Anyone who suffers from hay fever or house dust allergies knows the stress this can put on the skin. Many of us are prone to allergies and various skin conditions, such as eczema and rosacea. When it comes to allergies, however, the effects go far beyond sneezing: eyes that are swollen and constantly watering, noses that are sore from blowing them too hard, redness and dryness along cheeks, neck, and even chest and arms Spreading (angry skin) rash and swollen blisters (called hives).
I don’t want to be dramatic, but when my allergies are at their worst, it’s like a burning itch deep in my soul that I can’t escape no matter how much I cough, sneeze, sneeze or blow my nose. Added to this is a tight throat and headaches from sneezing. But of course it was just allergies so we were told to take antihistamines and continue treatment. During my illness, I often avoided lying alone in a dark room, praying that Periton would kick in soon.
However, this fall I decided to do something about it. I asked several experts for advice on caring for skin damaged by hay fever and dust allergies. I talked to a dermatologist. Penelope Prasu and Dr. Vinod Vijay speaks; holistic skin scientist and founder of Dr. Jane Knows Skin, Ph.D. Jennifer Davis Alexander; Merry Thornton, board-certified dermatologist assistant and founder of Element Medical Aesthetics; and immunologist Ph.D. Jenna Marchocci. Read on for her tips, including which skin care ingredients to prioritize and which ones to avoid.
How do hay fever and dust allergies affect our skin?
Hay fever and dust allergies both refer to airborne allergens, whether they are plant pollen and spores or house dust mites. Because they are airborne, they can be inhaled or come into contact with our skin, causing a variety of respiratory, nasal and skin symptoms. Hay fever most commonly affects our activities outdoors and its causes may vary depending on the time of year (generally tree pollen is most common from March to May, grass pollen is most common from May to July, Weed pollen is most common from June to September). Instead, dust allergies most commonly plague us indoors. For people like me who suffer from both conditions, there is little relief. But what effect do they have on our skin?
Nalan Aksahin, senior beautician at Rejuv Lab in London, previously told R29: "With allergies, the body's natural instinct is to fight off pollen when it's inhaled or comes into direct contact with the skin. This can cause an inflammatory reaction in the skin. "This can lead to rashes , damaging the skin barrier and causing irritation and sensitivity. Even the mildest symptoms (itching around the eyes, nose, or throat) can lead to excessive scratching or vigorous nose blowing, which can further damage the skin's protective barrier (the upper part that prevents moisture from escaping), says Macciochi. The body's natural The released histamine can cause puffy eyes, and as we rub our eyes more frequently, we can cause additional damage to the delicate eye area and can lead to faster aging of the skin, such as fine lines.
This means your already dry and flaky skin will feel even more dry and flaky, and your moisturizer will have to work harder to keep your skin supple. “At their peak, hay fever and house mite allergies can also worsen pre-existing skin conditions, such as hives, atopic eczema, eczema and psoriasis, because your immune system is weakened,” adds Prasu.
What should you add to your skin care routine to counteract the effects of hay fever and dust allergies?
Experts say it's crucial to understand the products we use on our skin and how to use them.
Simplify your skincare routine and look for products that repair your skin barrier
The First Thing of the Two Doctors Prasu and Dr. Macciochi keeps my skincare routine to a minimum and I use it with care. "People with allergies often have a weaker skin barrier," says Dr. Macciochi. She recommends using perfume, alcohol, exfoliants, essential oils, and avoiding artificial colors and strong active ingredients like retinol because of their irritating effects. "Instead, look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and panthenol (provitamin B5)," she adds. “It’s also always good to patch test new products before using them.”
PhD. When allergies are at their worst, your best bet is to skip lotions and lotions in favor of gentle, fragrance-free, non-foaming cleansers and moisturizers for sensitive skin (you can work your way back up, little by little), says Pratsou. . your skin has calmed down). . Products I already love and use regularly are CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (£11.50), which is rich in barrier ceramides, and Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (£17.24), which is formulated with ultra-hydrating glycerin and niacinamide. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser, priced at £22, is part of the first skincare range to win an award from Allergy UK and comes highly recommended. Experts recommended that I cleanse my skin thoroughly morning and night to remove accumulated pollen and dust particles.
After cleansing, it’s important to moisturize your skin and keep it hydrated. Ceramides are your best friend here too, essential for a healthy skin barrier. For a gentle, soothing ceramide-rich moisturizer, try CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30, £12.40 (it's oil-free and non-comedogenic, perfect for oily and acne-prone skin ) and La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Facial Moisturizer, £15.20. For particularly dry, sensitive skin - especially skin around the nose that hurts from rubbing - I opt for Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, £38, which contains five ceramides, panthenol and glycerin to boost moisture.
Use ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties
Once your skin is soothed and easier to care for, you can incorporate more products into your routine, especially those with anti-inflammatory ingredients. Experts recommend aloe vera, green tea, chamomile and oatmeal.
The Best Aloe Vera Skin Care Products for Hay Fever and Allergies
"Aloe vera is known to reduce inflammation and relieve dryness and itching," explains Dr. Weegee. "You can apply fresh aloe vera directly to your skin, or you can look for products that contain aloe vera as an ingredient." One of Thornton's top tips is to cool the aloe vera gel in the refrigerator before applying. For a pure dose of fair trade organic aloe vera, head to The Body Shop. If you want to treat yourself, Dr. Barbara Sturm 90% Aloe Vera Leaf Juice with purslane extract (also known as hogweed, a powerful antioxidant rich in vitamins A, C and E) and panthenol (a humectant and emollient, can reduce moisture), can combine moisture loss and help the skin store moisture). The more affordable Facetheory is a favorite here at R29 HQ and has always been known for effective skincare products. Their Oil-Free Super Gel Moisturizer M3 (£16) combines aloe vera, chamomile and green tea extracts to further soothe irritation.
The Best Green Tea Skin Care Products for Hay Fever and Allergies
"Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation," says Dr. Weegee. "It's rich in amino acids and flavonoids, which are known to moisturize the skin and soothe irritated skin."
For really angry, irritated skin, K-beauty favorite COSRX (maker of TikTok-famous snail slime cream) has created an ultra-light, anti-inflammatory Green Tea Moisturizer: a hydrating, watery gel that Absorbs into skin immediately (and feels great). If you blow your nose too hard). Another new Korean beauty product in my arsenal is the Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum, £11.86. It's a blend of 50% green tea leaf water, 30% mugwort (a traditional ingredient used in East Asian medicine to treat inflammation, bacterial infections, circulatory problems, and more), and 5% panthenol.
The Best Chamomile Skin Care Products for Hay Fever and Allergies
"Chamomile's anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for treating hay fever and allergies," says Dr. Weegee. "You can apply chamomile directly to the skin (with a chilled chamomile tea bag), or look for products containing chamomile extract." While Mario Badescu can't be beat when it comes to cheap spray toners, there's another K-Me Beauty brands listed above. HYGGEE Relief Gel Toner, £20.10, contains chamomile extract, is free of synthetic fragrances and artificial colours, and has been tested for skin irritation by the OATC Skin Clinical Trials Centre. There's nothing better than the feeling of using a cooling gel toner on hot, itchy skin.
The Best Oatmeal Skin Care Products for Hay Fever and Allergies
"Oatmeal can reduce inflammation and relieve itching. "Oatmeal contains compounds that help soothe and moisturize the skin, making it a good choice for allergy relief," explains Dr. Vege. My latest and best oatmeal skin care product is Beauty Bay Colloidal Oatmeal + Oatmeal Lipid Rich Moisturizer, £28.50. I find it very hydrating and cooling, but light enough to blend into the skin. It also doesn't stick under makeup, which is often an issue with cream moisturizers .
Pay special attention to the eye area
Thornton explains that people with hay fever may experience "allergic flashes" around their eyes: dark circles caused by swelling and discoloration of small blood vessels. These are especially noticeable because the skin around our eyes is so thin and sensitive. She recommends looking for eye creams that contain caffeine (which shrinks blood vessels, making the area look brighter and less puffy) and niacinamide (which soothes the skin and reduces inflammation). Thornton recommends AVYA Illuminating Eye Cream, $68 (approx. £54). Cheaper caffeinated alternatives include Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid Elastic Lifting Eye Serum (£18) and The Inkey List Caffeine Serum (£9.99).
What lifestyle changes can I make to combat hay fever or house dust allergies?
It's not just a matter of what we put on our skin to relieve allergy symptoms; it's also what we put into our bodies. "First, it's important to control symptoms. This includes a combination of avoiding allergens and calming the immune response," explains Dr. Macciochi. "It's important to pay close attention to your triggers, avoid them if possible, and discuss allergy testing with your doctor to determine your specific triggers." This is most easily accomplished by monitoring pollen counts or the time since your last pollen count. Cleaned your home. According to Dr. Macciochi says allergies are often a sign of an immune system imbalance that can be regulated through regular exercise, stress management and good sleep.
stay hydrated
Another reason to drink more water! "Don't forget to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to maintain optimal mucus consistency and protect the mucus barrier," says Dr. Macciochi. ‘Of course you’re going to get dehydrated from sneezing and coughing.’ I’ve found that investing in a good quality stainless steel water bottle with a straw, like the £30 Yeti Rambler , really increases the amount of water I drink.
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