As spring unfolds, it brings with it a world full of colour and vitality. Trees grow, flowers bloom, the air fills with new life. For all its beauty, spring also ushers in a less celebrated guest: seasonal allergies. For allergy sufferers, spring means symptoms, as the very elements that symbolize the season's beauty become sources of discomfort. The usual sneezes and watery eyes can leave their mark on the skin. As well as the skin becoming more sensitive, irritated, red, or swollen.
Why Allergic Reactions?
Allergic reactions happen when our immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance, such as pollen, pet dander, or a specific ingredient in skincare products, as a threat. This leads the body to launch a defence against this perceived enemy, causing symptoms like sneezing, itching, and skin irritation. The immune system's goal is to protect us, but in the case of allergies, it ends up overreacting to substances that usually wouldn't cause harm.
This defence mechanism involves inflammation, a natural part of the immune response designed to help the body fight off invaders. Histamines, which are chemicals released by the immune system during an allergic reaction, play a key role by making blood vessels more permeable to allow other immune cells to enter the affected area. This results in the well-known allergy symptoms such as swelling and redness. Other substances like cytokines and leukotrienes (pro-inflammatory) are also released, amplifying the reaction, and leading to more severe symptoms.
What's the difference between being allergic to cosmetics and being sensitive to cosmetics
Skin allergies triggered by cosmetics or skincare products are known as contact dermatitis. This type of allergic reaction occurs when the skin becomes irritated after coming into contact with a specific allergen found in these products. The symptoms of contact dermatitis can range from redness and itching to more severe reactions like blistering and swelling. The specific allergen causing the reaction can vary greatly from person to person.
A skin allergic reaction is different to skin sensitivity to cosmetics. An allergic reaction is an immune system response and usually appears quickly after exposure to the allergen. On the other hand, skin sensitivity is a condition where the skin might react to certain ingredients, leading to irritation, but it does not involve the immune system. Sensitivity reactions can be gradual, resulting in dryness, itching, or a burning sensation without the immediate and intense symptoms seen with allergies.
All of Skin Diligent skincare products are dermatologist tested for skin sensitivity and they are hypoallergenic, meaning they are unlikely to cause allergic reactions. As individuals, we can be potentially allergic to something, anything. For this reason, it is impossible to test skincare products to be allergy-free.
Seasonal allergy manifestation on skin
Seasonal allergies, like hay fever, have an impact on the respiratory system, leading to symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. However, these allergies can also manifest on the skin, causing a range of visible effects beyond respiratory problems. Skin can become more sensitive during allergy season, due to the body's heightened alertness and overall allergic response. The link between skin reactions and the general allergic state of the body lies in the immune system's response to allergens. This systemic response can make the skin more prone to irritation and exacerbate existing skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis. The frequent action of wiping or rubbing the affected areas to relieve itchiness can also aggravate the skin further, creating a vicious cycle of irritation and potential skin damage.
5 TIPS to reduce seasonal allergic symptoms
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Keep windows closed during high pollen counts and use air purifiers to reduce indoor allergens.
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Shower before bed to remove pollen and other allergens from your skin and hair.
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Remove shoes when entering into your home, especially taking care not to take them into your bedroom.
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Some people find taking quercetin as food supplement to be helpful. But first check with a health care professional for any contraindication if you are taking medication or have a health condition.
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Practice meditation or breathing exercises as stress can make your allergic response worse.
What to use and what to avoid in skincare:
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Use hypoallergenic products.
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Use hyaluronic acid serums like Skin Diligent Cellular Hydration
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Use light moisturising creams
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Use mineral sunscreens that are less irritant and less reactive with skin.
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Avoid harsh exfoliants – like abrasive, strong acids
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Avoid retinol
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Avoid alcohol-based products and strong astringents that dry the skin.
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Avoid essential oils and products that contain known allergens like linalool, limonene, geraniol, citronellol, coumarin, etc (currently there are 26 recognised allergens, but this number will increase to 82 allergens by 2025)
How to use Skin Diligent products:
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Use Triple Action Cleanser, a truly gentle cleanser with probiotics for all skin types.
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On slightly moist skin, apply the very soothing Cellular Hydration Serum for hydration, cellular health, and skin microbiome regulation for better skin defence, with hyaluronic acid, magnesium, vitamin D agonist and probiotics, for all skin types.
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Seal the hydration with our super antioxidant Vitamin C Serum in Oil to combat oxidative stress and premature skin ageing at the cellular level, while restoring the health and quality of the skin barrier. With rare vitamin C in lipid form, more stable and easily absorbed than widely used ascorbic acid and other water-based derivatives, this serum helps stimulate collagen and brighten skin. Non-photosensitive.
If you have a very reactive skin, you may need to mix 1 drop of Vitamin C Serum in Oil with a light moisturising cream of your choice to apply on the face. You can then increase it to 2 drops and even apply it straight on your skin in a few months, once the product helps improve the skin barrier quality. By mixing with the cream, you are slowing down the release of the active ingredients on the skin and reduce the reactivity of the skin.
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Take Skin & Biotics food supplement. Many studies link probiotics with a better immune system, less inflammation and a healthier gut, which all translate to fewer or less intense hay fever symptoms.
Buy the hypoallergenic routine here:
- The Essential Trio