-prone skin.”
WHAT MAKES A MICELLAR WATER
GENTLE YET EFFECTIVE?
“Effective facial cleansers should contain micelles: They lift off every trace of dirt and make-up – including microscopic pollution particles – but leave skin's defences intact. Glycerine is another important ingredient to look for as it enhances the cleanser's ability to remove impurities. Plus it hydrates as you cleanse, and helps smooth the cotton pad's glide over your skin which avoids irritating friction.
Some micellar cleansers also contain antioxidant thermal spa waters, proven to calm skin inflammation and soothe symptoms of sensitivity.
When it comes to facial cleansing the goal is to combine absolute safety with effective removal of irritant impurities, and to leave skin smoothed and comfortable.”
THE BEST CLEANSING ROUTINE
FOR SENSITIVE TO ALLERGY-PRONE SKIN?
Follow our 1-2-3 expert guide
A cleansing routine is essential, and not only for those who wear makeup. Yes, it is important to dissolve makeup, but it’s also vital to remove irritating particles, pollution, and grime that accumulate throughout the day.
Morning and evening, these 3 simple steps will help leave your skin in its comfort zone:
1. Choose the right cleanser for sensitive to allergy-prone skin
Your best options for sensitive to allergy-prone skin are non-rinse options like micellar waters that will remove every trace of make-up, excess sebum and pollution without the need to rinse with hard water. If you have particularly allergy-prone skin, La Roche-Posay recommends TOLERIANE Dermo Cleanser, an ultra-gentle milk cleanser that cleanses thoroughly but knows what to leave behind.
2. Mist with Thermal Spring Water
A miracle in a spray can, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water is naturally soothing and anti-oxidant. It will calm any reactions before they appear with a delightfully cooling sensation. Mist on liberally after your cleanse.
3. Comfort your sensitive to allergy-prone skin with soothing skincare
If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to source an intensely soothing barrier cream specifically created with no extraneous ingredients. La Roche-Posay recommends TOLERIANE Sensitive which restores skin’s lipid barrier while boosting its invisible living barrier, the microbiome. If you have allergy-prone skin, your go-to option is TOLERIANE Ultra which has been tested on the most sensitive to allergy-prone skin types and is recommended by dermatologists all over the world to avoid allergy-prone skin reactions.
PHYSIOLOGICAL CLEANSERS FOR SENSITIVE, REACTIVE AND ALLERGY-PRONE SKIN
- MICELLAR WATER Ultra Sensitive Skin is used in La Roche-Posay's Thermal Spa Centre in corrective make-up workshops for women with scarring from burns, surgery, or cancer treatment. It is especially suited to people with atopic skin or sensitive eyes, as well as contact lens wearers.
- MICELLAR WATER Ultra Reactive Skin is perfect for skin that reacts with prickling burning and redness – skin is purified, soothed and protected.
- MICELLAR WATER Gel Sensitive Skin glides on with no greasy residue, for gentle make-up removal without rubbing. It leaves your face feeling fresh and smooth.
- MICELLAR FOAMING WATER Sensitive Skin captures impurities on the skin and lifts them away. It gently cleanses and softens the skin with minimal friction. Be sure to mist on La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water to remove hard water residues after you rinse.
- For the most allergy-prone skin, TOLERIANE Dermo Cleanser is an extremely gently milk that cleanses skin of pollution and allergens while respecting its precious surface lipids. Perfect for people whose skin seems to react to any cleanser they try with redness, itching and reactions.
Each of these cleansers maintain skin’s physiological pH balance and preserve the hydrolipidic film that ensures your skin stays hydrated. With the exception of the foam, these formulas don’t need to be rinsed off, so your epidermis won't come into contact with potentially drying and irritating tap water.
Each one of these high tolerance products is enriched with La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water. Sourced on unspoiled land, it has proven soothing and anti-oxidant properties and is recognised in the medical community for its positive effects on many different skin conditions. It's even approved for use on small children, so ingredients don't come much safer.
Discover cleansing products that work in harmony with sensitive and reactive skin.
For a complete skincare routine for sensitive skin, try looking HERE.
