Simple Strategies to Calm Sensitive Skin and Reduce Inflammation
When I introduced the Calming Collection to my skin care line, I had no idea it would be so popular. We now sell more products formulated to super sensitive and reactive skin than those created for “anti-aging,” historically the most popular skin care category.
The struggle of sensitive skin is real and seems to be getting worse. So, what causes it and can it be truly healed?
Our skin has a lot to contend with. It has to interact with what is going on inside our body and what's happening in our outside world. Our skin is a major organ of elimination for our body and today our food, water and air are more polluted than ever, putting great stress on the skin and other organs such as our liver and kidneys. It's no wonder that our skin is burdened and struggling.
Sensitivities can be caused by a multitude of issues, from internal imbalances and deficiencies, genetics and illness to external topical reactions and the products we use. Identifying the root cause of your sensitive skin can be valuable into helping it to heal but it's possible to make huge improvements with a few simple changes.
Sensitive skin is a broad term and can refer to someone whose skin cannot tolerate certain irritants such as artificial fragrances and harsh surfactants to someone that has a diagnosable condition such as eczema or rosacea. I refer to these more serious conditions as “highly reactive.”
Whatever the cause there are some simple strategies we can use to calm any inflammation and then begin to heal skin, helping to create a more robust skin surface to ease any discomfort and minimize future reactions. Here are my top things to try:
1. Simplify your skin care.
Reduce the number of products you use. This includes all face and body care products. Our skin has to process everything we put on it, and that takes work. I believe our body loves to heal itself, but if it's so busy processing all the products in our bathroom cupboard it has no capacity to do so.
2. Stop using anything that foams on your face.
This means soaps and foaming cleansers. Foaming agents are the wrong pH for your skin. They will disrupt your skin's protective layer, the acid mantle, which is vital for healthy supple skin. I recommend cleansing with a gentle oil such as jojoba.
3. Detox all the products in your home.
This includes air fresheners, laundry detergent and scented candles. So many home and body care products are filled with irritating ingredients, even products marketed to sensitive skin contain petroleum bases, artificial fragrances (did you know “unscented” is a fragrance?) and parabens. All these ingredients can cause and always irritate sensitive skin.
4. Heal your gut.
Gut health and skin health go hand in hand. Try cutting out inflammatory foods such as sugar, processed dairy and junk foods and eating more fermented and probiotic foods.**
5. Supplements can help.
When my eczema was bad taking essential fatty acids, in the form of hemp and flax seed oils, made a huge difference. They calmed my skin and moisturized from the inside. Many of my customers report the same.**
**Always do your research before making drastic changes to your diet or taking supplements.
I suffered with chronic eczema on my hands, up my arms and across my neck, for nearly 10 years. It had a major impact on my daily life. I spent many years believing that I would be suffering with it for life, but my skin healed and is now healthy and robust. I want everyone to know that your skin can heal, it can be healthier and stronger.
Clean, non-toxic and non-irritating products are now easier than ever to find, so making the switch needn't be difficult or expensive. Why not make it a fun journey of exploration and your skin will reap the benefits.
