Wellness

Coping with stressed skin: Sarah's podcast with Liz Earle

In our fast-paced world, where stress and environmental factors constantly challenge our well-being, our skin often bears the brunt. On an episode of The Liz Earle Wellbeing Show, our founder, Sarah, shared her expertise on managing stressed and sensitive skin, offering practical tips and insights that can help you maintain a healthy complexion.

Understanding stressed and sensitive skin

The skin, our largest and most complex organ, acts as a shield against allergens, UV rays, and pollutants. However, sensitive skin, which struggles with conditions like eczema and psoriasis, often faces chronic inflammation. This inflammation can impair the skin barrier, making it more susceptible to irritants. These conditions are usually genetically predisposed and while they may not be curable, they can be managed effectively.

Differentiating between sensitive and sensitised skin

Sarah explains that there's a crucial distinction between sensitive skin and sensitised skin:

Sensitive Skin: A genetic predisposition that requires ongoing management.
Sensitised Skin: A short-term reaction triggered by external factors such as essential oils or synthetic fragrances.

Identifying and avoiding these triggers is essential in managing skin sensitisation. At By Sarah, we intentionally exclude potential irritants like essential oils and synthetic fragrances from our skincare products to ensure they are gentle and nourishing for your skin. Our meticulously chosen and clinically-proven ingredients are chosen to support optimal skin health and barrier function.

The role of lifestyle in skin health

Our daily choices, including diet, sleep, stress levels, and environmental exposure, play significant roles in our skin's behaviour. Sarah's top tips for managing this includes eating a well-balanced diet with an emphasis on whole foods, getting enough restful sleep, and wearing SPF daily to prevent skin damage from UV exposure.

Understanding the main triggers for skin sensitisation can help in managing flare-ups effectively. Sarah emphasises the importance of using plant oils and antioxidant-rich compounds to support and balance the skin barrier, making it less vulnerable to irritants.

Less is more

When it comes to skincare for sensitive skin, simplicity is key. Overloading the skin with multiple products can do more harm than good. Sarah suggests a minimalistic approach with three essential steps:

Cleansing: This is the cornerstone of any skincare routine. Effective cleansing removes impurities without stripping the skin, providing a clean canvas for subsequent steps. Our Balancer Cream Cleanser is formulated with hydrating prebiotic inulin and black oats to repair the skin barrier and naturally soothe your skin.
Hydration: Replenishing the skin's moisture is crucial for maintaining a healthy complexion, whether you choose to do so using a moisturiser or facial oil.
SPF: The power of sun protection when it comes to looking after stressed, sensitive skin really cannot be understated. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has been dermatologically-tested to make sure it's soothing for sensitive skin.

We've curated an easy 3-step skincare routine for stressed skin. Our Daily Essentials bundle has been handpicked for rebalancing and calming properties to leave skin looking and feeling radiant, without irritation.

The best ingredients for sensitive skin

Apricot oil is known for its pro-apoptotic effect, meaning it supports skin cell renewal. It is also a key ingredient in our award-winning cruelty-free Hero Facial Oil, nurturing your skin and maintaining a healthy, balanced skin barrier.

Sarah also recommends bakuchiol as a retinol alternative for sensitive skin. Bakuchiol is plant-derived and doesn't cause skin irritation or dryness, yet is 25% more effective than retinol at promoting type I collagen synthesis. Our Bakuchiol Booster has been specially formulated with squalane and jojoba oils to gently nourish your skin, and has been dermatologically approved for sensitive skin.

Managing sensitive and stressed skin requires a thoughtful approach, focusing on gentle, effective ingredients and a simplified routine. By understanding your skin's needs and triggers, you can create a nurturing environment that supports skin health and resilience. At By Sarah, we're dedicated to providing skincare solutions that protect and soothe your skin, helping you achieve a radiant, calm complexion.

Listen to the full podcast episode with Sarah and Liz Earle for more tips for dealing with stressed, sensitive skin.

If you have any more questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out to us at care@bysarahlondon.com or message us on Instagram @bysarahlondon. We're here to help you every step of the way.

By Sarah