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Battleplan for sensitive skin

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Step 1: Soothe inflammation by:

  • eating more anti-oxidant-rich foods (citrus fruits, spinach, broccoli, red fruits and vegetables) and drinking green tea.
  • cutting back on omega-6 (corn, canola and safflower oil) which increases inflammation.
  • avoiding cosmetics that contain a string of ingredients if your skin is playing up. The fewer the ingredients, the less the chance of a reaction.
  • boosting vitamin B. Not only will a vitamin B supplement help your body cope better with stress, it's also necessary for beautiful skin.

    Step 2: Boost the barrier of your skin by...

  • including more omega-3 in your diet (supplement or increase the amount of flaxseed oil and oily fish).
  • avoiding cleansing products that strip all the oil from the surface of the skin; rather use a cream cleanser or cleansing balm.
  • protecting your skin from the elements. Wear a good day cream and always wear a physical sunblock (that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as a barrier to the sun, rather than a high concentration of chemical sun-blocking ingredients).

    Step 3: Hydrate the skin by...

  • ensuring you have enough omega-3 in your diet (to keep moisture in the skin).
  • drinking more water (at least 1 and a 1/2 litres water per day).
  • eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.

    Step 4: Listen to your body by...

  • managing your stress levels with exercise or an activity that relaxes you.
  • noticing when the wheels fall off. If your skin regularly reacts, make a note of when it does so that you can pick up on the cause and prevent it from happening again.
  • getting more sleep. Sleep is a miracle healer. If your skin is out of sorts, try to get a few early nights; you'll be amazed at the difference it makes.

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