Q: Why are anti-ageing serums beneficial and how should I use one?

A: Anti-ageing serums are definitely beneficial in helping to prevent or prolong the onset of ageing, because serums are highly concentrated in active ingredients and are more fluid based so that they penetrate the skin much quicker than a traditional moisturiser and deliver quicker results.

When applying serums, always apply prior to your daily moisturiser and for best results, use morning and evening. La Roche-Posay recently launched the first serum in their range – DERM AOX. This Intensive Anti-Wrinkle Radiance Serum is €35 and suitable as a serum for any stage of ageing. It is non-comedogenic (blackheads), paraben-free (nasty preservatives!) and tested on every skin type including sensitive skin.  For what we thought of this product please read our review.

Our ask the expert question has been answered today by La Roche-Posay’s Training Manager, Janette Ryan.

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Q: What ingredients should I look for when buying a moisturiser?

A: Vitamin C known as ascorbic acid and Vitamin E are powerful anti-oxidants. Vitamin C may be especially important given widespread environmental pollution because it combats the effects of many such toxins, including ozone, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, pesticides and heavy metals. Vitamin C protects skin cells from the damage caused by free radicals. As an anti-oxidant, Vitamin C’s primary role is to neutralize free radicals. By using a good skincare product which contains these substances, you can help prevent skin problems like wrinkles, lines, age spots, and dry skin.

What else should I watch out for?

Look for products that are non-comedogenic (comedones are blackheads), tested under dermatological control and have clinical proven results, are suitable for sensitive skin, hypoallergenic and contain UV protection. If the product doesn’t contain UV protection, wear UV protection as well as your daily moisturiser to prevent further sun damage. If unsure, ask the Dermo-Skincare advisor in your local pharmacy or your therapist.

Our ask the expert question has been answered today by La Roche-Posay’s Training Manager, Janette Ryan.

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Q: I have blackheads on my nose that never seem to go, how can I get rid of them?

A: Hi Emma, there’s a couple of reasons you could be getting blackheads (aka comedones).  You don’t mention in your email if you are a smoker, one of the major causes of blackheads around the nose.  Also, when you apply your moisturiser does it sit on your skin for a while before being absorbed?  If so it could be too heavy for your skin and cause your pores to become blocked.

Blackheads are caused when the sebum that’s naturally excreted on you skin becomes blocked at the top of the pore and turns black. I would suggest you cleanse your skin thoroughly twice a day.  Once or twice a week you should exfoliate your skin as dead skin cells can block the pores creating blackheads and breakouts.  Exfoliating regularly will eventually help clear and prevent further blackheads.  I’d recommend either of Dermlogica’s exfoliants – Daily Microfoliant and Skin Prep Scrub or Clinique’s 7 day scrub.  A warm wet face cloth left resting on your face for no longer than 10 minutes beforehand will help open the pores, or steam your face over a bowl then exfoliate.  After steaming your pores are now open, wrap a tissue over both index fingers and gently press on the skin between them, if nothing comes leave it for another day or you’ll cause more harm.

When you are purchasing moisturisers or any cosmetics try to look for products that have non-comedongenic written on the box.  If a facial is in your budget try a Dermalogica facial and ask them to use the scaling fluid (professional product) on your nose, it is fantastic at blasting right in to the pores to get rid of blackheads especially if used under a steamer. Hope this helps!

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It’s no secret that we here at wow.ie are huge fans of La Roche-Posay – OMG have they hit the jack pot with this one! La Roche-Posay recently released Corrective Pen Brushes and I put the beige brush to the test, and could only squeal with sheer delight at the result! This ‘magic marker’ as it has been christened was just that – magic! The brush tested is for any type of imperfection so away I went applying to the circles under my eyes and, to any blemishes only to see a flawless complexion looking back at me!

These brushes come in four colours, Beige (dark or light) for all types of localised imperfections, Yellow for dark circles and bruises and Green for intense redness or localised rosacea (form of acne).

The application is really easy, just twist the top and the product comes out on the brush meaning you don’t have to touch your skin so you won’t spread or aggravate any problems. The product itself covered well without caking as many others do. I’ve been using (previously mentioned) Rimmel coverstick for years and tried every other brand on the market to date, this is now in my bag and I won’t be leaving home without it. I can’t recommend this one enough, cost is €15. We give it the fingers, toes and thumbs up!

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We all want beautiful clear skin that’s blemish free and not dull and lifeless. Firstly a good skin care routine is essential including cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising. If after you’ve got your routine down to a fine art but find you still have breakouts we’ve listed out some products that may be worth trying out. Where possible ask for samples of the products so you can try them before parting with hard earned money to realise it doesn’t suit your skin!

To start with we have the Dermalogica Clearing Mattifier, approx ?57.35
As the name suggests this product is said to control shine, reduce congestion and help clear any breakouts. The way in which it manages this is by exfoliating whilst on the skin so unplugging any congested areas or follicles. It also promises help rid of fine lines and smooth out the texture of your skin.

Matis offer Intensive Purifying Serum, approx ?51
Serums are definitely the way forward in skin care containing higher strength ingredients. The Matis serum was created to regulate and control sebum secretion, the natural oil on your skin that is there to protect your skin but can sometimes cause breakouts for various reasons. The high potency formula should protect the skin from the various elements that cause your skin problems.

If you prefer to use more natural based products this may be of interest. Environ Active Sebugel A Approx ?30
Environ have used all the usual natural ingredients to sooth and disinfect irriated skin such as tea tree, colostrum, vitamin A and more. The colostrum used is dairy and is a totally natural antiseptic that will help control bacteria from spreading.

As always if you aren’t sure what your skin needs go to a salon or therapist and have your skin analysed. It’s worth it to go for a facial and get some detailed information back so you are armed with information that should help you purchase the right products for you.

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Anyone else notice their skin looks grey lately? A good way to get rid of a dull complexion is to exfoliate. There are two main types of exfoliation – chemical or mechanical.

A ‘mechanical scrub’ would refer to any grainy type scrubs. These should only be used once or max twice a week as they can become quite abrasive on the skin. If you are prone to thread veins avoid grainy scrubs, you could cause more damage. If you suffer from acne this form of exfoliant can aggravate your skin. Otherwise it’s a great a great way to exfoliate.

The other form of exfoliation is called ‘chemical exfoliation’. A kinder form of exfoliation for skin types such as acne, thread veins or sensitive skin. Chemical exfoliants are smooth without any grains. They will have ingredients such as Salicylic Acid, Rice Starch etc that will exfoliate the skin for you.

There are various homemade scrubs you can whip up at home too, just google it! Be wary of honey scrubs/masks on older skin as honey can pull on the skin.

Never go too close to the eye area. Best to do a scrub after a shower or bath as your pores are now open.

It’s always advisable to speak with a skin therapist and get professional advise on what will suit you best. Hopefully this way you won’t waste your money buying something that doesn’t work with your particular skin type.

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When I was at school (a million years ago!) I used this concealer and it did the job. As you get older though you change brands and try out new ways of wearing make-up. I went through a phase of buying almost every big brand concealer out there thinking, ‘got to grow up and stop using Rimmel..’ but to this day I still use it. Let’s just say nothing else was as good and it would definitely by my desert island must have.

This concealer is easy to apply and it does not move once on. I use it every day after applying moisturiser, foundation then concealer under my eyes and over any blemishes aka spots!

The trick is to get a shade lighter than your own skin tone or foundation so it blends dark circles or blemishes away. I use 001-Ivory. It’s sold in most pharamcies & super markets around the country and is very reasonable.

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Dermalogica – Special Clearing Booster. I swear by it and recommend it to anyone prone to the odd breakout.

Apply as soon as you feel something starting and it will blast that bad boy away. Nothing else can be said – it does what it says on the tin! It’s key ingredient is 5% concentration of Benzoyl Peroxide mixed with the likes of purifying watercress, burdock, ivy etc to speed up blemish clearing. Botanicals help calm any irritation. Apply directly to to breakout using a cotton bud and repeat every 6-8 hours.

€49.20 & will last all year. Only available at salons using Dermalogica or on-line. Check out our post on Pays to shop around.

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