Is it me or skin tends to get SO red in winter?
I’m not talking about the pinkish flush you get after a brisk walk in the park. That’s kinda cute.
I’m talking about irritation. The harsh winter weather breaks down your skin’s defences, letting all kinds of germs and irritants have a field day on your skin and irritate it like hell. Next thing you know, your skin’s all red.
How the heck do you deal with this kind of winter redness?!
It’s easier than you think. ‘Tis the time to switch to richer creams loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients.
While the richer textures strengthen your skin’s protective barrier, anti-inflammatory ingredients bring down the redness a notch or two.
The perfect example – and the moisturizer that I’m using at the moment – is Bioderma Sensibio AR:
What’s In Bioderma Sensibio AR?
MINERAL OIL TO MOISTURISE AND PROTECT SKIN
What if I told you mineral oil is the best oil for sensitive skin prone to flareups? I know, crazy – but true. Hear me out here.
Plant oils are complex. A plant has plenty of goodies, like antioxidants and fatty acids, that give it its antiaging and moisturising properties.
But plants have a dark side too. I’m talking about fragrant components and other toxins plants need to keep predators away so they won’t get eaten and die.
When you use a plant oil, you get both the good parts and the bad parts of the plant. Plus – depending on how the oil was made – pollen, pollutants and other allergens that settled on the plant while it was growing in the fields.
The bad parts and added allergens often trigger a rash or flareup in sensitive skin. It’s why so many of you can’t use natural skincare without experiencing a negative reaction.
Compare plants oils with Cosmetic Grade Mineral Oil that’s made in sterilised labs and is completely free of toxins, fragrance and allergens. Do you see now why Bioderma Sensibio AR uses mineral oil?
But, wait… isn’t mineral oil full of toxins too?
Nope. Cosmetic Grade Mineral Oil – the only type of mineral oil allowed in skincare products – undergoes a strict purifying process that gets rid of ALL toxins and impurities.
It’s safe and super moisturising. It creates a barrier on the skin that keeps moisture in and germs out. In other words, it moisturises skin and strengthens the protective barrier against attacks from germs, pollutants, winter weather and anything else that wants to harm it.
Now your skin is better able to withstand their attacks, it heals faster and is less prone to irritations.
Related: Is Mineral Oil Really Bad For Skin?
GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN
Keeping moisture in the skin is all well and good – if moisture is there in the first place!
That’s where glycerin comes in. It’s a moisture magnet that attracts moisture from the deeper layers of your skin and from the air, and dumps it into the most superficial layers.
Your skin then uses that moisture to soften its texture, plump up fine lines and wrinkles so they look smaller and give the complexion a dewy glow.
Bioderma Sensibio AR is loaded with glycerin to give your skin a huge moisture boost.
Related: Why Is Glycerin In All My Skincare Products?!
SKIN-SOOTHERS TO CALM DOWN IRRITATIONS
Moisturizing skin is one way to soothe and prevent redness. If germs & co can’t break down your skin’s protective barrier, you’re less likely to get an irritation… and the redness that comes along with it.
But Bioderma Sensibio AR didn’t leave it at that. The cream is also loaded with soothing ingredients that fight inflammation, calm down skin and bring down the redness a notch or two. The main ones are:
- Allantoin: It soothes, moisturises, exfoliates and heals skin
- Ginko biloba: A powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties
- Green tea: A powerful antioxidant that soothes redness, fights free radicals and helps protect skin from sun damage
If you have rosacea or any kind of redness in your skin, these skin-soothers are a must.
Related: Allantoin: The Soothing Ingredient You Didn’t Know Your Skin Needed
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that banishes dryness and makes your skin supple and dewy? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Texture
Bioderma Sensibio AR has a thickish texture that sinks in quickly into my dry skin without leaving any greasy residue behind.
Fragrance
It’s fragrance-free.
How To Use It
In the AM, in between serum and sunscreen. At night, it’s the last step of your skincare routine.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Remember when I told you Bioderma Sensibio AR sinks quickly into the skin? Note that I’ve said DRY skin. If yours is oily, you may find this a little greasy and too rich for your skin type.
If you still want to use it, use it at night. It won’t work that well under makeup for you.
Its richness means it does a wonderful job at moisturising skin. I remember my first winter in London. After a week of commuting, my skin was a flaky mess. Now I can spend hours outdoors without it taking a toll on my skin.
The moisturiser makes my skin’s protective barrier stronger so the colder winter weather can’t dry it out. Plus, it keeps moisture into my skin, so my face stays soft and supple all day.
But does it reduce redness? Yes – to an extent. The top of my cheeks gets a little red in winter and the cream toned it down a bit.
Granted, it didn’t make it disappear overnight – but then I didn’t expect it to. Skincare ain’t magic. But it does help reduce it. Â With consistent you use, you can make the redness become almost invisible.
Who Is This For?
Dry, sensitive skin.
Who Is This NOT For?
Oily, acne-prone skin.
Packaging
A sleek and minimalistic white tube with pink accents. Pretty and practical.
Does Bioderma Sensibio AR Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Prevents and reduces the intensity of redness. | True. |
| Soothes. | True. |
| Moisturises. | True. |
Price & Availability
$24.90/£15.50 at Dermstore and Feel Unique
Do You Need It?
If you have dry, sensitive skin, this is a great option to consider.
Dupes & Alternatives
- Avene Skin Recovery Cream ($35.00)
Ingredients
Aqua/Water/Eau, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Glycerin, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Glycol Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Canola Oil, Triceteareth-4 Phosphate, Fructooligosaccharides, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Laminaria Ochiroleuca Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Glycine Soya (Soybean) Germ Extract, Allantoin, Ginko Biloba Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycol Stearate, PEG-2 Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide
