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I'm an allergy-suffering beauty editor, and this is my routine during a pollen bomb
A few easy product and regimen switch ups make all the difference
Pollen bombs hit me hard. Not in a sneezing fit or respiratory sort of way; instead they set off my lifelong eczema and what I like to call my eye eczema (in actual fact, allergic conjunctivitis).
From February to June, it's the tree pollen, and from May right into August, the grass pollen, typically at their most mischievous and havoc-wreaking during the early morning and late afternoon.
But you don't have to be an eczema sufferer for this to affect you; it's more common than most of us realise. “If you're experiencing unexplained patches of dryness or redness during these months, or waking up with a puffy face, it could be a sign that your skin doesn’t fare well with pollen,” explains Maddie Cridge, a therapist and skin expert at SpaSeekers.com.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream
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For some of us, when an allergen enters our body, our immune system overreacts and prompts an inflammatory response by way of a release of histamine. "This is responsible for the rashes, irritation and sensitivity," explains Maddie. "And for this reason those already suffering with pre-existing skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea may experience worsened symptoms during periods of high pollen.”
For me, pollen-triggered flares have been an on-again-off-again relationship since my twenties, but we got serious around seven years ago. That summer my reactions were so bad I ended up at Moorfields Eye Hospital A&E being prescribed corticosteroid and antibiotic eye drops. From that point on, I knew I had to get a robust routine in place to manage my skin and eyes during these seasonal flares.
Much of what I do echoes what Maddie recommends. "If you struggle with seasonal allergies, then during these months it's important to be washing your hair, bedding, clothes, and body more often because pollen sticks to just about everything,” she says. "Using a hypoallergenic washing powder and fabric softener will ease further irritation, too. And avoid the temptation to dry your sheets outside - you’ll just be re-covering them in pollen before sleeping in them at night.”
My pollen bomb routine involves a more-thorough-than-usual double cleanse as soon as I've walked through the door, followed by a shower in the evening, every evening, which includes a hair wash (I know, I know but it's worth it).
“Washing hair every night is not going to be doable for everyone," concedes Maddie, "so an alternative is wearing your hair up while you'reoutside, or wearing a headscarf or hat where possible to minimise the amount of pollen that transfers onto your head and hair."
Post evening shower, I'll use barrier building creams rich in hydrating ingredients to ease any inflammation that's been bubbling throughout the day. In the morning, a mineral sunscreen is my daily essential as it offers (as well as UV protection) a non-irritating physical barrier. On top of this, I switch to extremely hypoallergenic eye makeup, keep cooling cryo globes in the fridge for emergency de-puffing, and I'm armed with eye wipes, drops and sprays every time I leave the house.
Alongside my prescribed antihistamine, these are the pollen bomb essentials I invest in, and how I use them...
My beauty essentials during a pollen bomb
Unsexy, maybe, but essential. From April to September, I don't leave the house without a few of these in my bag. These sterile wipes are so gentle that they can be used on three-month-old babies, yet they're also incredibly effective at ridding eyelashes and eyebrows of tiny weeny allergens that otherwise stick around and aggravate. They can be used as often as required. Be sure to clean right into the lash line.
Double cleansing is doubly important at this time of year, but puffy, sensitive eyes also need to be treated carefully. This micellar water is the only one I ever use - it's incredibly gentle but also effective at removing makeup, pollen, pollution and any other undesirables that are hanging around at the end of a long day.
Continue the gentle double cleanse with this dreamy, ultra-light, fragrance-free balm. (I promise, even cleaning balm sceptics will love this balm.) There's nothing heavy or greasy about it - it just diligently removes every last scrap of dirt and allergens, while leaving the skin feeling nourished. It's a GH team favourite.
If you prefer your second cleanse in-shower, this formula is a winner. It's as hydrating as it is gently cleansing, thanks to clever new tech that sees ceramide boosters and hyaluronic acid get to work on the skin while you're washing it.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream
I'm sure I hear a little sigh of relief from my skin when I apply this cream. It's got that perfect balance of being rich but not greasy; skin drinks it up immediately and feels instantly soothed thanks to colloidal oatmeal alongside beta-glucan, which helps attracts moisture.
These are a de-puffing, skin cooling miracle during an allergen-induced skin flare. If you're using them directly from the freezer (they can also be used directly from the fridge), let them thaw for ten minutes first and be sure not to stay on one area of skin for too long. Use them by sweeping the globes in large circles all the way around the eye's orbital bone.
Peep Club is constantly innovating in the eye health area (a fave is the clever Eye Rescue Lidstick, which can cover more of the eye than a traditional eye cream). This spray offers - as the name suggests - instant relief for itchy pollen-bombed eyes, in particular that awful grit-in-the-eye feeling you get with allergic conjunctivitis. One in every handbag ladies, one in every handbag.
I love Green People's mineral formulas: the brand puts a LOT of time and effort into getting the textures right. This organic zinc oxide facial SPF is great for high protection, instant absorption, no white cast and - critically - zero irritation.
The daily hair wash will feel like much less of a chore if you invest in this lovingly developed haircare line from super stylist turned hair health guru Helen Reavey. Her clever cold processes keep the formulas as 'clean' as possible, so that they remove dirt super-gently while retaining moisture.
Offering exactly what it says on the bottle, this is a no nonsense (but somehow still quite luxe feeling) shampoo developed by trichologists that is extremely hypoallergenic. Rinse and repeat as often as you like.
What I love about this mascara is that you don't have to compromise: no irritation doesn't mean less intense colour or impact. It gives lovely, thick-but-natural-looking lashes while being specifically formulated to work with very sensitive, watery eyes. And, thankfully, it removes easily, too.
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