Guess what? A
gorgeous complexion is totally within your reach! Alessandra Steinherr breaks
it down…
We all want perfect
skin. And to get it we’re prepared to buy into the latest hyped-up ingredient
or celebrity-endorsed miracle product that costs a week’s wages. Too much
(mis)information, too many products, too much confusion… the more advanced
skincare gets, the harder it is to work out what you should be using. It’s
enough to make you revert to basic soap and water, but that’s not the road to
great skin either. Over the following pages, we sort out your skincare woes
once and for all. The bottom line is, with the right advice, anyone can get a
better complexion. And no, you won’t need to give your credit card a thumping
for it.
The new rules of
skin care
It’s not just
about your skin type
Experts agree that
while categorising your skin (oily, dry, etc) still applies, you shouldn’t base
your entire routine on it. “Your skin type determines whether you should use
formulas containing more or fewer emollients [which increase skin hydration] and
what type of emollients,” says plastic surgeon Dr. Marko Lens. “But you also
need to target your concerns, such as ageing, acne or discolouration.” As a
general rule, “Choose your cleanser and mosturiser according to your skin type,
and your specialised treatment products to target your issues,” says consultant
dermatologist Dr. Nick Lowe.
Blemish & Wrinkle
Reducer, $92
And take into account
your ethnicity. “Your skin’s photo-type governs how you are likely to age,”
says Dr. Lowe. “Olive and darker skins age more in terms of discolouration and
sagging. Lighter skins’ signs of ageing are mainly wrinkling and redness.”
Top treatments:
Ease redness with
Keep The Peace Super Soothing Moisturizer $58 Philosophy, and fight fine lines
and early signs of ageing with 6-in-1 Superboost Moisture Lotion $16 Soap
&Glory. Target pigmentation with Life Radiance Double Radiance Cream $72
decleor.co.uk and improve lines and acne-prone skin with Blemish & Wrinkle
Reducer $92 murad.co.uk.
Cleanse,cleanse,
cleanse at night!
It might seem
obvious, but poor cleasing is still a common mistake. “Leaving make-up on when
you go to bed blocks pores, which results in bacteria build-up (hello
breakouts!), generates free radicals and leads to collagen breakdown,” says
dermatologist Dr.Dennis Gross. Clean skin enables products such as serums and
creams to deliver their full benefits. The best way to cleanse? “Massage in
your cleanser thoroughly and remove with damp muslin cloths,” says facialist
Linda Palcic. “If in doubt, wipe over with toner afterwards, as leaving behind
any residue can be as bad as not cleansing at all.”
Super washes:
Advanced Skin Therapy Anti-Bac Skin Wash $40 eve-taylor.com; Clean + Prepare
$86.50 drfrancesprennajones.com; Daily Essentials Refreshing Facial Wash Gel
$5.50 Nivea Visage.
Reach for Serum
As the serums are
mostly water-based, the active ingredients penetrate faster than lotions or
creams, giving skin a turbo-boost. And why address just one concern – the new
multi-serums improve lines, uneven texture and pores all in one formula.
Hero serums:
Perfectionist Wrinkle Lifting Serum $99.50 esteelauder.co.uk; Visionnaire Advanced
Skin Corrector $92 lancome.co.uk; Youth Code Serum $40 L’Oréal Paris; Forever
Youth Liberator Serum $96 YSL.
Be supplement smart:
When it comes to
ageing, taking a supplement helps “because many nutrient levels deplete with
age,” says Shabir Daya, pharmacist at victoria health.com. Not sure which to
choose? Look out for antioxidants (which help counteract environmental damage),
hyaluronic acid and anti-inflammatories.
3 supplements we love:
·
High
Potency Astaxanthin $27.5 – Futurebiotics is a potent antixiodant, anti-inflammatory
and collagen-boosting supplement.
·
Youth
$105 beautyworkwest.com contains a trio of amino acids and marine plant
extracts to boost skin repair and reduce the signs of ageing.
·
Hyaluronic
Acid Hight Strength $56 NHS Labs is the most crucial of all anti-agers,
according to Daya. “Studies have shown that hyaluronic acid improves skin
hydration, stimulates collagen production, maintains elasticity, has an
anti-bacterial and anti-imflammatory function and works as an
antioxidant.”
Don’t forget your facials
No longer just a
glorified cleanse, facials have a real effect. “The technology available is now
so advanced, facials have become a viable and safe alternative to surgery,”
says Linda Palcic. “Skilled derma-aestheticians can treat most skin conditions
and do much more than just unblock blackheads.” The benefits are not just on
the surface, adds Marie Reynolds, international lead educator for Eve Taylor
Aromatherapy. “A good treatment raises the ATP [adenosphine triphosphae] in
skin cells, which energises them and raises levels of serotonin [the ‘happy
neurotransmitter’]. “She recommends a facial every four to six weeks. Not
realistic right now? No worries, you can maintain results with one of these
pro-grade at-home masks.
Wonder
masks:
Fabulous Skin
Reviving Rubberizing Mask $56 Bliss, Deep Exfoliating Mask $94.50 drsebagh.com;
The Hydrating Facial $290 Crème de la Mer; Visibly Clear 2-in-1 Wash Mask $8
Neutrogena.
