1.  How do I know if my skin needs calming?

You will know that your skin needs calming if it has redness, blotchiness or peeling/flaking. Blemishes or spots are another sign of inflammation and the treatments that are often used to “zap” them can irritate the surrounding skin, furthering the need for calming. If you notice that your sunglasses marks are slow to disappear, that is another sign of inflammation of the skin, and a calming ritual can help to ease the puffiness and lack of “bounce-back” in tired, irritated skin.

2.  What routine should I use for sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin still needs the care that normal skin needs. The key is to use products that effectively achieve these tasks without irritating the skin. It is a myth that sensitive skin should not be exfoliated as the build-up of dead skin cells that is natural and unavoidable can further irritate the skin. 1-2 times a week for sensitive skin, and as often as every other day for normal skin is my exfoliation recommendation.

3.  What ingredients should I look for?

Witch hazel has been used to calm skin for centuries, and glycerin is ideal as a humectant for sensitive skin. Our VENeffect Skin Calming Mist uses the calming nature of glycerine. This is combined with the anti-inflammatory properties of the phytoestrogens, including pomegranate, red clover and black cohosh, and the cooling effect of witch hazel, aloe and cucumber extract. What you should NOT look for is fragrance. Even if not listed as “fragrance” on the label, highly aromatic products, even from natural sources, are often the culprits of irritation to skin.