Soothe Your Skin During Allergy Season

Allergy season is upon us and for most, there’s no dodging the sore throat, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes and sniffles. What’s worse is, our skin falls victim to these ailments as well. We’ve all seen and can relate to the Kleenex commercials with the little cartoon character sporting the bright pink nose. Well, I’m not a doctor, so I can’t cure your allergies. But I can give you some tips to help comfort your sore and tender skin while you wait for the season to pass.

• Don’t skimp on the tissue by looking for the cheapest price with the largest quantity. With the constant blowing of your nose and dabbing of tears, you really want to use tissue containing lotion. This type of tissue will be the most soothing and gentle on the delicate skin beneath your nose and under your eyes. Also be sure to always have tissue with you. The biggest mistake you can make is using paper towels, napkins or other harsh paper products for blowing your nose and blotting your tears. Doing this will only cause further irritation and redness of your skin.

• Keep your skin well moisturized to avoid intensely dry and chapped skin. Look for skincare products that contain soothing and healing ingredients such as aloe vera and vitamin E. Creams that help reduce inflammation and irritation are also ideal. A fantastic skincare product that will do all of this for your skin is the Peter Thomas Roth Aloe-Cort Cream. I have been using this cream for years to treat my eczema. A little will go a very long way, so dabbing a drop on the sensitive areas of your skin throughout the day is a fantastic way to soothe the irritation.

• Pick up a gel-based hydrating serum like the Murad Cellular Replenishing Serum to treat the overall dehydration of your skin that is caused by allergies. Not only can you use this serum everyday under your moisturizer, but you can also use it as a special treatment for the sore skin under your eyes. In addition to over-the-counter eye drops, it is also a great idea to use cold tea bags as a way to treat the puffiness, redness and irritation.

• Maintain your beauty by using makeup products which will help to counteract redness of the skin and even out your skin tone. For example, a concealer with a yellow-base will cover up redness. This concealer can be used under your eyes, around your nose and for over any blemishes that may pop up. Continue using your foundation as you normally would in order to keep your complexion looking healthy and even. You may need to use a little more foundation in the areas that are being concealed, but be sure not to over do it. Another excellent way to brighten up your skin is to use a highlighter or illuminator. Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator is fabulous for adding a pinch of color and radiance. This Clinique illuminator can be used with your foundation or just where you want to give your skin a little glow. A highlighter powder or stick can be applied to your cheek and brow bones to give add a little shine. Don’t forget to also apply a little blusher for some contrast and color. And lastly, use only waterproof eyeliner and mascara as to avoid a smudged and dreary looking eye.