The one beauty essential we can all afford is water!

One of the most important, if not THE best way to nourish your skin is to drink plenty of water, at least two litres a day.  Water assists the body with it’s natural elimination process by flushing unwanted toxins out, and keeping the skin hydrated, plump and supple.  Sometimes those really fine lines on your forehead or around the eyes are simply dehydration.

Did you know?  Crankiness and irritability are some of the first signs that a person is dehydrated.  So, the next time you and your hubby are at each others throats, just hand him a tall, cold glass of uisce!  Make sure he knows that you want him to drink it, or else watch the look of horror on his face as he anticipates getting it in the face!

Top Tip No.1

Keep a never-ending supply of water near you at all times.  Try adding a bit of zing with a squeeze of lemon and lime juice and a few sprigs of chopped fresh mint.

Top Tip No.2

For a little added pampering at work, try a hydrating mist.  You can easily make your own.  Just mix 500ml cooled boiled water, 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice, and a tea spoon of finely chopped fresh mint.  Pour the mix into a travel spray bottle (available at your local chemist), and don’t forget to shake well before you use to mix up any settled ingredients.  Failing that La Roche Posay do a great hydrating spray, great for stuffy offices or flying.

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Q: Any advice for cleansing oily skin prone to breakouts?

A: This is not an uncommon problem seeing even celebrities with all their money and experts on hand falling pray to the dreaded spot!  Adult acne is also on the rise and continues to do so year after year.  Janette Ryan gives us her tips on how to combat the problem.

1. Always cleanse your skin twice a day. Choose a facial wash that is oil-free and has an anti-bacterial effect to fight the bacteria and prevent imperfections from reoccurring. After cleansing your skin do use a toner to tighten pores and remove residue of the cleansing products.

2. Avoid using hot water when washing your face as it can aggravate the skin. Use tepid water which will open your pores and allow the cleansing active ingredients to travel into your skin and dissolve impurities.

3. Oily skin types should avoid rough scrubbing and massage as this can stimulate oil glands.

4. Don’t keep touching your face as this can spread bacteria and cause spots and don’t pick or squeeze pimples as this can spread infection and cause scarring.

5. Always use a daily moisturiser. For norm/comb skin choose a light texture and look for key words such as hydrating. If you are prone to high shine on your T-zone choose a product which mattifies your skin while keeping it hydrated.

6. Oily skin should not be exfoliated every day as the skin can be stripped of its natural protective barrier and become more prone to developing bacteria. Exfoliate oily skin once a week and use moisturisers with ingredients known to unclog pores. Check out Normaderm Exfoliating Cleansing Gel which unblocks & purifies pores while refining skin texture.

7. Beware: Sun does not cure oily skin. Sun triggers only temporary improvement in oily skin. UVB rays cause a thickening of the upper layer of your skin and although the light does kill bacteria, and during the summer months your skin looks clear, below the surface of your skin sebum is building. Following sun exposure oily skin can flare up again. Always use suitable sun protection for oily to acne prone skin. Check out Vichy’s Capital Soleil Micro-fluid Matte.

If you have oily skin choose products carefully, pharmacy is a great place to go for advice and there are lots of different products available to treat the different types of oily skin and suit individual preferences.

Today’s Ask the Expert was answered by La Roche-Posay’s Training Manager, Janette Ryan.

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Nail biting is a bad habit that is not easy to quit, just like smoking.  We usually bite our nails when we are nervous or during stressful situations, generally whenever confronted with a stressful event or moment – not to mention when bored!  If you are fed up of your nails being bitten down to the stubs and even bleeding sometimes, try these simple remedies to promote normal, beautiful nail growth.

- Make a conscious decision to start to care for your nails and hands.

- Invest in some really nice hand wash and hand cream sets, and place them at every sink in your house.

- Give yourself a mini manicure once a week.  Soak your cuticles in warm soapy water, and then push your cuticles back.  Nail biters often nibble on the cuticles as well, so if you push your cuticles back, they will seem less obvious and it will prevent you getting them hangnails that you just love to chew on.  This will also give the illusion of longer nails.  Then apply a nourishing oil such as almond oil to the cuticles and nails, and massage well for a few minutes.  Any stimulation around that area encourages quicker growth – get rubbing!

- Always carry a hand cream in your bag for when you wash your hands and there is none available.  Again, rub into the cuticle area.

- Always carry a nail file with you at all times.  This way, if you chip or crack a nail, you can fix it on the spot with the file, and not with your teeth!

- Treat yourself to a professional manicure at your local salon once a month.  This is a very relaxing treatment that will help you on your way to nails you should be proud of.  It will also encourage you to leave them alone so you have some success to show your therapist.

- Try wearing a nail varnish every day, even if it just a clear polish.  This will deter you from biting and getting a mouth full of polish.  But, don’t forget your base coat to prevent the polish from staining the nail plate.

You can also get clear nail polish that tastes absolutely Yuk.  If this doesn’t stop you, I don’t know what will.  They contain ingredients such as cactus extract and chilli pepper.  I don’t know about you, but I prefer my chillies in my curry, not painted on my nails thank you very much!

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Q: I always get little spots on my upper lip after my monthly lip wax.  Have you any tips on how to prevent these nasty little lumps?

A: Firstly, I would recommend that you have no makeup or cream on the area before you head in for your treatment. Your therapist will sanitise the area anyway, but the less rubbing she has to do on your lip, then the less sensitive the area will be.  Never attend for a lip wax after sunbathing, sun beds or if you have been in a sauna or steam room. These treatments heat up the skin and heat on heat does not mix. The same goes for after your lip wax.

After your treatment, avoid touching the area as little germs and bugs on your hands can invade the open pores and cause unsightly spots.  Avoid make up, creams, lotions, potions and also avoid washing your face and going swimming.  Try to relax for the day as excessive sweating on the area can also cause these dreaded spots.  If you had make up on the rest of your face, just use some gentle facial cleanser on all areas except the lip.  All of this aftercare has to be followed for at least 24hrs.  After this you can commence your usual skin care routine, and don’t forget to gently exfoliate the lip area to get rid of any dead skin cells which can block the pores and cause little blemishes.

If all of this fails, I would highly recommend that you try threading.  It is great for the more sensitive skin type, gentle on the skin, doesn’t pull the skin, thus preventing sagging and wrinkles, and is just as effective at removing every hair, even the fine downy type if not more affective.  The great thing about threading is that you can apply makeup straight away if needed, but if your skin is super sensitive and highly prone to spots, I would recommend that you leave the make up for at least 12 hours.

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Q: I have dark circles under my eyes, help!  What can I do?

A: Dark circles under the eyes are caused when tiny blood vessels are weakened and then rise to the surface, making them more visible and appearing as dark circles.  People get them when they are run down, do not have a sufficient diet, are tired or stressed.

To combat dark circles you should first look at your diet and try to eat plenty of food high in vitamin K such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage and asparagus.  You can also combat this problem from the outside using an eye cream with added vitamin K.  I would recommend a product from the Dermedique range called ‘vitamin K gel’.  It is a clear fragrance free gel that is suitable for even sensitive skin.  The vitamin K penetrates deep into the damaged blood vessels under the eyes and strenghthens their walls, making them sink back down into the skin where they will be no longer visible as dark circles.  I would also reccomend that you keep any eye cream in the fridge as the cool temperature then has a tightening effect on the skin, great for those unwanted bags!  Also, try to get out every day for a walk as exercise and fresh air will help.

While you are trying to combat the problem use a good concealer.  La Roche-Posay have a great one out as do Rimmel, remembering to go a shade lighter than your skin tone.

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Today’s tips come from British Skin Foundation Expert Dermatologist, Dr Jennifer Jones, who recommends the following top tips for safety in the sun:

· Wrap Splat Hat! Wrap up with a t-shirt and a hat and apply plenty of suncream.

· Keep an eye on the time; spend time in the shade during peak hours (11am-3pm in the Ireland/UK) when the sun is at its most intense. Nb. This time may vary if you are abroad.

· At home and abroad, try to make sure that children play in the shade.

· Keep babies out of direct sunlight and protect toddlers and children with sunscreen, clothing and shade.

· Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunglasses.

· Use an SPF suitable to your skin type, we recommend an of SPF50 for children and a minimum of SPF15 for adults.

· Apply sun protection generously all over the body before sun exposure.

· Reapply frequently and generously, at least every 2 hours, especially after swimming, perspiring, playing in the sand and after towel-drying.

· Always apply a product that has provides Photostable UVA and UVB protection for the most reliable sun protection.

· Over-exposure to the sun is a serious health hazard.

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If you are paranoid about the sun and at a loss for words when you come across the odd wally that still doesn’t get it, rest assured there is some progress being made on this subject.  This article will be of particular interest to anyone with kids…

A survey of parents and their children conducted by Garnier Ambre Solaire has revealed a dramatic contrast in attitudes to sun protection. The survey, which questioned 965 parents and children from the age of 6 to 60 on their suncare, showed that there has been a huge shift in sun protection habits over the years revealing three distinct categories of parental attitude:

* Golden Oldies (55+)

Sun worshippers who weren’t aware of sun protection as youngsters and did little to protect their offspring. 42% of Golden Oldies admit to never having worn suncream until the age of 18.

* Protective Parents (36-54)

Mums and dads with older children that have a relaxed attitude to sun protection on themselves but were relatively cautious with their little ones. 78% say that they are more protective of their children than their parents were with them.

* Shade Seekers (18-35)

Take no risks and have a very responsible approach to the sun safety of both themselves and their children. 88% of Shade Seekers were protected from the summer sun by their Protective Parents, and 96% of them are protecting their own children during summer.

Each group felt that they were significantly more careful when it comes to protecting their children from the sun than their parents were (Golden Oldies 79%, Protective Parents 78% and Shade Seekers 69%). This change in attitude means that children today should be able to avoid the regret felt by the 46% of parents who wish they had taken more care of their skin in the sun when they were younger.

Dad’s knowledge of suncare fared badly

However the outlook is not all sunny, as over a quarter of Shade Seekers are not using an adequate SPF to protect their children – 28% are using SPF20 or below and only a quarter (26%) of adults are using the recommended SPF50 on their children, meaning that there is still an education job to be done. Dads in particular fared badly in knowledge of SPFs – 15% thought that an SPF15 meant you were protected for 15 minutes longer compared to sun exposure without sunscreen! And Golden Oldies were even worse with half not knowing what SPF means – hardly surprising given that 27% do not use suncream to protect themselves during the summer.

More to be done

When it comes to burning, parents these days are more aware of the dangers posed by the sun than their own parents – more than 80% of Golden Oldies admitted their children had burnt in the sun, compared to 55% of Shade Seekers – but clearly more needs to be done to get the sun safety message across and reduce this further for the next generation.

Next Generation: The Cover up kids (6-13)

Survey findings suggest that this approach to education is working. 90% of 6-9 year olds questioned said that their parents put a sun hat on them during summer compared to just 36% of Golden Oldies when they were children. The survey also showed that more recent innovations in sun protection have started to become popular with beach tents, sunsuits and protective clothing proving to be popular accessories for summer 2010.

Skincare expert Dr Jennifer Jones, a Consultant Dermatologist at the Royal Free and St John & Elizabeth Hospitals and spokesperson for British Skin Foundation, believes that parents should take advantage of the new technology that is available to them: “The good news is that there appears to be a general trend amongst younger generations towards protecting young skin from the sun including use of sunscreen and hats, and it is encouraging to see that UV suits and beach tents are being used with increasing frequency.”

“It is of concern, however, that despite their best intentions parents are not always using adequate protection. In this survey only 25% of parents use the recommended SPF 50 on their children. Clearly more education is required with respect to the significance of SPF. Two groups who, in the current climate are often primary carers, grandparents and fathers clearly lack some understanding in this area.”

Celeb mum and Garnier spokesperson Davina McCall says: “As a mother of three I am so careful about keeping my children protected from the sun. Our understanding of sun protection has evolved so much since I was a kid and we are all so much more aware of the dangers now aren’t we?.”

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Q: Everyone is talking about serums, what exactly is a serum?

A: Serums are highly concentrated in active ingredients and are more fluid based so that they penetrate the skin much quicker than a traditional moisturiser. They deliver quicker more effective results improving the skin’s appearance and boosting radiance. Anti-ageing serums are beneficial in helping to prevent or prolong the onset of ageing and are used to reduce wrinkles and in some cases increase skins firmness and radiance. Always apply your serum prior to your daily moisturizer (Unless otherwise advised) and for best results, use morning and evening.

We recommend La Roche-Posays DERN AOX (which we put to the test!) and Vichy’s LIFTACTIV Serum which we will be putting to the test over the coming weeks so watch out for our review.

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

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I always dreaded putting makeup on my early teenage skin, knowing that the terrifying Oily Complexion would bite back and cause it to glow in a very unstylish manner. The years have passed (not that many of them!) and I find myself on the opposite end of the scale. Dry skin has become the bane of my life, and I would happily trade it for my old oily variant without hesitation.

The thing about having oily skin is that many products can dehydrate skin to make it look smoother. Lots of foundations offer a matte finish that’s a dream for oily skin. But finding a product that re-hydrates without clogging pores is another story entirely. I have spent a small fortune in trying to find one. I’ve done the very expensive and the relatively cheap- and while many moisturisers and cleansers have failed to pass my tests, the makeup has finally, thankfully, been found!

By chance one day about three months ago, I ventured into Brown Thomas and emerged with a starter kit for Bare Minerals. I had always had my doubts about mineral-based powder foundations, and so this lay unused for quite some time. When my previous foundation (L’Oreal True Match) began to irritate my skin, despite a long period of it working to perfection, I knew that I had to try something new. The Bare Minerals box was lying around so I learned how to use it, and I came away surprised at the result. It doesn’t make my skin flake, the colour is perfectly summery and suits my natural skin tone, and it honestly feels as though I’m not wearing any makeup at all. Excellent.

To that end I have decided to stick with it; as it stands the foundation (Bare Minerals Original SPF 15) retails at €25 a pot from Brown Thomas, but it’s a large pot and the cost, while a little more than I usually spend on a whim, is definitely worth it. I’ve now been using it for about a month and it hasn’t bored me yet. People have complimented me on how natural it is. I use Bare Minerals Mineral Veil over it, which really evens out the texture and gives it as professional an effect as I have ever managed to achieve. These people don’t let you work it out for yourself either- the starter kit provided good brushes and a How To DVD, as well as a primer that I now rely on every day.

If you fancy trying it, and I cannot recommend it highly enough, the entire Bare Minerals line can be purchased online at a lesser cost. Their range has grown massively, and in all of the makeup I have tried over the past 10 years or so, it ranks among the best without a doubt- dry skin and all.

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I’ve been testing the La Roche-Posay – Physiological Ultra-Fine Scrub for the last few weeks and here is how it went.

I have very sensitive skin and have always found it near to impossible to get a facial exfoliator that doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight and quite red and aggravated.  I therefore gave up on trying to find one as I felt I was doing more harm to my skin than good by “assaulting” it with these products.

That is until recently I tried the La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Scrub and to my utter surprise and delight I found it absolutely brilliant.  It has tiny little granules that you can really feel cleaning your skin whilst you rub it in, it foams slightly but is easy to spread around your face.  After washing it off, my skin was honestly “glowing” and felt really fresh and soft.  I had no hint of any redness… which I swear is a first for me and finished off by applying my moisturiser.

I now use my scrub about 2/3 times a week and find it has really helped to get rid of the blackheads on my nose.  I’m just happy I can stop torturing my poor face now and let it get old in the more than capable hands of the La Roche-Posay ultra-fine scrub!  5 out 5 from me…. give it a go ladies and let me know what you think!  You will find La Roche-Posay products in most chemists or on-line and this scrub is a steal at only €14.00.  Pour moi, a small price to pay for not looking like the victim of a terrible accident, as I usually did from other scrubs!

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