Skin Health Magazine Issue #12 / Summer-Autumn 2019 | Page 33

Q&A ASK OUR THERAPISTS O ur team are here to share their extensive skin care knowledge with you in every issue and this time, they’re talking acids, sunburn and cleansing. What are the best ingredients to soothe sunburn? No matter how careful we are, sometimes our skin just catches the sun for a little too long, leaving it looking red and feeling sore. The best thing to help limit the lasting damage is to reduce the temperature of the skin with a cold compress and use calming skin care products made with ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid and Chamomile extracts. Avoid thick creams and balms as these can suffocate the skin and make a burn worse. Stick to light gels and lotions instead. Is there a difference between Poly- Hydroxy Acids (PHAs) and Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)? Both of these acids are expert exfoliators and work their magic by loosening the bonds holding dead cells onto the surface of the skin. The main difference between them is their molecular size. AHAs are smaller in size so they can penetrate the surface of the skin pretty quickly, which is why they tingle when you apply them. PHAs are larger in size and can’t penetrate too far into the skin, so they do most of their work at the surface. This makes them easier for sensitive skin to tolerate compared to AHAs, plus they possess antioxidant and humectant qualities which keep the skin moisturised. What kind of cleanser should I use in the morning? There are so many different cleansers that it can become overwhelming choosing a formula for your skin. Generally, your morning cleanse doesn’t need to be as thor- ough as your evening cleanse, as you only have to remove any surface oils, sweat and leftover product from your skin. While the texture of your cleanser depends on your skin type, one that refreshes and purifies the skin is ideal, leaving it feeling awake and prepped for the rest of your morning routine. ISSUE #12 | 2019 | SkinHealthMagazine.com 33