Pollen Allergies and Your Skin: How to Protect Your Skin in Spring

Spring is the transition from winter to summer. During this time, you may notice changes in your skin and body. Pollen in particular can give you a runny nose, make you sneeze, and make your eyes water.

How does pollen affect your skin? It can cause redness, irritation, dryness, and itching. A pollen allergy can show up on your skin in all of these ways. So what should you do? How can you deal with spring skin problems?

1. Keep your skin clean.
2. Avoid heavy makeup products.
3. Strengthen your skin barrier.
4. Use allergy-friendly skincare products that suit your skin type.

How Does a Pollen Allergy Affect Your Skin?

A pollen allergy can trigger some sensitive reactions on the skin: redness, itching, irritation, and a burning sensation. It can also lead to blotchiness from redness, a dull-looking complexion, puffiness and redness around the eyes, and swelling in the face.

What Are the Most Common Problems for Skin with Pollen Allergies?

• A pollen allergy encourages redness. Your skin warms up and starts to get irritated.
• Itching comes with a stinging sensation.
• Because your skin loses moisture, it becomes dry and may even crack.
• Pores can get clogged.
• Your skin's surface can feel bumpy and rough.
• Redness and blotches can leave your skin tone uneven.
• Your skin's moisture balance can be thrown off.

Why Is Skin More Sensitive in the Spring?

Spring is a season of transformation and renewal, so your skin tries to keep up with the change as well. Pollen floats through the air and comes into contact with your skin. Sensitive, allergy-prone skin may develop redness and irritation, and itching can start along with the irritation.

Your skin's balance can be disrupted in the spring. When that happens, your skin reacts until it finds its balance again, and you can feel the effects of spring allergies on your skin. During this time, using products that strengthen your skin barrier is important for your skin's health.

What Should Your Skincare Look Like If You Have Pollen Allergies?

In spring, your skin needs protection. Calming your skin is key to preventing burning, stinging, itching, redness, and irritation. In a spring routine for sensitive skin, products with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol help strengthen your skin barrier. Cleansing with clean-formula products helps keep your pores clear. Water-based moisturizers won't weigh your skin down.

What Should You Keep in Mind When Wearing Makeup with Pollen Allergies?

If you have a pollen allergy, your skin is sensitive. You're probably sneezing constantly and your eyes keep watering. With all of that in mind, we'll talk about what to watch out for when you do your makeup. These allergy-and-makeup tips will help your makeup stay as fresh as when you first applied it:

• Since your eyes will water, we recommend using waterproof mascara and eyeliner.
• Because your skin loses its moisture balance, use soothing moisturizers, ideally ones with aloe vera.
• Choose lightweight foundations.
• Stay away from products with alcohol and fragrance.
• Cut back on powder products.
• Clean your makeup brushes and sponges regularly.
• Make cleansing a priority.
• Choose water-based, lightweight cosmetics.
• Don't use too much product in your eye makeup.

How Can You Protect Your Skin from Pollen in Everyday Life?

Here are a few tips to help protect your skin from pollen:

• Use a BB cream instead of a matte foundation.
• Keep your eye makeup light.
• Don't scratch or touch your skin too much.
• Use clean-formula products.
• Cleanse your skin when you wake up.
• Never go to bed without removing your makeup.
• Avoid heavy cosmetic products.

What Are the Most Common Skin Mistakes with Pollen Allergies?

• Exfoliating your skin during a pollen allergy flare-up,
• Leaving your skin dry,
• Using products with fragrance and alcohol,
• Using a matte-finish foundation,
• Using powder products,
• Not cleansing your skin.