Do you get fomo when your gals talk about their 10-step skincare routine, knowing that whatever you put on your face causes your skin to blow up? Yup, me too. Ugh, all I have to do is look at a product, and my skin breaks out. Sensitive skin is frequently common in women, as we tend to have a thinner epidermis than men, which is the barrier to keeping all the nasties, allergies, and irritants out. And something that most of us have in common, is that we own and use a lot more products, causing our skin to become a little confused and somewhat irritated.
Working in the beauty industry and having sensitive skin, can be a blessing and a curse. Being blindsided with excitement when a new product comes out, soon becomes overruled by the reality of pain enduring, blotchy skin when I am quick to try something without reading the label.
I learned the hard way by trying 3 million different products thinking they'd ‘fix me’. But anytime the overuse of products has been too much to handle, I've always found myself going back to the sensitive skincare experts, Avène.
Avène has always been my go-to for my clients and my own sensitive skincare concerns. But what makes them the experts and where did this miracle in a bottle come from? After a quick google search I found out that it all began in a small village of Southern France. The lovely old village of Avène is located in the Orb valley, in the heart of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Park and is surrounded by nature.
The soothing, anti-irritating properties of Avène Thermal Spring Water were discovered when the Marquis de Rocozel’s horse was healed from stubborn pruritus by the water of Avène after a few swims. Since then the Avène Thermal Spring Water properties have been used to treat the burnt victims of the Great Chicago Fire, hydrotherapy patients and sensitive skin people like me all over the world.
So after years of playing guinea pig, I have finally found peace in discovering my must-haves from Avène's reliable range and are ready to share my skincare routine and top tips for tackling sensitive skin.
Be kind to your skin
Inflammation of the skin can lead to many other issues, so taking it back to the basics and ensuring that you cleanse gently will prevent, but also soothe uncomfortable skin. The Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid Replenishing Cleansing Oil is something that doesn't leave my shower. I would sleep in it if I could. With a lipid-replenishing power that gently cleanses and soothes dry skin prone to eczema and itching, this high-performing cleanser helps to repair, nourish and strengthen the skin's barrier, and can be used on both the face and body. Rich in its famous Avène Thermal Spring Water, it's a soap-free, non-comedogenic formula that's my go-to for when my skin's a little sore and irritated.
Want a no-rinse cleanse? The Avène Micellar Water is the most gentle and soothing micellar water, that removes all traces of makeup and pollution, is gentle on the eyes, and is great for that impaired skin barrier of ours without drying out the skin. When I lived in London, I'd regularly go to Paris on trips for work and I would purposefully leave a huge space in my suitcase, as I'd run straight to the french pharmacies to stock up on large bottles of these micellar waters because I simply couldn't live without them!
Avoid fragrance & alcohol (in your skincare)
If your skincare products are heavily fragranced, contain alcohol (not the marg kind), and you're experiencing irritation and blotchiness, it can most definitely mean that you have sensitive skin, and you should try to avoid it at all costs.
Also powered by the magical Avène Thermal Spring Water, Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream, clinically proven to soothe soften and calm the skin, boasting of its new innovation, the ingredient C+-Restore which helps to replenish the skin's natural barrier, and is totally fragrance-free.
So what i'm saying is, if you're anything like me and have experimented with too many different products, and your skin's screaming for help, or even if your skin feels sensitive and uncomfortable, you can reset your skin back to its factory settings with this skin saviour by introducing this into your routine.
Always carry a small ambulance with you
It totally depends on what you need; if we're talking hangovers, the little red ambulance filled with sweet syrupy soda is the key, but we're talking skincare here. If you don't own this, it's time you introduced this baby into your life. The Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray really does need a blog written just for itself, I'm going to really roll the red carpet out for it today. This miracle-in-a-bottle or magical water, is the key to soothing care for sensitive, allergenic, and irritated skin. It's also a must-have for health and beauty benefits, and I'm going to tell you why;
- It soothes and calms the skin instantly, relieving dry, cracked, irritated skin, and if have eczema prone skin like me, it minimises the itchiness, redness, and reduces that unbearable pain from scratching. IYKYK.
- Want an instant refresh? Like a glass of water, adding instant hydration and nourishment, during summer months, after exercising, and is also great under makeup if you're after a juicy, dewy glow. Also, layer it in between your skincare steps, and use it liberally until your skin feels hydrated.
- It's gentle enough to be used on children, and can relieve nappy rash and other various skin irritations.
- Caught out by sunburn? No problem. Dermatologically tested, the Thermal Spring Water provides a calming, cooling, and soothing relief after just one spritz. In saying that, it's also fab for hot beach days instantly cooling yourself down.
Protection and prevention
Those of you may or may not be familiar with our good friend Vitamin C, if you're not, it's the most thoroughly researched antioxidant on the market and is a vital ingredient to banish pigmentation, support anti-aging, and most importantly, it helps to protect your skin from external pollutants and free radicals.
Now, whenever I've tried using Vitamin C, my skin has literally run for the hills, therefore I was nervous to try Avène's new A-Oxitive Antioxidant Defense Serum. But let me tell you something... SHE CAME THROUGH 👏
Not only boosting radiance, reducing fine lines, and preserving our youthful skin, the A-Oxitive Antioxidant Serum is key for fighting against the harmful effects of daily aggressors i.e. free radicals, pollution, and blue light, which yep you guessed it, are all factors that can increase sensitivity levels in our skin!
It boasts of 'Gradual Release Vitamin C', which gradually releases pure Vit C throughout the day providing long-lasting antioxidant protection, and increases tolerance levels of sensitivity. Plus, (there's a theme here) with its anti-irritating properties, it's rich in Avène Thermal Spring Water to soothe and soften the skin. It's a yes from me!
Moisturise, moisturise and moisturise
Dry and dehydrated skin is naturally more vulnerable and prone to sensitivity as the skincare barrier is depleted. And when your skin's in this unhappy state, you are more prone to irritation, acne, sun damage, sensitivity, the list goes on. For my daily moisturiser, The Avène Hydrance Optimale - Aqua Cream-In-Gel is perfect if you're after intense hydration, but still keeping it lightweight. It will gently moisturise your skin providing you with a protective layer, and will also protect the skin against free radicals. It's also so fresh and so cooling on the skin!
If on the other hand, you desperately need to moisturise, your skin is dry, cracked, sore and irritated, the extremely-popular Avène Skin Recovery Cream can be used to rapidly soothe, nourish and moisturise the skin. If you have highly sensitive skin, this very gentle formula is a must-have for your kit as it restores the skin's barrier protection, and reinforces the skin's defence for a long-lasting action.
And like the Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream, is also completely fragrance-free!
Suffer in silence no more, and treat yourself to the skincare routine that you've been waiting for here, at Oz Hair & Beauty.
