If you've ever walked out of a skin clinic with an inflamed or irritated face, you'll know that the last thing your skin needs is your regular dose of active ingredient-laden products. No. After a procedure like skin resurfacing, microdermabrasion, chemical peels or even just the harsh effects of winter, your skin needs some TLC.
That means taking a break from your usual hard-core, multi-step regime and replacing it with the skin equivalent of a lazy Sunday spent under the doona with a cup of tea and tim tams - calming salves that work to restore, hydrate and soothe.
1. Cosmedix C.P.R. Skin Recovery Serum, $74.80, theskincareclinic.com.au.
It smells like a green juice, so you know it's going to be good for you: this new serum is packed with vitamins, antioxidants and natural ingredients (green tea and blue agave, for instance) to do just what it says on the label: Calm. Protect. Restore. It's designed to aid recovery on post-procedure skin but is also ideal for sensitive skin types and redness.
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2. Ren Evercalm Protect Day Cream, $54, mecca.com.au.
Soothing chamomile flower extract and camellia seed oils infuse this luxe day cream, designed to address irritated, reactive and red skin and leave it hydrated and smooth. Pair with the Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk and Anti-Redness Serum to boost your results.
3. Lancome Hydra Zen Nuit Neurocalm Night Cream, $87, lancome.com.au.
Said to aid the skin's natural self-defence potential, this rich night cream combats environmental and emotional stressors wreaking havoc on your complexion. Slather it on at night to wake up with moisturised, soothed and less red skin.
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4. Société Skin Hydration Complex, $88, advancedskintechnology.com.au.
Antioxidants and hyaluronic acid soothe the skin and reduce redness; vitamin C and Société's peptide complex promote collagen and elastin production and shea butter ups the hydration factor: this new cosmeceutical moisturiser has a lot going for it. It's made for calming and refreshing skin following resurfacing procedures and sunburn.
5. Kiehls Centenella Recovery Skin Salve, $70, kiehls.com.au.
Ideal to use following microdermabrasion or peels, this alcohol-free balm is PH-balanced, lightweight and super soothing. Use day and night until skin has fully recovered.
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6. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Repairing Balm, $15.95, laroche-posay.com.au.
La Roche-Posay are the kings of sensitive skincare and this ultra-calming and hydrating salve is a prime example. It's ideal for sensitive skin types or those recovering from irritating conditions like dermatitis - it's even suitable for use on babies.
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