The Rebuild

PT 2 — the rebuild! go back to the basics; overcomplicated routines are just asking for trouble - keep it simple for effective & nurturing skincare. get rid of products with astringents, like alcohol and witch hazel. avoid foaming cleansers, which strip natural moisture. cutting back on physical exfoliation – so many people use brushes and cleansing cloths that are too harsh for their skin-type and developing problems as a consequence; stick to acid exfoliation and do not overdue it! as always with sensitive skin issues, reading the labels of your products is a must to make sure you’re getting the building blocks you need. Niacinamide is a great ingredient to try – it boosts ceramide production, thereby improving lipid barrier function. cleanse with tepid water - hot water will only strip the skin; showers and baths should not be overly hot in general. avoid harsh itching/ rubbing too, as this can damage the skin’s surface even further. It’s not just about building the barrier up, you also need the ingredients that will minimise any incoming stressors to look after it in the long run. protecting against free radical damage can help maintain a strong skin barrier, so look for antioxidants in your products. as well as the lipids you need anti-inflammatories - vitamins A, C and E, green tea extract, or even food such as ginger, pomegranate, and colourful fruit and veg are great options. get you stress levels in check! stress is proven to slow down the skin healing process, including skin barrier recovery. daily stress or poor stress management can leave the skin barrier in a permanently weakened state so make sure your mind & body are balanced & feeling good. and of course, WEAR SPF!! One of the easiest ways to protect your skin’s barrier is by wearing a daily SPF. i highly recommend using the 3 layers of hydration from @forgetbeauty — available in studio; Awakened hydrating serum, Nutured oil & Immerse moisturerizer