Soothing solutions for sensitive skin

SOME “NATURAL” IS BETTER THAN OTHERS

From brightening coffeeberry serums to soothing green-tea moisturizers, natural is marketable. Believing anything natural has got to be good for you, Americans spent $62 billion on the stuff
last year. But the fact is, flora-based scrubs made from abrasive fruit pits can be irritating, too. If sensitivity is your major concern, these are the ingredients you should be looking for:

• Rose and lavender work wonders in calming inflammation, according to Michele VanLandingham, ingredient information specialist for
  Dr. Hauschka Skin Care.
• New York dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross suggests seeking out soothing chamomile derivatives, natural toners like witch hazel, and gentle exfoliators like blueberry seeds.
• Dr. Kay Baxter, a U.K. dermatologist who tends to recommend “bland, unfragranced, nonbotanical products” to patients, uses organic aloe vera on sensitive skin.
• For extreme inflammation cases, Manhattan dermatologist Dr. Diane Berson recommends a compress of milk, water, and ice to combat itching and burning.