I decided to talk in more detail about some soothing, calming, anti-inflammatory ingredients that can be beneficial to sensitive skin. I have already mentioned in my previous post several of those listed below. But this time I had a closer look at them. I will be adding more ingredients to this list if I find the ones I consider important.
Allantoin aids in formation of healthy tissue. Allantoin is used to treat skin ulcers, wounds, scalds, burns, eczema, psoriasis due to its moisturizing, soothing and anti-irritating properties.
Bisabolol has soothing, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and regenerating effect on the skin. It is obtained from Chamomile flowers.
Calendula extract (oil) has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and produces soothing effect on the skin.
Castor Oil is an effective emollient and has calming effect on the skin.
Caffeine produces anti-inflammatory effect and was found to relieve skin redness.
Cucumber Extract
The same vegetable you add into your salad can actually help to sooth your sensitive skin. It is a natural anti-inflammatory. Cucumber was one of Cleopatra’s beauty secrets!
Cypress Oil reduces circulation and has vaso-constrictive properties. This makes it very beneficial for skin prone to redness.
Green Tea Extractis known for its amazing anti-oxidant properties due to high content of catechin (polyphenol). It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic effect on the skin.
Horse Chestnut is an anti-inflammatory agent. It contains OPCs (oligo-proanthocyanadins), antioxidant plant compounds similar and has toning and strengthening properties, especially to veins and capillaries.
Licorice contains glycyrrhetinic acid and is an effective emollient, anti-bacterial and soothing agent.
Milk Protein is known to effectively sooth skin. Milk compresses can be used to relieve redness and puffiness, or even to alleviate an allergic skin reaction.
Panthenol (the provitamin of B5) stimulates new cell formation in deeper epidermal skin layers. This helps to rebalance skin natural protective barrier. It also has an ability to attract and retain water, which makes it an effective humectant and emollient.
Red Raspberry Extract helps to relieve any irritation from skin sensitivity, acne or razor bumps. It produces soothing effect on inflamed skin.
Sweet Almond Oil is rich in fatty acids and acts as an effective emollient. It has softening and soothing effect on the skin, protects it from drying and improves skin barrier function.
Since the main cause of skin’s sensitivity is lower skin barrier function, ingredients that can help to rebuild this protective lipid barrier are very beneficial. There are ingredients which mimic lipid content of skin. Examples include: soya oil, avocado oil, apricot oil, canola oil, coconut oil, corn oil, jojoba oil, lanolin, lecithin, olive oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, shea butter, soybean oil, squalane, and sweet almond oil. Read my post on How to Treat Dehydrated Skin where you can find more ingredients and products that can help rebuild skin barrier.
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2 comments:
Any suggestions for specific products that help sensitive skin? I find that my skin goes crazy during the winter, and it doesn't make me a happy camper!
Yes, in winter sensitivity tends to increase.
My favorite is Verite line by Estee Lauder. I use it currently, except Vérité Special EyeCare. I would definitely recommend this line. I also like very much Swiss-German line SBT (Skin Biology Therapy). They have great quality products. Unfortunately it is sold only in several European countries and not yet available in the US. I also used Payot’s line “Les Sensitives” which is quite good but they add fragrance into their products. Finally, Clarins has a very nice line for sensitive skin based on plant extracts. I will review most of these lines in the upcoming weeks.
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