By Dr. Nirvana S. Pillay, Medical Scientist & Founder of Nirvana Natural Bliss
So here is a bit of a backstory about this post before I share with you some tips on what ingredients to avoid if you have sensitive skin.
About a year ago, I was seeking a service of a PR firm. I had learnt that PR firms are finicky and really choose who they want to work with and not vice versa. So I had landed an interview with the PR firm owner and she said to me" Nirvana this is the cost of our services, regardless if your products get featured or not. She also added that it can take up to six months to get featured in a magazine as it is at the discretion of the Health & Beauty Editors and this is not paid advertising. She had pointed out that Beauty Editors landed hundreds of products a day on their desks -all wanting to be featured.
By nature I am risk-averse , safe and extremely cautious and my heart just sank. I thought to myself should I pay this amount on a monthly basis or should I just forget the whole PR idea.
I went with my gut-feeling and went ahead with the PR firm because I truly believe about the quality and effectiveness of my products that I had worked so tirelessly to formulate while taking care of my newborn.
In any event, I was so thrilled that not only did this particular product get featured by two different Beauty editors in the same month, Rooi Rose had also requested an interview with me about sensitive skin. My first response to the PR firm was that my Afrikaans was not great especially when trying to speak in scientific terms. So long story short -thankfully Rooi Rose translated what I had said to Afrikaans.
So this is a snippet about what I had written for that interview
It is so important to learn how to deal with sensitive skin by getting familiar with what to avoid using on your skin. Here is a list of pointers of harsh chemicals found in some lotions and creams that could potentially aggravate your sensitive skin.
Make sure to read the ingredients listings on the skincare labels and make conscious decisions when choosing products.
Watch your diet as there might be an allergen that triggers a reaction. To help relieve itching you can us over-the-counter remedies like hydrocortisone creams, calamine lotion or anti-histamines. Always seek medical attention from your dermatologist for skin concerns.
Here are a few pointers on things to avoid if you have sensitive skin.
1. Avoid skincare with alcohol in them as this extracts the skin's natural moisture which leads to dry, itchy, irritated skin.
2. Avoid Dyes with the ingredient parapheylenediamine (PPD) found in hair dyes as this can irritate the scalp.
3. Avoid Synthetic fragrances as this can cause redness and inflammation. Opt for a fragrance-free formula or one that uses essential oils that is known to soothe and calm sensitive skin types.
4. Avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulphate/ Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLS/SLES) is used to create a foamy lather but can be too harsh for sensitive skin as it can disturb the skin's natural balance and contribute to acne.
5. Avoid Parabens as some people may develop a reaction to them and cause skin irritation.
6. Avoid Polyethanol Glycol (PEGs) not only reduces the skin’s moisture but can be a skin irritant.
7. Avoid alpha hydroxy acids( AHA) and citric acids as this can cause redness, swelling and itching.
8. Avoid salicylic acid and retinol as this can cause redness.
Nirvana Natural Bliss Products are free from PPD, SLS/SLES, PEGs, Parabens and AHA.
Recommended Products
Nirvana Natural Bliss Facial Moistuiser for Sensitive Skin.
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