Get the right advice from our resident skin care expert
Have you ever been confused about what skincare products to use or which ones will work best for your skin and concerns?
You and me both. Almost 87 per cent of women are confused about skincare, what to buy, where to buy, when to buy and why buy at all. Add to that nowadays, the overwhelming influence of social media with endless images of flawless skin, glamorous women wearing stunning gowns who glow and sparkle because they use a particular product, which might not be what you look for on Facegram but easy to be distracted or attracted by.
The reality is that there’s so much to choose from. Let’s break it down a bit for you.
Firstly, and most importantly, not everything you see on Facegram is real. I know, right? You’re surprised by that. Pictures can be photoshopped. Words can be edited. One of the things I tell my children is to look for the truth. Look at that glossy image, closely. Does it look unrealistic? Who posted it? Who supplies it? Who is using it? What’s in it and what are the ingredients?
You may have seen on social media sites influencers promoting skin care products that they profess to know nothing about. They have just been given the product to try and they then promote it . They have done no training, nor do they have the education or experience to prescribe skincare to anyone, yet we take more notice of them because they are well known and popular?
This is what you really need to know. There are professionals who really want to help you. Seek advice from a skin expert. Your skin will be analysed and your concerns addressed to determine a personal, prescribed program.
So let’s keep it simple. By following these basic, but important steps:
1. Cleanser
Cleansing is a non-negotiable step that should be done twice a day. It will remove your make-up and any dirt and grime on your skin. Finding the right type of cleanser for your skin is essential to making sure this step is most effective. The right cleanser will not strip your skin, leaving it feeling tight and dry, and addresses your skin type and concern, ie. breakouts, fine lines and wrinkles, redness and sensitivity. Ensuring you have the right cleanser is the beginning of a solid foundation.
2. Serum
If you’re going to invest in any aspect of your skincare regime, serums are a game changer. Serums contain a more concentrated amount of active ingredients, such as Vit C and Peptides to brighten and lift, Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and battle-ready antioxidants to restore and protect the skin. In a serum, the smaller molecular size of these ingredients ensures that they travel far more effectively into the skin .
3. Eye Cream
Don’t ever think that eye products are a waste of money. It is widely acknowledged that the skin is 40 per cent thinner and more porous around the eyes. Therefore, using a specially formulated product for this area does have its benefits. Most face creams are too rich for this part of the face and can irritate the eyes.
4. Moisturiser
Your skin needs a balanced diet, just like our bodies do. Antioxidants, vitamins and minerals are very important to your skin. After cleansing, then feeding your skin with a multitude of active ingredients in your serum, you need to lock them in with a face cream, either a lightweight lotion or rich cream, depending on what your skin needs. By ensuring the face cream is suited to your skin type and concerns means you’ll get the best results.
5. SPF
Living in Queensland, the most important thing we can do for our skin is to use sunscreen every day. Every client I see is reminded about sun protection. Quite often, the consensus is that they don’t like sunscreen and it feels greasy and makes them break out. The list of excuses is endless. But the truth is, I would prefer all of the above rather than melanoma or constantly having to use harsh creams to remove sunspots . Just add up the amount of time we spend sitting in the car, pegging out washing, walking the kids to school….our amount of sun exposure all adds up.