How to Avoid or Treat Sensitive Skin Flare-Ups

After three virtual clients all had dermatitis flare-ups in one week, I knew exactly what I would be blogging about this month! Sensitive skin flare-ups!

One of my clients has such a bad reaction to detergents that going on trips and staying in hotels is not fun! Another has a sensitivity to a food and ended up with hives all over. The third had her hubby purchase a new laundry detergent. When she changed the linens on the bed for some freshly laundered ones after using the new detergent, she woke with dermatitis on her cheeks. She had introduced two new products to her skin care regime just a week or two earlier and was concerned that these new products were the problem, but after much dialogue to investigate everything that had happened, she told me about the new detergent. When I looked into the ingredients, I knew exactly what had happened. 

I wanted to give you a list of frequently reactive ingredients to look for in your detergents, hand soap, body gel, etcetera, so that you can avoid them. Also, I wanted to recommend some products that will help get you thru the worst of a bout of dermatitis.

Ingredients to Avoid:

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
• Fragrance
• Benzisothiazolinone
• Octylisothiazolinone
• Methylisothiazolinone

Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent Recommendations

I have to say, while researching for skin safe brands, there are so many articles with long lists of detergents that were not skin safe at all! 😳 And, just because they say it is free and clear does not mean that it is free of the above ingredients. 😉 Check before purchasing as there are other brands saying they are free and clear, but they are not. This also goes for the “natural” detergents as they, too, can have the above ingredients.

• Tide Free and Clear Liquid - pods and powder
• Biokleen Sport
• Dropps Sensitive Skin and Baby Laundry Detergent Pods
• Molly’s Suds Unscented Laundry Detergent Powder
• Grab Green 3-1 Laundry Detergent Pods Fragrance Free

Sensitive Skin Product Recommendations

How about some products that you might want to have on hand in your “medicine cabinet” if you have sensitive skin? Actually, I had two bouts with peri-oral dermatitis from using the same toothpaste that I had been using for like 30 years only to find out I can’t use it anymore! Thank goodness I had all these products on hand and I don’t have “sensitive or reactive” skin!

Hale & Hush Relief Bio Powder
This is a phenomenal blend of 8 botanical extracts and the product is in a container that fits in the palm of your hand. You could have this in your handbag/ backpack in case of emergencies. It is acne safe and works great for bug bites, hives, etc. It is your 911 to reduce itching, redness and irritation! Brush on the powder and it helps to act as a concealer for redness. You can mix it with some water to form a paste for spot treatments or mix with more water to make a soothing mask. You can also add it to your moisturizer. There are so many ways to use this magical powder!

Hale & Hush Soothe Essence Serum
Be aware! This soothe essence is not acne safe, but it does reduce inflammation, redness and repairs skin damage, all while soothing and hydrating the skin. It contains mirabilis jalapa extract which calms sensitive skin and brings down the redness and discomfort. It helps to support the barrier and the skin’s resilience against sensitivity over the long term.

Roccoco Rescue Balm
Rescue Balm provides an antihistamine effect from botanical actives and helps to repair the skins barrier. This is a wonderful moisturizer that works great for those with eczema, dermatitis, or those wanting to get some great barrier repair. Guess what? It is acne safe!

Roccoco Intensive CPR
CPR Intensive suppresses inflammation like a steroid, but with all botanical actives instead. This has a no sting formula and is great for eczema or dermatitis flare ups. Although, it is not acne safe.

Sensitive Skin Lifestyle Hacks

If you have sensitive skin and are spending time at a hotel or somewhere other than your bed at home, here are some ideas to help.

• Take along your own pillow case or pillow
• Do not use robes provided by a hotel
• Bring along your own spa star wrap or kitsch glazey
• If you have room in your luggage, bring along a spare set of sheets

Recommended Products:

• Kitsch Satin Leopard Pillow Case
• Kitsch Satin Ivory Pillow Case
• Kitsch Holiday Blush Satin Pillowcase Set
• Spastar Get Ready Wrap
• Kitsch Blush Glazey
• Kitsch Charcoal Glazey

Keep glowing my gorgeous friends!