1. Do I really need to moisturise my oily skin?
Simple answer…yes! Just because your skin has excess oils doesn’t mean that it has enough water. It will still need a lightweight moisturizer that can keep your skin hydration levels up. Opt for an oil free moisturizer packed with botanicals to hydrate and refine. I love Dermalogica Active Moist 50ml £26.75. It’s packed with plant extracts that help improve skin texture and combat surface dehydration. Don’t be tempted by teen spot fighting products, as they can be full of artificial colour and fragrance that could aggravate oily skin further.
2. Be sun smart
Just because the sun isn’t shining it doesn’t mean that you’re safe from the UV rays. UV rays are present even on the most overcast days so be sun safe everyday by protecting it with SPF. Make sure it’s a broad spectrum SPF to protect you from UVA and UVB rays. My top tip though is antioxidant vitamins. They are vital to help defend skin from free radicals that are generated from sun exposure. Dermalogica moisturisers are the easiest way to incorporate SPF into your routine as they all feature an SPF of at least 20.
3. How many times should I cleanse?
Have you ever noticed that your hairstylist always shampoos your hair twice and how clean your scalp and hair feel afterwards? Double cleansing isn’t just for your hair. For skin that feels as though it’s been professionally cleaned everyday, I recommend cleansing twice, both morning and evening. Long lasting and waterproof makeup, combined with environmental debris and pollution mean that a single cleanse often doesn’t cut it.
4. What not to wear
Do you feel like you are investing in great skincare but you’re still experiencing blackheads and bumps under the surface of your skin? It might be worth taking a closer look at the ingredients in your makeup as they may be contributing to the problem. Artificial colours commonly used in makeup are well known culprits for causing blocked pores and breakouts. Liquid items such as foundations or highlighters may contain mineral oils, which hamper the skins ability to shed dead skin cells. Look for makeup that uses natural earth and mineral pigments and of course, remember to double cleanse it off before bed.
5. Tired Eyes
The skin around the eyes is thinner and produces less oil, therefore requires a specialist product designed for their specific concerns. Take care to use cooler water when removing eye make-up, and don’t be too heavy handed with this delicate skin. Dehydration can lead to fine lines and puffiness, so use a hydrating cream specifically formulated for the eyes. Try Thalgo Collagen Eye Roll On £29.50.
6. Ingrowing Hairs
Most women who undergo some method of hair removal will at some point experience the distress of ingrowing hairs. Ingrown hairs form when hairs curl back and re-enter the same follicle and cause inflammation. To help reduce the risk of ingrowing hairs, regular exfoliation will help to lift dead skin cells, which may be trapping the hair. Products containing salicylic acid will gently exfoliate whilst maintaining moisture levels for skin health. When shaving, be aware that shaving ‘against the grain’ can encourage ingrown hairs, so always shave in the direction of the hair growth first.
7. Will my products stop working once my skin is used to them?
The thought that products will stop working once the skin has become used to them is largely a myth. The reality is that the needs of the skin and the challenges it faces can change due to various influences such as climate, diet, hormones and even medications. Provided you are seeing results from your products, there is no need to change. However, you may find that at certain times of the year, such as during winter, or when the skin is experiencing a specific condition such as break outs that it can be beneficial to change your routine a little to ensure that all skin conditions are addressed.
8. Nocturnal Repair
Your body has a natural 24hr biological rhythm that controls our metabolic processes night and day. Your skin is no exception. During the day, its top priority is to protect and shield against environmental factors. At night however, when there is some rest bite from daily demands, the skin produces less protective barrier and spends more time repairing and regenerating. Maximise skin benefits by boosting your nighttime regime with nourishing products. Try Dermalogica Overnight Repair Serum 15ml £46.
9. Patchy Makeup
Sometimes we can find that, even though you applied a perfect base of make-up in the morning, by lunchtime it looks uneven. This could be due to a hydration issue with your skin. Dry or dehydrated skin is soaking up any moisture it can, even the moisture in your makeup. Try wearing a silicone based product, such as Dermalogica’s Barrier Repair 30ml £30, which will even out the moisture content in your skin, leaving your makeup to sit evenly all day.
10. When should I worry about ageing?
It’s no myth that prevention is better than cure. Whilst it’s great to start investing in professional grade products once we can visibly see those tell-tell lines begin to show, the reality is that our skins are ageing from the moment we are born. In our teens and twenties, our biggest weapon against ageing is the daily use of sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. In our thirties and forties, products packed with antioxidant vitamins will help to keep damage from free radicals under control, whilst moving into our fifties the use of skin repairing peptides as well as the renewal benefits of retinol and acid free smoothing technology will help to keep skin rejuvenated and in tip top condition. Try Dermalogica Overnight Retinol Repair 30ml £58.50.
Using too many products, most of the time, is a disaster. The most important thing to know is what kind of hair texture you have, and what you want your hair to look like as a result. Take the time to consider a few key questions. Do you want frizz control? Do you want volume? Do you want shine? Is your scalp very dry? Is your hair damaged? You really have to get to know your own hair and figure out its qualities and what it needs. And then you just need one to two products. I tend to say if you feel like you need more than two hair products to actually do something with your hair, chances are you’re using the wrong products.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The salon’s getting busier by the day and it seems like most of my clients are already planning what they are getting their loved ones for Christmas. The stress of Christmas shopping is already getting to a few of them. So I thought I’d make it easy for you and put together a little gift guide of my top picks from this years’ Christmas gift sets.
