As the temperatures warm up, it’s natural to worry about allergy season. Allergy sufferers know that spring brings puffy eyes, dry, itchy skin, and constant redness from blowing your nose frequently.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, it’s best to visit an allergist to find out what solution is best for you. Over-the-counter medications called antihistamines may be recommended to relieve your symptoms.
However, since allergies are often damaging to your skin (FYI: your skin care routine may be making these symptoms worse), there are steps you can take at home to relieve symptoms. Here are five tips to prevent spring allergies.
Soothe Yourself with a Hydrating Mask. Allergies can cause inflammation in the skin because excess histamine causes tissue to swell. We know that applying a cold compress to a swollen eye can reduce inflammation.
Reduce redness and puffiness (aka “face irritation”) with the Look Alive Hydrating Plumping Mask. Formulated with rosehip seed oil and aloe vera leaf juice, it naturally cools and refreshes the skin for immediate relief.
For enhanced soothing effects, you can store the mask in the skincare fridge until use. Bonus points if you apply with a jade roller, paying special attention to the affected area.
Lightens dark circles and eye bags. Dark circles and eye bags are caused by a variety of factors, not just lack of sleep but seasonal allergies as well.
Also known as “allergic dark circles,” dark circles occur when you have a stuffy nose (not just in the nose) and that causes blood to pool in the under-eye area. Lightens dark circles by improving circulation
Draining trapped fluid.
Coffee seed extract — included in the Holiday Eye Brightening Gel — boosts circulation and brightens the eye area. Tip: Enjoy an eye massage by tapping quickly with your fingertips from the inner corner of your eye to your temple. Or use a
Facial acupressure device. This makes it easier for fluid to drain.
Remove pollen with a gentle cleanser. Whether your skin is traditionally sensitive or not, allergies can cause your skin to be more easily irritated.
If you suffer from a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, you may experience more breakouts than usual during the warmer months. If a peel or scrub is too irritating for your skin, use it sparingly.
However, don’t forget to cleanse your skin thoroughly, especially after outdoor activities, and especially around the eyes, as pollen can cling to the skin.
Buy Clean Skincare Products Because allergies can cause your skin to become more sensitive than usual, it’s more important than ever to avoid potential triggers. According to the FDA, fragrances and preservatives like parabens are the most common allergens found in cosmetics. Switch to clean, paraben-free skincare whenever possible, and look for fragrance-free products suitable for sensitive skin. This also applies to the ingredients you eat and drink—studies show that sugar and alcohol can weaken your immune system and make allergy symptoms worse. Strengthen Your Moisture Barrier The best way to combat seasonal skincare allergies is to take defensive measures. The purpose of the skin barrier is to protect against environmental influences like pollen, but it can’t do that job very well if it’s not cared for properly. Get good sleep and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and using a moisturizer—in the warmer months, we recommend the Dew Point Moisturizing Gel Cream—as allergies can also cause dryness. And of course, don’t forget the sunscreen! Our SPF Guards Up protects against UV rays, pollution, and blue light damage.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
