S.O.S PROTOCOL – EXTREMELY SENSITIVE SKIN

 

🛡️ Repair, Deep Hydration & Immediate Relief in 5 Steps

If your skin is in crisis — red, irritated, tight, or flaky — it’s time to activate the S.O.S Protocol. This intensive routine is designed especially for extremely sensitive or compromised skin with three main goals:

👉 Restore the skin barrier
👉 Deeply hydrate
👉 Reduce inflammation

Recommended use: Once a day for 3 to 7 days, preferably at night.

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✅ STEP 1 – Ultra-Gentle Cleansing (0 Abrasion)

Sensitive skin needs minimal-stress cleansing with no harsh actives or friction.

🔹 Recommended products:

• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser

• Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant

🔸 How to use:
Apply gently and remove with a cotton pad soaked in warm water. Do not rub!

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✅ STEP 2 – Soothing Mist or Toner (optional)

Optional, but helpful step. Thermal mists calm redness and prepare the skin for treatment.

🔹 Options:

• Avène Eau Thermale Spray

• La Roche-Posay Serozinc

Lightly mist over the face and let it dry naturally.

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✅ STEP 3 – Hydrating Repair Serum

Now it’s time to infuse the skin with hydrating and barrier-repairing actives.

🔹 Suggested serums:

• The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum

• Bioderma Hydrabio Serum

• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Serum → great for sensitivity flare-ups

🔸 How to apply:
Use 1–2 pumps. Pat gently into skin. Let absorb for 2–3 minutes.

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✅ STEP 4 – Wrapping Technique with Cream or Mask

This is the core of the protocol. Wrapping creates a temporary barrier that boosts the penetration of calming and hydrating actives.

Option A – Ceramide Cream + Plastic Film

🔹 Effective creams:

• Benton Ceramide Cream 10000 ppm

• Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream

• Cicaplast Baume B5+ (La Roche-Posay) → perfect for redness, mild irritation, or post-procedure skin

🔸 How to do it:
Apply a generous layer of cream. Cover with plastic wrap (PVC) cut to fit the face, avoiding the nose and mouth.
Leave on for 15–30 minutes, resting in a calm environment.
Remove the film and gently massage in the excess or wipe with damp gauze.

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Option B – Sheet Mask + Plastic Occlusion

🔹 Recommended calming sheet masks:

• Mediheal N.M.F Intensive Hydrating Mask

• Avène Soothing Sheet Mask

Apply the mask and lightly cover with plastic wrap to enhance absorption (leave space to breathe).
Leave on for 20 minutes.

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✅ STEP 5 – Finishing Touch (if needed)

If your skin still feels tight, finish with:

🔹 A light extra layer of the cream used in the wrapping step
OR
🔹 A non-comedogenic calming oil, such as:

• Borage oil

• Rosehip oil

• Squalane oil

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⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTES

During the protocol:

🚫 Avoid acids, exfoliants, and vitamin C
🚫 Avoid alcohol or sulfate-based cleansers
🚫 Stop using makeup until your skin improves
✅ Prefer doing this at night, in a clean, quiet space

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💡 BONUS TIP – Body Version of the Protocol

Areas like the chest, arms or legs can also benefit!

🔹 Suggested products:

• CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

• Uriage Xémose Cerat

🔸 How to apply:
Apply a thick layer and wrap the area with plastic body wrap or thermal blanket.
Leave on for 30–40 minutes.

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🌿 Conclusion

The S.O.S Protocol is more than just skincare — it’s an emergency strategy to rescue your skin. With consistency, the right products, and some rest, your skin can be calm, hydrated, and resilient again.

If symptoms persist, consult a dermatologist.