HOW TO TACKLE ‘HAY FEVER FACE’

I didn’t get hay fever until I was 38. All these years feeling smug when friends were suffering and one year, bam! My eyes were itching, my nose was streaming. The issue is that it hits in summer – wedding season, social butterfly season – but it doesn’t just cause a runny nose and tickly throat – it can cause streaming eyes and facial puffiness, too. Not great for socialising…

SO, HOW TO TACKLE IT?

Antihistamines block the response of the chemical histamine and particularly help with sneezing, itching and facial swelling but using iced facial tools – such as an ice roller or under-eye globes – helps to cool any irritation and reduce discomfort, as well as help to bring down any fluid retention which might be making your facial puffiness worse. I keep these in my freezer and OMG they are like actual heaven on a heavy hay fever day.

SHOP: FACIAL ICE GLOBES

Don’t have any to hand? Create a DIY cold compress. Take a handful of ice cubes, place them in a re-usable bag and wrap them in a washcloth, then place it across your eyes.

Choose your mascara with care. Waterproof formulas can be useful if your eyes often water, but I prefer tubing mascara which coats your lashes with individual polymer tubes. Beautypie’s Wrap Star Tubing Mascara is the one – smudge-proof & stays put even when eyes are streaming, but removes easily with warm water. 

SHOP: TUBING MASCARA

Try to create an occlusive barrier to prevent pollen from getting in in the first place. The Peep Club Eye Rescue Lidstick applied around the eyes, before make-up blocks out pollen grains, soothing sore, dry skin.

SHOP: EYE RESCUE LID STICK

Vaseline creates a physical barrier around the nostrils, effectively catching pollen particles that would otherwise enter your nasal passages. Applying a thin layer to the inside of your nostrils before going outside can help reduce hay fever symptoms. Not cutting it? Try Hay Max Pure. The organic allergen barrier balm has been proven to trap airborne allergens such as pet allergens and dust allergens and more than one third of pollen before pollen can get into the body.

SHOP: HAY MAX PURE BARRIER BALM

Prioritise gentle cleansing, cooling treatments and barrier-repair products. Rinse your face (and eyes) regularly with cool water – especially after being outdoors – to remove pollen and other allergens. Clean pillowcases also make the biggest difference. The Peep Club’s Instant Relief Eye Spray is handy to release swollen eyes.

SHOP: INSTANT RELIEF EYE SPRAY

Are your kids suffering? It can be tough as there’s not much they can take, but try this: Dr Nenniger Triple Allergy Defence is a homeopathic formula suitable for all ages, giving allergy relief from sneezing, runny nose, nasal and sinus congestion, itchy and watery eyes. Place a couple of drops under the tongue.

SHOP: TRIPLE ALLERGY DEFENCE SPRAY