Dr. Michelle Rodrigues (MBBS (Hons) FACD) is an Australian dermatologist based in Melbourne. She serves as a consultant dermatologist at several
of Melbourne’s leading public hospitals and consults privately
at Chroma Dermatology, Laser Dermatology and Peninsula Dermatology.
See how the marie claire team puts science-based beauty and wellness techniques to the test...
The science of SENSITIVE SKIN
Emily Gittany,
MARKET EDITOR
Dr Michelle Rodrigues,
Dermatologist
Jordan Boorman,
Junior Fashion Editor
Cassandra Green,
Senior Content Producer
Alex Bruce-Smith,
Digital Managing Editor
hen you understand skin sensitivity and the science behind it you can take better
Discover more of her
fascinating insights here
W
Sally Hunwick,
Beauty Director
LISTEN: Dr Rodrigues on caring for sensitive skin
“Oats basically bind to the skin and lock moisture in, giving it a better chance of rehydration because it moisturises the skin.
It can also soften and soothe dry, itchy skin. They can also help balance the pH and microbiome of the skin.”
How are colloidal oat products beneficial for sensitive skin?
What are essential products for sensitive skin?
“I think it's important to have
a really good gentle hydrating cleanser and body wash, and
a really good fragrance-free moisturiser for face and body.”
What should I look out for if I have dry or sensitive skin?
“Most importantly, whenever you're washing the skin, washing your hands or having a shower, make sure that the water is cool, showers are short and you're moisturising afterwards.”
The skin is the biggest organ
of the body, and it really does protect us from the elements
and it’s a barrier that needs to be strengthened and fortified.
DR MICHELLE RODRIGUES
”
“
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When skin is stressed and needs some extra special care it really pays to go gently. The Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash features a soap-free, pH-balanced, gentle cleanser to help soothe itchy, extra dry skin without disrupting your skin's natural moisture barrier. Follow up with the Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion, which instantly relieves dry, itchy and sensitive skin with long-lasting hydration for up to 72 hours*.
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Renew and resurface dry, rough and bumpy skin by removing dead skin cells with the Aveeno Skin Renewal range. The oat formula with natural plant-based exfoliators is formulated and clinically proven to refine uneven skin tone and texture without disrupting the skin's moisture barrier. The result? Softer and smoother skin. Available in a gentle Exfoliating Scrub and Smoothing Lotion.
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Dr Michelle Rodrigues,
dermatologist
Dr Michelle Rodrigues (MBBS (Hons) FACD)
is an Australian dermatologist based in Melbourne, globally renowned for her
expertise in pigmentary disorders, skin-of-colour dermatology and cultural humility in healthcare. She is the founder and director of Chroma Dermatology, Australia’s first dedicated dermatology centre for pigmentary disorders and skin of colour, is honorary senior lecturer
at The University of Melbourne and holds academic positions at The Royal Children’s Hospital and the Skin Health Institute.
SOOTHE and relieve dry, itchy skin
*after 4 weeks' continuous use
When you understand skin sensitivity
and the science behind it you can
take better care of yourself.
Dr Michelle Rodrigues
(MBBS (Hons) FACD)
care of yourself. Hear what the experts from the marie claire team and dermatologist Dr Michelle Rodrigues
have to say about science-based skincare and habits. From simplifying their go-to products to harnessing
the power of science-backed ingredients, their advice could revolutionise your daily routine
and change the way your skin feels.
Hear what the experts from the marie claire
team and dermatologist Dr Michelle Rodrigues
have to say about science-based skincare and habits. From simplifying their go-to products
to harnessing the power of science-backed ingredients, their advice could revolutionise your daily routine and change the way your skin feels.
Q: Why is it so important to use the right products for the right skin type and condition?
BACK
"Colloidal oats are regular oats, but really really finely ground to the point where they create a powder that cleans the skin"
[SOUNDBITE FROM DR COMING }
Regardless of the cause, sensitive skin on the face or body can be quite uncomfortable and should be treated gently. The thing I see most on a day-to-day basis is people describing sensitivity on the skin after the application of topical creams, lotions, sunscreens and other products. They may also experience flushing, burning, stinging and sometimes pimply-like rashes as well as background redness on the skin. The redness is very, very common, particularly here in Australia where the heat
and UV light are key drivers. When these reactions are just on the face it's known as rosacea. Fabrics, hot water and changes in temperature can also cause skin irritation.
I also see dry skin which in more serious
cases is known as eczema or atopic dermatitis. Patients that have dry or atopic dermatitis-type skin may notice breaks in the skin and itching. Some people develop scaly red rashes, or in people that have more richly pigmented skin, they might notice it as pigment or brown spots that appear on the skin in association with itching and discomfort.
Q: What are some of the common causes of sensitive skin?
Q: Do you look after a sensitive scalp the same way as sensitive skin?
Q: Are there any ingredients or products I should avoid if I have sensitive skin?
Q: What is important for sensitive skin when bathing, swimming or showering?
So basically, colloidal oats are regular oats
that have been really finely ground to the point where they create a powder that cleans the skin but isn't quite as harsh as soap-based products. When this is incorporated into skincare products like shampoos, conditioners, moisturisers, cleansers or soap substitutes,
it has a lot of benefits.
Q: What are colloidal oats?
For anyone with sensitive skin or scalp,
I always recommend hydrating and
moisturising cream-based cleansers or hydrating lotion-based cleansers or shampoos. Colloidal oat-based products for the scalp and skin are perfect because they are gentle and they return moisture, helping to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier.
Definitely avoid fragranced products and make sure you're not using soaps that will impact the skin's moisture barrier.
Fundamentally, I recommend to always try
to nourish the skin's moisture barrier and
fortify it, which means you should be moisturising the skin on a regular basis, particularly after any water or cleansing
activity. Popping the moisture back into the
skin is really important. Locking the moisture
in will help keep the good stuff in and the 'bad stuff' like bugs, allergens and pollutants out.
Emily Gittany,
market editor
“Gua sha is a traditional Chinese medicine technique which has been proven to increase circulation, collagen and also the elasticity of the skin. I have incorporated gua sha massage into my daily skincare routine and have been loving the results! For me this has been super helpful,
as I wake up some mornings with puffiness around my eyes and cheeks.
By incorporating this simple technique
a couple of minutes a day I've already decreased the puffiness and seen an improvement in my skin overall. It has helped to increase my confidence, as
I don’t feel the need to wear foundation to work anymore. Definitely try it out as
it is really easy and quick.”
“Science shows that staying hydrated
increases the blood flow to the skin, making it look healthier and giving it
a glow. Apparently it can also even out skin tone and complexion. Sadly, I'm often at shoots and get so busy and run off my feet that I forget to drink
a lot of water and really don't think much of it. I put the theory to the test and committed to drinking twice my normal amount of water for a week.
It was tough! But the results were actually obvious. My skin looked more glowing and I didn't feel as fatigued at the end of a shoot day as I sometimes feel. It's a beauty no-brainer!”
Jordan Boorman,
junior fashion editor
Cassandra Green,
senior content producer
“Life is supposed to be busy, filled with
all the things you love, but if you don’t get enough sleep, it can take a serious toll on your visage. A 2014 study by the British Association of Dermatologists found that good sleepers had significantly lower intrinsic skin ageing scores and better skin barrier function. This means getting your additional slumber can help the skin remain resilient and a little more youthful over time. So I decided to try and get a minimum eight hours a night for a whole week. As someone with a million thoughts going through my head at night, I lit a candle and did my skincare routine in ambient lighting, before listening to some rain sounds to help me drift off to my ‘beauty sleep’. It worked a treat and after a week I felt so much better.”
We challenged our editorial team members to trial a science-backed strategy to improve their skin.
“I went for an approach of 'simplifying'
my skincare. I was using way too much at once so I tried stripping back from actives. My skin had been going a bit haywire so I stopped almost everything except a moisturising serum and sunscreen (in the AM) and a gentle cleanser and moisturiser in the evening. It’s definitely improved, and I’m going to start looking to reintroduce a few things back in, but slooooowly.”
Alex Bruce-Smith,
digital managing editor
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“It’s so tempting to take a long, hot shower during these cooler months so I'm trying
to be more mindful of how long I expose my skin to hot water. It can damage the outer layer of skin cells, preventing them from locking in moisture. I'm combining
this with my new favourite in the shower - Aveeno's Skin Renewal Exfoliating Scrub - which is perfect for gently buffing away
any roughness or bumps on my skin.
In just one week, I felt that my skin
was soft, smooth and nourished.”
Sally Hunwick, marie claire beauty director
Shower better
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