Ask Sarah
Do you need help with a skin complaint?**
Sarah Brown founded Pai after years of suffering from skin allergies and irritations.
Sensitive T-Zone Skin
Dear Sarah,
I would like to try out one of your facial moisturisers but don't know which one to go for.
I have dry skin normally, with oily forehead and nose (probably oily T-zone).
I have breakouts on and off with red coloured scarring and have started to get wrinkles.
Sometimes I have sensitive skin as well (redness, itchiness).
My skin is pale with freckles. As you can see there is lots going on... Which cream would you recommend for me?
Sally
More Details:
Age - 34
Moisturising Regime - Morning only
Spots? - On forehead, chin & hairline
Dry Skin? - Cheeks and around the nose
Any Redness? - Reaction to products and on spots
Dear Sally,
The moisturiser I'd recommend for you is our Chamomile & Rosehip Cream.
Chamomile is very calming and will soothe any redness / itching.
Rosehip strengthens the skin and will help both heal and soften your scars.
I'd recommend a light application in the morning only and go easy on the naturally oily areas of your face.
Additional more general tips are as follows:
Moisturising:- Always avoid face creams that contain beeswax. Whilst a lovely natural ingredient, it is very solid at room temperature and so can't penetrate the skin properly.
It's why some creams can just sit on the face and feel cloying.
This is not good if you've got sensitive skin (as it suffocates the skin) or are prone to breakouts as the beeswax clogs the pores. - Look out for chemical preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate.
Both are commonly used by natural skincare brands as paraben replacements - unfortunately they are bad skin irritants. - Only moisturise in the morning and leave your skin to breathe at night.
This is when your skin does all its healing and regenerating, so heavy moisturisers and night creams can interfere with this important natural process.
- Avoid foaming facial washes as they usually contain chemical detergents which strip away your natural oils away and leave your skin dry and taut.
The main detergents to look out for (and eliminate) are Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Cocoamidopropyl Betaine.
Opt for a detergent free cleanser instead and use just once a day to clean your face before you go to bed.
- Increase your intake of Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3,6,9) as they are great at conditioning the skin from the inside.
Oily fish, seeds and nuts are all good sources but if your diet is lacking these foods then Flaxseed oil might be a good supplement for you.
It is best to buy in its pure oil form (you can get from most good health food stores) so it hasn't been overly processed.
