I feel so refreshed due to yesterday being a bank holiday. We were celebrating spring and the new awakening. I know that my American friends were celebrating Memorial Day. I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend. For those that didn't get to have a long weekend, really sorry but atleast it is tuesday already! :-)
So spring made me think about my skin. It always reminds me that I want my skin to look as best as possible and not dry/flaky. But one of the other problems that I've recently realised is very common on my skin is slight redness in areas...and I'd like to discuss how to get rid of this horrible red look.
It is so easy to blame the weather, but before we draw any conclusions here are a few other reasons that you might have redness in your skin...
Have you changed your routine?
It could be: sensitivityIrritated skin can appear as an angry rash or just a little mild blotchiness, but is usually caused by an adverse reaction to certain skincare ingredients, medication or even changing your diet. It happens when the delicate acid mantle – the invisible barrier that protects skin – is disturbed. Many anti-ageing formulas contain potent ingredients which don’t suit sensitive types, so swap them for natural products that won’t upset the fragile skin barrier.
Best buys: Nuxe Comforting Cleansing Milk with Rose Petals, £13; Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover, £27.50.
Have you been out in the cold?
It could be: environmental damageHarsh weather can cause chapped, dry skin that feels burned and sometimes very painful according to pharmacists and cosmetologists. Be it UV damage (yes, even in deepest winter) or the assault of sub-zero winds, centrally heated environments make it even harder for the skin to recover its natural balance. Protecting your skin from the elements whilst replacing lost moisture is key.
Best buys: Kiehl’s Cross-Terrain UV-Face Protector SPF 50, £21; BareMinerals Redness Remedy, £22.95.
Are you extra-red after exercise?
Not just the normal post-workout redness, flushing is intense, feels hot, and can extend to your neck and chest. Flushing helps your body release the heat generated by exercise. But it can also be linked to hormonal imbalances, in particular cortisol and adrenaline, which ramp-up blood flow when you’re stressed. Try cutting down on caffeine – which increases cortisol and adrenaline levels – and using natural products to calm and cool your skin.Best buys: S5 Skincare Calm Serum, £44; Skyn Iceland Arctic Face Mist, £25.
Have you had acne?
It could be: post-acne inflammationPatchy areas of pink, inflamed skin which linger, even after your blemish is gone, are what dermatologists call PIP (post-inflammatory pigmentation) and are part of the body’s natural healing process. Don’t pick at them, as every time you do, the skin produces more pigment as a by-product to defend itself. The good news is these marks will eventually fade, as long as there’s no active acne left.
Best buys: Dr Jart+ V7 VitaLaser 2.1, £32; Murad Blemish Treatment Concealer, £19.
Have you been overindulging?
It could be: rosaceaRosacea is a common chronic inflammatory condition that’s considered a type of adult-onset acne. Symptoms include frequent blushing, visible blood vessels and tiny red bumps, accompanied by a burning or tingling feeling. Nobody knows the cause, but experts think it may be down to a combination of factors such as genes, hormones and even tiny microorganisms living in the skin.
Best buys: Solgar Evening Primrose Oil, £12.50 for 30 softgels (victoriahealth.com); Darphin Intral Redness Relief Recovery Cream, £40.
These products could certainly sort out those problems and being mindful of what could cause the redness too.
Hope you have a wonderful day,
