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Could Rough Skin During Pollen Season Be an Allergic Reaction? Introducing countermeasures and recommended skin care items.

Could Rough Skin During Pollen Season Be an Allergic Reaction? Introducing countermeasures and recommended skin care items.
Supervision
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Japan Medical Specialist Organization; Board Certified Specialist, Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine, Doctor of MedicineRuka Hayashi

Graduated from Nippon Medical School in 2004. For about 10 years, she was in charge of a wide range of general plastic surgery, pediatric, and reconstructive fields at Keio University School of Medicine Plastic Surgery and affiliated hospitals. From 2015, she lived in Cambodia, Southeast Asia, for four and a half years, where she also engaged in clinical work in the region. After returning to Japan, she continued her practice in plastic surgery while gaining experience in dermatology and cosmetic dermatology, and opened LIKKA Skin Clinic in Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo in November 2024. She mainly treats local patients with both insured and uninsured approaches in order to address their familiar problems.

Surprisingly, many people say, “I feel that my skin is somewhat rough during hay fever season…”? In fact, it is said that pollen causes not only symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes, but also skin irritation, so it is necessary to take sufficient measures for skin care. In this issue, we will introduce some skin care tips and recommended items to be aware of in order to prevent rough skin caused by pollen!

Look for allergic reactions!

There are two main types of skin irritation caused by hay fever. ” pollen dermatitis,” which is an allergic reaction to pollen that causes skin irritation, and ” secondary damage skin irritation,” which is caused by the friction of masks and tissues and changes in sebum production.

What is pollen dermatitis?

Pollen dermatitis” is caused by an allergic reaction to pollen, and its main symptoms are itching, redness, rash, and dryness. Spring is said to be the season when the temperature changes significantly and the skin’s barrier function easily deteriorates. Pollen dermatitis is difficult to determine on one’s own and can worsen if left untreated, so it is important to see a specialist at a medical institution. It is important to see a specialist at a medical institution for treatment with topical medications prescribed by a doctor. The most effective measure you can take on your own is to prevent pollen from sticking to your skin. In addition to skin care, you should protect yourself from pollen by wearing masks, hats, and glasses. Also, if you hang your laundry outside to dry, pollen may adhere to it and pass through your clothes, damaging your clean skin. If you experience skin irritation due to seasonal changes, and if you think pollen is the cause, be aware of drying clothes indoors to prevent pollen from entering your home.

Pollen-induced skin irritation is not limited to spring. Many people are especially allergic to cedar and cypress, which are widely scattered in spring, but in summer, pollens of rice, mugwort, ragweed, and other species are scattered in autumn. The type of pollen that causes allergic reactions differs from person to person, so if you are suffering from unexplained seasonal skin problems, it is a good idea to get tested and check what allergies you have.

What is secondary damaging skin irritation?

Secondary damaging skin problems are skin problems that are also caused by a reduced barrier function, but they are not allergic reactions. When the skin’s barrier function is impaired, external stimuli such as friction from masks and tissues and excessive sebum secretion can lead to acne, dryness, and open pores. If acne always appears during the pollen season, it is most likely secondary skin irritation. For this one, since improvement can be expected by reviewing daily skin care, let’s focus on maintaining the balance between sebum and moisture in the skin. Friction and external irritation are major causes of rough skin, so it is important to reduce friction as much as possible by using masks and tissues made of soft materials.

Key points to prevent rough skin caused by pollenThoroughly follow the two basic skincare regimens of

To prevent and prevent rough skin caused by pollen, two basic skincare regimens, ” washing” and “moisturizing,” are extremely important. While selecting the right skincare items is important, the procedure to make the most of them is also a key point. Here we will explain the key points of skincare for rough skin caused by pollen!

1. wash your face gently to remove pollen as soon as you get home

First of all, it is recommended to wash your face as soon as you get home in order to wash off pollen adhering to your skin. If pollen remains on the skin for an extended period of time, it will invade deeper and deeper into the skin and cause inflammation, so a quick response is important. Also, in order to maintain the skin’s barrier function, it is a must to wash the skin gently with dense and voluminous foam to avoid irritating the skin as much as possible. Finally, carefully rinse with lukewarm water to ensure that there is no residue. In choosing a facial cleanser, it is recommended to choose one that does not contain a lot of surfactants, such as items labeled “for sensitive skin. Finally, it should be noted that it is best to bathe immediately after returning home if possible. Simply washing your face will be effective enough, but it is best to wash off all the pollen from your body, as there is a lot of pollen on your hair and other parts of your body as well.

After washing, moisturize your face to maintain the barrier function.

Pollen irritates the skin, making it extremely sensitive. The ideal skincare regimen during this period is to use additive-free and hypoallergenic moisturizers that do not contain ingredients that can irritate the skin. In addition, since skin tends to dry out more easily when the barrier function is impaired, it is also important to select a product with sufficient moisturizing power. For example, choose an item that contains ingredients with excellent moisturizing power, such as ceramide and hyaluronic acid, to provide plenty of moisture. Finally, remember to use a milky lotion or cream to lock in moisture and maintain the skin’s barrier function. Since there is a possibility that your favorite skincare items may suddenly become unsuitable for your skin, you should consider reviewing the products you use during the pollen season.

Next, we will introduce a selection of ” cleansing ” and ” moisturizing ” items by category that are effective in preventing rough skin caused by pollen. All are hypoallergenic and gentle on the skin, making them ideal for March and April, when pollen counts are high. Each item is explained in detail, so men who are suffering from rough skin should definitely refer to these items.

Recommended skin care items to prevent rough skin caused by pollenFacial cleanser category

Recommended face wash to prevent rough skin caused by pollen 1Carte HD moist foam face wash

No foaming required. Carte HD’s foaming face wash is a delight. The mild amino acid-based cleansing ingredients gently cleanse the face and leave the skin feeling refreshed even after washing. It also contains dipotassium glycyrrhizate, an active ingredient that prevents rough skin, keeping dry skin, which is prone to roughness, refreshed and ready to accept skincare after cleansing. It is also fragrance-free, colorant-free, alcohol (ethyl alcohol)-free, and hypoallergenic.

Find Carte HD Face Wash Foam (Official Amazon)

Find Carte HD Face Wash Foam (Rakuten Ichiba)

Recommended Face Wash for Rough Skin due to Pollen 2Minon Amino Moist Foaming Face Wash

This is also a pump type that comes out in foam from the start. It contains botanical amino acid-based cleansing ingredients that do not remove too much of the skin’s natural moisture, leaving skin moist and soft to the touch after washing. It is fragrance-free, colorant-free, mildly acidic, alcohol (ethyl alcohol) free, paraben-free, and UV absorber-free. This cleanser is especially recommended for those concerned about dryness, as it is even gentler than Carte HD introduced above.

Find Minon Amino Moist Foaming Facial Cleanser (Amazon Official)

Find Minon Amino Moist Facial Cleanser Foam (Rakuten Ichiba)

Recommended skin care items to prevent rough skin caused by pollenLotion category

Recommended lotion 1 to prevent rough skin caused by pollenETOVOS Moisturizing Lotion

ETOVOS is a brand that was born from the founder’s serious problems with adult acne and atopy, and as such, it offers skincare products that can be used comfortably even on sensitive skin. This moisturizing lotion uses plant-based ceramide (glucosylceramide) and also contains sodium hyaluronate to replenish skin moisture and support the barrier function. It is colorant-free, mineral oil-free, surfactant-free, alcohol-free, and paraben-free.

Find EtoVos Moisturizing Lotion (@cosme)

Find EtoVos Moisturizing Lotion (Amazon Official)

Recommended lotion for rough skin caused by pollen 2ACSEINE Moist Balancing Lotion

Born from dermatology, ACSEINE is a well-known skincare brand for sensitive skin and is loved by both men and women. In particular, the moisturizing power and ease of use of this lotion are well-received. The texture is as refreshing as water and penetrates deep into the keratinized skin layer. Its ceramide-like ingredients moisturize the skin, making it difficult for moisture to evaporate. It is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, colorant-free, alcohol (ethanol)-free, and non-comedogenic tested, and is recommended for gently treating sensitive skin.

Find Aksene Moist Balance Lotion (Amazon Official)

Recommended skin care items to prevent rough skin caused by pollenCream category

Recommended cream 1 to prevent rough skin caused by pollend program skin repair cream

For over 40 years d-program was created as a brand that incorporates Shiseido’s research on sensitive skin, which has continued for more than 40 years. The “Skin Repair Cream” is a product that has received overwhelming support from beauty experts, who say that it is “ideal for times when skin tends to fluctuate. Although the name “cream” is in the name, it is quite smooth to use, and its texture is not so different from that of a milky lotion. It locks in moisture deep within the stratum corneum, leaving the surface of the skin feeling moisturized without feeling sticky. It is also effective on already rough skin, as it contains tranexamic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate, which is effective against acne and redness.

Find d Program Skin Repair Cream (Official Amazon)

Find d Program Skin Repair Cream (@cosme)

2 recommended creams for rough skin caused by pollenLA ROCHE-POSAY Cicaplast Repair Cream B5+

La Roche-Posay is a French brand founded as a skin care brand for sensitive skin. This Cicaplast Repair Cream B5+ is supported all over the world, and it is one of the most popular in Japan, winning @cosme’s Bescos (2024) in the face cream category. In addition to moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, it contains anti-inflammatory deer ingredients and panthenol, which promotes skin repair. The texture is quite thick, so it is recommended to take a small amount and apply it gently. If you feel it is too heavy to apply to the entire face, you can pinpoint the areas where inflammation is occurring or where dryness is severe.

Find La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Repair Cream B5+ (Official Amazon)

Find La Roche Posay Cicaplast Repair Cream B5+ (@cosme)

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