Spring is often a season filled with hope, with the sun starting to come out more, plants blossoming and the temperature starting to rise. However, for many people (up to 20% of New Zealanders!) those blooming flowers also signal the start of the dreaded hay fever season.

With symptoms like coughing, sneezing, itching and sniffling, hay fever occurs when your immune system starts to perceive pollen, a harmless substance, as a threat and initiates an inflammatory immune response.

Looking at its effects on your skin, the arrival of pollen in the air can often trigger itching which can lead to a rash or even hives, as well as exacerbating other skin conditions you may have like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.

Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather so hay fever can start to feel like an inevitable part of the warmer seasons. But alongside any hay fever medication you have been prescribed, there is plenty you can do to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

Epiology’s range is specially formulated for sensitive skin, so it’s perfect for those suffering from seasonal allergies. The active ingredient in Epiology, IDP®, stands for Immune Defense Proteins which are isolated from fresh, pasteurised milk.

IDP® forms a powerful defensive shield against infection, penetrating deep into the pores of stubborn spots to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and reduce the redness and irritation – including itchy skin - that can come with hay fever.

To combat the dryness that scratching your skin can cause, the Epiology range contains another hero ingredient, glycerine, which helps hydrate the skin to leave it smooth, nourished and soft.

As well as using our 3 step range twice a day, you may feel that your skin needs some extra TLC to get back on track. Our Recovery Mask can help with this, as it’s designed to rescue and restore skin and protect against the effect of environmental free radicals.

It also contains an additional hydrating ingredient, hyaluronic acid, to keep your skin full of moisture. Hyaluronic acid is produced naturally by the skin to keep it soft and hydrated, but levels can take a dip as we age and as the skin deals with environmental aggressors.

When you’re going through your skincare routine, make sure to take extra care around your eyes, which can be particularly sore and puffy during hay fever season.

Other things you can do to help your skin when suffering from allergies include:

Wash your clothes, bedsheets and towels regularly, to prevent them harbouring bacteria that may irritate your skin

Work on maintaining a healthy, balanced diet full of fresh fruit and vegetables, so your skin receives a balance of proper nutrients

Allergy NZ also offers an annual pollen calendar, so you know what to look out for and when. Armed with that and our skin tips, hopefully you can get through hay fever season without too much trouble!