The Bite Magazine - issue 16

T he brand La Roche-Posay has everything a sensitive skin needs to survive in our polluted world. Formulated to help with the discomfort of dry, itchy skin, the range contains the minimum and most soothing ingredients to cope with allergies. Sensitivity in the skin can be triggered by various factors, such as skin inflammatory conditions like eczema, rosacea or acne, or external factors like weather conditions - excess of cold or warm weather, medications, hormonal issues and diet habits. People that suffer from asthma or hay fever may also develop sensitive skin conditions. It is still not fully understood what causes sensitive skin or the reasons why it is such an issue in developed countries. Researches indicated that it could be caused by increased activity of the skin nerves, combined with thinner skin textures which cause the skin to react and be easily irritated. The symptoms of sensitive skin are manifested by a feeling of itching, almost burning, sensation, flaky and dry skin with redness especially around the nose and cheek areas. Occasionally there is a lot of dryness also in the scalp or a specific area of the body. Many of those issues are aggravated by the daily use of cos- metics products, such as shower/bath gels, or skin care rich in chemicals and nasty ingredients.The Toleriane range is fully dedicated to restore health and alleviate the discomfort of sensitive skin. Free from fragrances, parabens, alcohol and colourants, Toleriane Ultra is clinically proven to make sensitive skin less irritable and has also won the seal of approval by Allergy UK. The main reason for its incredible results is the nature of its unique composition rich in the antioxidant Sele- nium. This natural ingredient is obtained by spring water of which the products are made from. The water comes from a small village in western France called La Roche-Pasay. The thermal water, derived from rain water filtered through the chalky rocks of the regional area, are rich in Selenium.Together with the deep water, it dates over 1700 years old and has created rare reserves of Selenium which is one of the skin’s essential defense mechanisms especially benefi- cial to combat free radicals and other damages such as by UV lights. The spring water has a pure, almost neutral PH balance and all its components remain intact as there is no processing during the filtering of the water, allowing its components to remain intact and its prop- erties unchanged.The thermal spring water is so pure that La Roche-Posay was declared a spa town by the French Academy of Medicines during Louis XIII’s and it was in 1928 that it was launched as a company where patients with eczema and acne where treated with the thermal spring water. Considering that the spring water was discovered by a knight during the Spanish campaigns when his horse, suffering from eczema, splashed in the water and emerged totally cured, or so the legend says, it does makes you wonder how special this water must have been then, but the idea of having a water so pure and rich in essential minerals is very appealing not only to sensitive skin sufferers but also to anyone loving natural and pure ingredi- ents rather than harsh chemicals. Toleriane Ultra has a vast range of skin care dedicated to this issue, and in particular the most recommended products to use are the basics daily skin care routine starting from a gentle cleanser to a daily moisturiser, eye cream and body lotion to finish with. TOLERIANE ULTRA COLLECTION It is not just the richness of its minerals and the gentle, soothing effect of the products that renders apprecia- tion and love for this brand. Reason of choice lays with how skin becomes sensitive during the summer times when exposed to strong sunbathing and therefore to UV lights.Travelling abroad for the summer holidays it is fantastic for sun intake for the moral and the bones, but when it comes to skin it’s a different matter. I have a tendency to burn very quickly regardless how little I spend in the sun and how high the SPF is, normally 50. The results are very often the same, a burning skin and very irritable due to the sea water. I end up spending days covered up under sun screen to avoid further damage.With this in mind it was the perfect skin routine choice to carry with me and try it out when needed. Dermo-Cleanser The cleanser is ideal for all situations of dry and sensitive skin. The lotion is very fluid and is great as an eye make-up remover. Ever so gentle, the Der- mo-Cleanser does not need to be removed with cotton; just simply washing it off with water is enough without rubbing. A perfect start to a great skin care routine. Ultra Fluid Moisturizer Toleriane Ultra Fluid is great for sensitive skin whether it is normal or combination. Smooth and soft to the touch, the fluid delivers an immediate sense of fresh- ness, calming and soothing feel to the skin. Clinically proven to make skin less sensitive day by day, while reducing the appearance of redness and in my case it was priceless to apply before make-up. Contour Eye Cream This eye cream is amazing, as not only does it refresh the delicate skin around the eye area, but it is a great way to soothe the eyes especially when suffering from eczema, hay fever or allergies. I found it very hard to apply eye make-up after sun exposure or after using the pool, and the Toleriane eye cream was a blessing in disguise. It is also great if you’re wearing contact lenses as it is a non-oily fluid and very refreshing indeed. As well as these products, there is also the Toleri- ane Ultra Overnight Care and Toleriane Rich for very dry skin. Available at: www.laroche-posay.co.uk ; www.boots.com ; www.garden.co.uk ; and www.pharmacyathand.co.uk bite beauty