Dermatologist and brand founder Dr Sam Bunting shares her top tips and products to restore your skin this autumn …
One great treatment or product to help with pigmentation: Pigmentation is the skin concern that drives people into my clinic in droves come September. The reality is that it makes skin look flat and lifeless. For some, it’s simply a consequence of under-dosing or not reapplying their sunscreen, leading to sun spots and irregular skintone. For others, it’s because they’ve had a flare-up of melasma, with hormone-triggered splodges on the forehead, cheekbones and top lip as they’re exposed to high levels of both UV and visible light.
Pigmentation is best treated using a combination of actives that suppress melanin production in conjunction with a retinoid for a multi-tasking approach that’s really effective. Flawless Brightly Serum (€48) contains four active ingredients – including pigmentation superhero 10 per cent azelaic acid – to improve skintone and restore radiance.
How to hydrate your skin post-summer: Post-summer skin is depleted both in terms of barrier health but also NAD+, the essential co-enzyme that maintains skin energy levels and activation of youthful gene expression. Flawless Moisturiser Intense (from €22) is brilliant at restoring barrier function and replenishing NAD+ levels for vibrant, glowing skin. The bonus – your retinoid will work even better as a result.
Your best tip for glowing skin? I’m obsessed with retinoids because they tackle blemishes, plus keep skin looking bright and youthful at the same time.
A great pharmacy skincare buy: I love Flexitol Heel Balm to rescue dry, cracked heels (€12.70, at pharmacies nationwide).
One skincare staple to swear by … Flawless Revival Mask (€47) is the ultimate speedy skin rescue when you need glass skin stat. I apply it before my shower, let the steam do its work and cleanse it off. It’s my secret weapon when I’m on camera.
If you do one thing this season for your skin … Sunscreen is a daily essential, even in autumn as ageing UVA rays are present and fluctuate much less through the year compared to burning UVB rays. The way to make sunscreen fit with your routine every day is to use the one you enjoy using! Choose a sunscreen that serves dual functions as primer and you’ll never skip again. Or choose a tinted formula that means you can skip foundation – this is my personal approach to daily SPF.
SEE MORE: 4 End Of Summer Beauty Essentials
