When met with dust, heat, or even stress, my skin can start to crawl with an unbearable itch. After experimenting with hundreds of facial cleansers and body washes over the years, angry red patches still show up randomly on my face and body.
There’s no escape from skin irritation even while I’m working from home. I turn on the air-conditioning to cool off from the insufferable heat. But after being cooped up in a cold room for hours, my skin starts to dry out and an itch starts to creep up again. It takes ages to put out the fire, no matter how much lotion I spam on my limbs.
Just when I thought I’d throw in the towel, my editor asked if I would like to try Bioderma’s Atoderm Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil (Huile de douche) on my face and body for a week, along with Bioderma’s Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Balm (PP Baume) on my body. Keep reading to find out if the duo was able to soothe my dry, itchy skin.
About Bioderma Atoderm Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil
Bioderma Atoderm Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil also comes in a limited edition 200ml bottle
Since I don’t always know what triggers a reaction on my skin, the best thing I can do is use products that help create a stronger skin barrier. And that’s exactly what Bioderma’s Atoderm Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil aims to do.
Ceramides are fat molecules that fortify the skin barrier, protecting it from environmental aggressors — an essential element that’s missing for those with dry skin, like me. This is why both the Atoderm Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil and Ultra-Nourishing Balm contain vitamin PP, also known as niacinamide.
You may have seen skincare junkies talking about niacinamide enthusiastically in social media reviews and forum discussions. This is because the ingredient has been proven to stimulate the production of ceramides while bumping up the skin’s moisture levels.
The cleansing oil is also made with plant-based biolipids derived from coconut and sunflower, which help to soothe any skin discomfort. With those benefits in mind, I couldn’t wait to see how my skin would look and feel after a week.
First impressions of the Bioderma Atoderm Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil
“Cleansing oil? Doesn’t that mean it’ll make your skin oily?” my nosy mum asked. Not at all. When I pumped a good amount of Bioderma’s Atoderm Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil on my hands for the first time, the rich, gel-like texture surprised me.
It produced a delicate lather when introduced to water, and it washed off easily. The cleansing oil has a light, fresh fragrance that’s pleasant too — something I’ll look forward to every morning and night. After towelling off, the skin on my face and body didn’t feel dry or tight as it usually would. All I needed was a light layer of moisturiser on my face.
I didn’t have to follow up with a body lotion, but I went ahead and applied the Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Balm all over my body. Despite being quite a thick cream, it absorbed quickly into my skin without leaving a greasy or sticky feel. This means there wouldn’t be much downtime between application and throwing on an outfit in the morning. My skin felt instantly nourished, so I could go about my day comfortably.
After 3 days
After three days, I started to see an improvement in my skin – and my mood. My face no longer felt tight and dry post-cleanse. Daily showers have become a breeze with Bioderma’s Atoderm Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil too. My skin felt softer and I’ve been getting fewer flare-ups throughout the day. That way, I was able to focus on my work instead of scratching away at my neck, chest, or limbs for hours.
When I feel an itch coming, I reach for the Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Balm. I keep it at my desk so I can reapply the cream on targeted areas. A light layer of this helps to calm my rashes down, like a weighted blanket on an anxious child. With these two products in my routine, my skin felt more hydrated and much less irritable.
After 1 week
After diligently using these products for a week, I feel much more comfortable in my own skin (literally). Bioderma’s Atoderm Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil rids my skin of dirt and impurities, but it does so in the gentlest way.
Instead of rough and parched patches, my face now feels smooth to the touch. As you can see, my skin doesn’t appear as flushed or irritated as it used to. I’m glad I look less like a tomato and more like a human.
Red blotches on my body used to stand out starkly on my neck and chest, but after using the cleansing oil, they’ve been significantly reduced. My arms and legs also feel smoother now that they’re not covered in bumps and scratches.
The biggest difference I felt was definitely the lack of an itching sensation, and that’s thanks to the tag team of products. The Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Balm still sits beside me at my desk. It eases my skin within minutes, which is a godsend for those who have sporadic flare-ups throughout the day.
I’ve tried plenty of skincare products that have produced dismal results. But with the Bioderma Atoderm Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil and Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Balm, it was a pleasant surprise.
Why Bioderma Atoderm Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil is perfect for dry, itchy skin
Mild cleansing agents are what make Bioderma’s Atoderm Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil so gentle. They don’t strip the skin of moisture or weaken the skin’s barrier. The cleansing oil is further boosted by Skin Barrier Therapy, a patented formulation that prevents the S.aureus bacteria, a skin irritant, from sticking to your skin.
The formula is also rich in vitamin PP to help stimulate the production of ceramides, which keeps your skin barrier strong and hydrated. Your skin will be able to better resist irritants like dust, harsh weather, or even makeup products you’re low-key reactive to.
Since it soothes the skin, Bioderma’s Atoderm Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil can be used on your face and body, seven days a week, twice a day. Just lather it up on wet skin and rinse. This cleansing oil is great for the whole family, and suitable for infants too.
For even better results, follow up with the Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Balm. It deeply nourishes the skin and replenishes its moisture levels, so you’ll experience less dryness with continued use.
Bioderma Atoderm Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil retails at S$18.90 (200ml) and S$39.90 (1L) each, while Bioderma Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Balm retails at S$25.90 (200ml) and S$49.90 (500ml) each. Available at Guardian and Watsons stores online.
Disclaimer: Results may vary depending on individual skin type and concerns.
