The quick, easy at-home habits and products that will make a visible difference …
We’re doing our best, and trying to look after our skin properly – but many of us are noticing our skin just isn’t that good at the moment. So we did the sensible thing and asked the experts: what can we do to improve our skin right now? (and we mean quick, easy at-home habits, or products that will make a visible difference). And what are the treatments we should be booking now for when salons re-open?
In a recent survey by No7 at Boots, 41 per cent of women who had noticed more signs of ageing on their face blamed it on the insomnia, reduced sleep and fatigue, while 38 per cent blamed it on seeing more of themselves on screen. “Our lives have been deferred, yet we find ourselves with less time for self-care,” explains aesthetician Dija Ayodele. “Lots of women are talking about noticing lines during lockdown: we’re now more aware of them because we see our own faces more than ever before … video-conferencing platforms are like mirrors that reflect our faces for hours on end.”
Irish facialist Eavanna Breen agrees: “We are analysing all the minor details and movements of our faces to an unprecedented degree – and it’s giving people unwelcome additional anxiety.” Breen suggests booking a virtual skin consultation. “Getting advice from a professional on the state of your skin can give clarity and perspective to any concerns you might have. We can also guide you on how to protect your skin from screen damage.” And a Neutrogena survey found that more than three-quarters of Irish women questioned felt that the pandemic has had a negative impact on their skin, with 71 per cent describing their skin as dehydrated, and the majority citing mask-wearing as one of the main culprits in their skin issues.
So you’re not alone – and here’s some sound advice from people who truly know skin:
Nuala Woulfe, skin expert:
What is the one thing you can do for your skin right now?
“Lifestyle: eat a healthy wholesome diet; eat a fibre-rich diet; address any gut issues – cut sugar and alcohol. Drink plenty of water. Get proper rest and sleep. It is difficult to have radiant glowing skin if these important factors for health are not being managed. As for skincare, spend time cleaning your skin every day. Use a good broad-spectrum SPF daily and reapply as required. UV exposure is responsible for 90 per cent of visible changes to the skin. Wrinkles, fine lines and pigmentation are inevitable skin woes caused by exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) light. A significant amount of this damage has occurred by the age of 20.” [Heliocare sun protection is available from Nuala Woulfe online].
One treatment you should book now:
“I believe there will be a few things in great demand: facials that show visible results. Massage – people are craving relaxation and touch. And maintenance treatments such as manicures, pedicures and eyebrows.” Nu Aesthetics & Serenity Day Spa, 4C & 55 Glasthule Road, SandyCove, Co Dublin; www.nualawoulfe.ie.
Neelu White, beauty therapist specialising in mature skin:
What is the one thing you can do for your skin right now?
“My mantra is to exfoliate and to hydrate – in that order. You need to thoroughly exfoliate skin to provide a clean, matte and polished base on which to apply your layer of moisture. There is no point in putting hydration on dead skin cells. I also strongly believe in maintaining good skin over years with good products and treatments rather than quick-fix solutions of injectables. I highly recommend the Le Mieux serums as they are supercharged with proteins and hyaluronic acids that will repair and restore skin over time. You need to give your skin time and care with great products and treatments.” Neelu’s Beauty Salon, Liffey Street Upper, Dublin 2; 01 878 8132; www.neelus-salon.com.
Dija Ayodele, aesthetician and skin expert:
What is the one thing you can do for your skin right now?
“If you’re feeling acutely aware of ‘lockdown lines’, I’d suggest applying No7 Laboratories Line Correcting Booster Serum directly to those lines or mixing with your usual serum for an overall boost. [Available from Boots.ie on sale for €39.20 for a limited time only]. Wear a day cream with SPF and 5* UVA protection even when inside: 80 per cent of skin ageing is due to UV from sunlight, and up to 50 per cent of UVA rays can pass through windows.
Frequent mask-wearing may be causing skin concerns like blemishes or dryness. Keep up with a daily skincare routine to help boost skin’s resilience, and you may want to cleanse after removing your mask, especially if you have make-up on under it.
Try and prioritise sleep if you can. Acute sleep deprivation contributes to dark circles as well as the appearance of dull skin over time.
Given that we are spending more time inside, the heat from central heating draws moisture out of the skin), so your skin may be drier than usual. Ensure you are using topical creams (such as No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day and Night creams) to keep your skin moisturised while your heating is on.
Make sure you are getting enough vitamin D from your diet (or from supplements). Our main source of vitamin D is sunlight, but we may not be getting enough being inside most of the time at the moment. Ensure you are getting enough antioxidants through fruit and veg to help your skin fight oxidative stress.”
Jennifer Rock, founder of Skingredients, The Skin Nerd & Skin Nerd Network:
What is the one thing you can do for your skin right now?
“I think when it comes to topical skincare, everyone is on it – it is one of the few joys we can still wholeheartedly enjoy. Just keep double-cleansing; you particularly need to double-cleanse when you’re using SPF. Personally, home facial devices are taking over my bathroom cabinet – home steamers, EMS (electronic muscle stimulation) devices, cryo balls, gua sha tools… You name it, I have it. I think if you’re looking to up your game while you can’t get to your facialist, introduce some at-home devices.
I think where people might be falling down at the moment is feeding their skin from within with a wide array of vegetables, fruits and nutrient-rich food. It is difficult and we tend to turn to quick food for comfort but be aware it may be exacerbating skin conditions by causing inflammation internally. If you aren’t eating as many veggies and fruit as usual, you’ll notice that you may be looking a bit more lethargic than usual – it’s perhaps one of the easiest skin concerns to fix.”
One treatment you should book now:?
“Can I say all of them? If you want a results-driven skincare treatment and you’re happy to save up until the clinics open, I’d recommend radiofrequency microneedling, which is two effective modalities in one. Microneedling works by triggering the skin’s healing cascades, for a rush of collagen, elastin and growth factors for fresher, tighter skin, while radiofrequency uses heat to encourage fat cells to die (literally) while tightening the skin simultaneously, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Not only is this amazing for the visage, but it’s effective on stretch marks and post-inflammatory erythema across the body (the marks left once a spot has healed) – hallelujah.”
Sophia Woods, facialist:
What is the one thing you can do for your skin right now?
“Book an online skin-checkup with a facialist [Woods offers 30-minute online consultations, €30, redeemable against products]. And avoid buying fad skincare that may not be suitable for your skin type. Use a face mist, such as isClinical Copper Mist, as your first step after cleansing morning and night, and spritz over make-up throughout the day. A product that will make a visible difference: isClinical Youth Serum (€160) provides rapid initial hydration for visible ‘plumping’; independent clinical studies show an increase of collagen by 46 per cent in just 24 hours.”
One treatment you should book now:
“I anticipate the Byonik Cool Laser will be the most in demand facial post lock down. This is due to its ability to deliver high volumes of hyaluronic acid gels with red laser light, to significantly improve skintone, acne and redness, and to increase hydration levels. The focus for me will be on repairing the skin’s barrier function, increasing hydration and reducing inflammation with the use of the Byonik, to get the skin back to its optimum health. It’s ideal if you want to get the healthy glow back in to your skin.” The Facialist, Yoga Dublin, 28a Dartmouth Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6; www.thefacialist.ie.
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