The Ultimate Guide to Soothing Skin

A hydrating serum has an instant moisturising action and provides a good base onto which you can then apply a cream or face mask. It leaves the skin hydrated under the epidermis, which will in turn strengthen the skin and help to reduce further damage. Be sure to choose one with gentle and calming ingredients such as aloe vera, oat extract, chamomile and lecithin.

Opt for creams rich in hydrating active ingredients to soothe, nourish, and repair the skin. A nourishing cream will act as a blanket to ‘tuck in' the serum and help it get absorbed in the skin better. Use the Hydrafresh Genius Multi-Active Essence Cream by L’Oréal Paris to instantly hydrate the skin and make it feel supple and fresh. The hyaluronic acid and aloe water in the Hydrafresh Genius Multi-Active Essence Cream retains skin’s moisture and gives your smooth and soft skin.

Irritated and dry skins really soak up moisturising face masks. Go for masks that have the same calming ingredients as your serum or cream to turbo-charge the results. Leave the mask on for between 10 and 15 minutes and, if possible, stay in a humid environment (such as your bathroom) to help the active ingredients fully penetrate the skin. Face masks effectively hydrate the skin and stimulate its healing responses. Rinse off with warm, not hot water, as this can aggravate the skin even further.

Aloe vera is an eco-friendly cosmetic favourite for good reason, as it works wonders on skin in dire need of help. A blend of 90% water, vitamins and trace elements, it has a wide range of therapeutic uses, treating irritation, superficial burns, redness, scars and pimples at all once.

Sweet almond oil is rich in omegas 6 and 9, which are great for soothing inflammation. It restores the skin's hydrolipidic film and is moisturising, soothing, and softening.

Shea butter protects the skin and maintains its elasticity. It is a great healer, perfect for helping to repair any raised or damaged patches of skin.

Being rich in minerals including iron, calcium, silicon, manganese and potassium, thermal water has soothing, softening and anti-irritant properties. Use it after cleansing and before moisturising to reduce redness and irritation. An added bonus: your cream will help seal in this extra layer of moisture, helping to keep the skin supple.

It is not often easy to deal with sensitive skin as a lot of different ingredients in your skin care products can irritate your skin. Remember to always check the ingredients list of any skin care products you use and perform patch tests whenever you try out new products. Use the skin care products mentioned above to calm and soothe your skin and prevent any reactions and flare ups.