Red, hot AND bothered. Believe it or not, most Skin Sensitivity is normal. Your skin is a living, breathing organ and not unlike the rest of your body, can have strong reactions to harsh chemicals, treatments, temperature changes and so much more! And while some with chronically sensitive skin have grown used to babying their skin by avoiding anything that might cause their skin to react badly, those that don’t typically experience facial redness, tenderness and irritation might not know how to handle it.
When sensitivity occurs, you should always be prepared to treat it quickly! Your approach should always be gentle and soothing, similar to how you would take care of a newborn baby’s delicate skin. And babying your skin doesn’t have to be ultra expensive either! There are several ways to calm down red and angry skin without breaking the bank. Listed ahead are 5 creative ways to combat sudden skin sensitivity:
- A cooling facial mist- this has been a beauty industry staple for years! With an ultra fine mist of anti-oxidant enriched water, this is a guaranteed way to immediately soothe and calm down ultra irritated skin.
Pro Tip: One of my personal favorite facial mists is from French skincare brand, Avene. Their Eau Thermale Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray is amazing!
- Milk Compresses-to soothe irritated skin after waxing treatments, try a gentle compress of milk, water and ice. Mix equal parts of each and use a cloth dipped in the mixture to apply to the reddened areas for five minutes. Repeat this until the redness or burning sensation has eased. This technique is great because the skin after it has been freshly waxed can be extremely painful (and even more painful if welts develop) and the combination of the cooling water and ice will decrease redness, pain and inflammation while the milk will aid in the skin’s overall recovery process.
- Cooling Sheet Masks-this awesome skincare trend was first noticed by beauty bloggers traveling to Seoul, South Korea (FYI, some of the biggest beauty product trends in the world have come out of Seoul such as: sheet masks, BB Creams and cushion compact foundations). If you want to try out a sheet mask that is both great for cooling and soothing irritated skin, I suggest brands like Tony Moly. Their green tea and aloe sheet masks are easy to use and uber cheap! If you are willing to spend a bit more on your skincare products, I’d suggest trying ones from brands like Tatcha, Dr. Jart and Shiseido. And if you REALLY feel like splurging, check out the sheet masks from Japanese brand, SK-II. But, be prepared because SK-II products typically come with a hefty price tag!
- Facial Oil– Specialty oils are a fantastic way to both soothe and calm irritated skin while nourishing it at the same time. Make sure to look for ones that are both Hypoallergenic and contain ingredients that are meant to treat sensitive skin. The popular beauty brand Weleda makes a fantastic facial oil that contains Organic Almond Oil and loads of Vitamin C to help repair damage to your skin. Click Here
- DIY Oatmeal Mask- If you are into all natural beauty products or just don’t feel like spending a ton of money, I suggest creating your own skin treatment masks at home! Most recipes are pretty simple to make and also really affective. For an instant skin soothing DIY mask, try mixing ground oats with some honey and water. Oats are a natural anti- inflammatory and honey contains loads of rich antioxidants that both moisturize and calm skin while also being antibacterial. This makes this mask great for both sensitive skins types as well as those who suffer from acne. Directions: Take 1/2 Cup of plain, finely ground oats (choose whole oats only if you want to exfoliate your skin) and follow the normal cooking instructions. Next, let the oatmeal cool and then add a teaspoon of honey to the mixture. Add in a little bit of water if it feels too pasty or thick. Apply it to your face, leave on for 10-15 minutes and then wash off with cold water to shrink your pores.
