Dr. Sandy’s Gift Guide for Sensitive Skin

‘Tis the season for giving, but in the interest of healthy skin, I have to caution you about those gift boxes chock full of ‘skincare’ products that you’ll find lining the shelves of your favourite health and beauty retailers this time of year.

This is the oldest trick in the book. Lovely looking, sweet smelling and prettily packaged lotions that will impart little benefit to your skin.  In fact, they could cause you to break out in irritation or even an allergic reaction. Nothing merry about that.

If you’re looking to give the gift of great skincare this holiday season (something I fully support, btw), below are a few products to consider. Are they pretty? Some yes, some no. Will they be effective long after the Christmas lights are put away? You bet.

The Ordinary – Squalane Oil.  

Ingredients: Squalane ( this product wins the award for the least amount of ingredients!!)

What Is It? Squalene is a saturated and stable ingredient that is found naturally in the skin. It is non-comedogenic and is suitable for use on all skin types.

Why Use It? Squalene can hydrate and can prevent ongoing loss of hydration that impairs dermal suppleness. It also has some anti-aging benefit.s  There are no preservatives or allergens. Bonus it’s well priced.

How to Use It? Apply a few drops morning and night

Where to Find It? Available from: Amazon and Well.ca

Atoderm Lip Balm

Ingredients:

Paraffinum Liquidum/ Mineral Oil/Huile Minerale, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cera Microcristallina/Microcrytsalline Wax/Cire Microcristalline, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ozokerite, Paraffin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Hexyl Laurate, Ethylene/Propylene/ Styrene Copolymer, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Tocopherol, Bht, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Citric Acid

Why Use It? It contains no menthol or plant-based irritants that could aggravate chapped lips.

How to Use It? Morning and night and if you have been outside in the cold weather and your lips feels dry.

Where to Buy it? Available from: Amazon

Jane Iredale Eyeshadow Kit

Matte based eyeshadows without shimmer are better for you if you tend to get red irritated eyelids.  Mica can sometimes irritate and give makeup a shimmer. Start with the matte ones. The fewer the ingredients the better. This one has 5-7

Ingredients:  Mica, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Pine Bark Extract, Pomegranate Extract. May Contain Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.

Where to Buy it? Available from: Amazon

Glossier Cloud Paint

This is an interesting and fun take on blush.  There are many ingredients but few rare allergens.  No fragrance, formaldehyde preservatives or unnecessary plant ingredients.  Plus it’s fun. The palate was inspired by the NYC sunsets.

Ingredients:

Puff: Aqua/Water/Eau, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methyl Trimethicone, Mica, Butylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glycerin, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Magnesium Sulfate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Soluble Collagen, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Silica, Tin Oxide. MAY CONTAIN (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Carmine (CI 75470), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360), Red 7 (CI 15850).

Haze: Aqua/Water/Eau, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methyl Trimethicone, Mica, Butylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Glycerin, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Soluble Collagen, Aluminum Hydroxide, Tin Oxide. MAY CONTAIN (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Carmine (CI

Why Use It? This is an interesting and fun take on blush.  There are many ingredients but few rare allergens.  No fragrance, formaldehyde preservatives or unnecessary plant ingredients.  Plus, it’s fun. The palate was inspired by the NYC sunsets.

Where to Buy It? Available from: Glossier

Beauty Counter Mascara

This company is trying to “counter” the beauty industry trends.  I like this mascara. It has a few plant based oils but none worrisome from an irritant point of view. Jasmine can be an allergen in low percentages  but many mascaras contain formaldehyde preservatives, metals like chromium, and dyes which all can be irritating and allergenic so I like this one. Remember there is no perfect for everyone – irritation is very individual and can be cumulative with your other makeup products. Often with sensitive skin it’s trial and error and your latest edition has to play nice with the rest of your products.  

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Cera Microcristallina/Microcrystalline Wax/Cire microcristalline, Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Behenate, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Palmitic Acid, Cera Carnauba/Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Cellulose, Methylpropanediol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Dimethicone, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Rosa Centifolia Flower Wax, Jasminum Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Flower Wax, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Citrate, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Wax, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Oenocarpus Bataua Fruit Oil

Where to Buy It? Available from: Beauty Counter

Beauty Counter Sheer Lipstick

Ingredients:

Diisostearyl Malate, Jojoba Esters, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Octyldodecyl Ricinoleate, Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax)/Cire microcristalline, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Cire de candelilla, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850).

Why Use It? Lipstick can contain its share of allergens and irritants.  I think beauty counter has done a good job with this version. Some plant-based oils but not worrisome from an irritant and allergen point of view.

Where to Buy It? Available from: Beauty Counter

Organic Sunflower Seed Oil Moisturizer – 4oz size | All Natural Cold Pressed 100 Pure – High Linoleic

• Key Ingredient: 100% sunflower seeds (if you have an allergy, do not use)
• Why Use It? Sunflower seed oil has been shown in studies to decrease the incidence of atopic eczema in infants at high risk of developing this condition from their parents.   The oil, extracted from sunflower seeds, is rich in linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid), palmitic acid, and stearic acid, which are all components of healthy skin. The amount of linoleic acid in skin declines with age and can be stripped away by harsh soaps and cleansers.
• How to Use: Once or twice daily as a moisturizer for the body.
• Where to Buy? Available from: Amazon

Chantecaille Beauté: Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15

Ingredients: 

Water; Cyclopentasiloxane; Butylene Glycol; Noepentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate; Talc; Glycerin; Peg-10 Dimethicone; Dimethicone; Phenyl Trimethicone; Peg-400; Aluminum Hydroxide; Stearic Acid; Silica Dimethyl Silylate; Dimethicone/ Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer; Mica; Phenoxyethanol; Trimethylsiloxysilicate; Dextrin Palmitate; Tocopherol; Alumina; Alcohol; Rosa Damascena Flower Water; Leontopodium Alpinum Extract; Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Extract; Buddleja Davidii Extract; Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract; Algae Extract; Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract; Superoxide Dismutase; Sodium Dextran Sulfate; Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein; Sodium Benzoate; Ethylhexylglycerin; Potassium Sorbate; Titanium Dioxide; Iron Oxides

Why Use It? This is a tinted SPF product I have used for over 10 years.  The plant ingredients are not irritating to my skin. Rose damascene is a rare allergen.  It’s a bit pricy but one tube lasts me months. Remember if you use a tinted moisturizer with titanium as the SPF you get 3 products in one – coverage, UVL protection and physical protection from pollution with the titanium.  It saves you time and money.

Where to Buy It? Available at Chantecaille.com