Skincare and how to get great skin

Filed under: Grooming

As with make-up, I love skin care. In fact I’d go as far as to say that I love skin care more: if I were better at science I probably would have done a beauty science degree. Still degree or not, I think I know quite a few things about skin care in general having worked for Chanel skin care and cosmetics, as well as L’Occitane. So although I love make-up, I have to say that great skin really comes from taking care if your skin in general. Obviously genetics and lifestyle also play a major part, but a good skin care regime can really help give your skin a helping hand.

So let’s start with the obvious - skin types. I like to think that there are four main types __ Oily, Combination, Normal and Dry__. Many of you should know which one you are because it should be fucking obvious. If you face feels tight and dull than you’re DRY. If your face produces a lot of sebum (oil) all over, it’s Oily and if you’re a combination of one or more, then you have Combination skin. However if you have none of these, then you’re one of the lucky few who have Normal skin.

DRY skin- Normally has small pores. Tends to age worse than most other types due to the lack of moisture in the skin. Make sure you use a good SPF15 moisturiser (creams are usually better than lotions in this case) every morning and a decent night cream before you go to bed. Also try and exfoliate at least twice a week to stop your skin from becoming dull and mask with a rich hydrating mask.

Oily skin - Normally has large visible pores. Oily skin produces too much sebum (natural oil) in the skin. People who have oily skin tend to age better, however due to over productive sebum glands they are also more prone to break outs. Make sure you use a good oil controlling cleanser day and night. Plus just because you have oily skin doesn’t mean you can skip on the moisturiser: if you do, your skin will produce more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture (hard to believe but its true!). So use a lightweight oil controlling face lotion with an SPF of 15 if you can and a light weight night cream. Exfoliate and mask twice a week at least.

Combination skin - As the name suggests is this normally a combination of two of the other skin types. Many people just have oily T-zones, this can be rectified by purchasing products for that specific area (I know Chanel do one) or applying an oil controlling moisturiser just where you need it. Try and use products that have SPF15 to combat sun damage and make sure you exfoliate and mask twice a week.

Normal skin - Lucky you! You don’t have to fuss about, just make sure to look after your skin. Use a good light weight moisturiser with SP15 and a night treatment. Exfoliate and mask twice a week.

There are also attributes that your skin can have. These include sensitivity (flushing, redness), dehydration, pigmentation, dullness, aging and blemishes.

So for example my skin has/is -

±Dry

±Dehydrated

±Dull

±Sensitive (acne rosacea)

±Pigmentation

±Blemishes (acne rosacea)

In addition to that some people may have skin conditions such as - eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, acne rosacea etc. These conditions usually require a little more than just a good moisturiser, sometimes even medical assistance. Unfortunately many of these conditions are also chronic - meaning that their re-occurring, and that there is no permanent cure. However all this means is that people with these conditions just have to spend a little but more time taking care of themselves, in order to lessen the symptoms.

Depending on your ethnicity and genetics you may be more prone to certain attributes and conditions than others. Like I said before lifestyle also plays a huge part; so if you’re a sun worshipper, smoker or a heavy drinker then you may find that you suffer more than those who don’t.

Your skin needs your help: it gets so much abuse from external forces that you really owe it all the help that you can. So (finally!) these are my tips to looking after your skin…

±Smoking, Sun worshipping and heavy drinking - DAMAGE our skin beyond its years. Try to give them up!

±Try and drink at least 8 cups of water a day or a litre is even better - to keep your skin hydrated.

±SPF15 all year round at least, to protect from sun damage which is ageing. Just because you can’t see the fucking sun doesn’t mean the UV rays aren’t doing harm!

±Exfoliate, exfoliate! At least once a week. This is my secret weapon to keeping skin glowing and smooth. Will also remove dead skin cells and prevent break outs.

±Mask at least once a week ideally after exfoliating. It doesn’t take long, bung it on for 10 mins, go do something else, then wash it off. Makes a world of difference.

±Invest in a decent cleanser and use it day and night and always try to take your make up off before bed!

±Eat healthy - make sure you get your daily intake of veg and weekly intake of fish or…

±Take supplements - obviously it’s better to get vitamins/minerals directly from food but sometimes it’s not that easy.

±Treat yourself to a nice facial every few months. It may seem unnecessary but getting a deep cleansing massage will work wonders. Why do you think all the celebs get them done!?