One of the biggest concerns for those who regularly get acne flare-ups is redness and inflammation. Girls with sensitive skin too, face this problem as harsh skincare products and allergies can damage the tiny blood vessels close to the skin’s surface. Changing your products and trying new ones can also make your skin throw a tantrum. However, including certain ingredients in your skincare routine can calm redness and soothe irritation. So the next time you’re in the skincare aisle at the beauty centre, look for the following ingredients in your products.
Licorice extract
Other than being an essential ingredient in your candies, licorice contains glycyrrhizin, an acid that soothes irritation. Interestingly this is the same acid that gives licorice its sweet flavour. It can be used to treat rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis as well as other forms of redness, rashes, itchiness, and swelling. Licorice can also have a brightening effect on the skin as it remedies hyperpigmentation and discolouration.
Green tea
Green tea not only flushes out toxins from the body but it also has antioxidant properties that soothe and calm signs of redness. This natural, plant based antioxidant is suitable for every skin type and has no side effects. You can also refrigerate used green tea bags and place them on the affected area to reduce redness and calm irritation.
Cucumber
Known for its cooling and soothing properties, cucumber is also an analgesic, meaning it offers pain relief and contains many antioxidant properties. Packed with nutrients like vitamin A, potassium and sulfates, it effectively treats sunburns and other forms of skin irritation without making the skin dry. Applying cucumber juice on your skin post cleansing can reduce redness effectively.
Aloe vera
Whether it is an acne flare-up, sunburn or rosacea, aloe vera is a natural soothing agent that accelerates the healing process. The active components in aloe vera reduce pain and stimulate the repairing process. Fresh aloe vera gel or a product that is readily available such as the Lakmé 9 to 5 Naturale Aloe Aqua Gel will protect, hydrate and heal your skin.
Niacinamide
Finding this wonderful ingredient in skincare products won’t be difficult in fact we’ve already done it for you! The Lakmé Absolute Perfect Radiance Skin Lightening Day Crème targets uneven skin tone, fine lines, enlarged pores as well as strengthens your skin’s natural barrier. It protects skin from external aggressors which means it will keep irritation causing bacteria at bay as well as soothe and repair inflamed skin.
Written by Sanya Hamdani on Oct 23, 2019
Sanya Hamdani is a skincare enthusiast and lipstick hoarder, she truly believes no two red lipsticks look exactly alike. With a Master's degree in Communication & Journalism and 5+ years of digital writing experience up her sleeve, Sanya has some of the biggest beauty experts in the country on her speed dial. When she's not swatching products or writing about the latest trends in beauty, you will find her watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S. or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.