WW12_skincare101

e experts take it back to basics and teach you the bare necessities of skincare

How often do you think
about your skincare
routine? For most
of us it’s just part of
daily life, something we
don’t give a second thought
to. But how do you work out
what your skin type is and
what essential steps could
you be missing out on? We
asked the experts to go back
to basics and tell us about
starting from scratch with
your skin.

Kyonuorwtype

“ ere are four basic types
of healthy skin: normal, dry,
oily and combination skin.
Skin type is determined by
genetics. e condition of
our skin can vary greatly
according to the various
internal and external factors
it is subjected to,” says Dylan
Griffiths, Medical Manager
of Eucerin. Your first step
in skincare should be to
identify which skin type you
have so you know which
products will best suit you.

We’ll start with the
‘normal’ skin type, Dylan
says in this: “ e T-zone
(forehead, chin and nose)
may be a bit oily, but overall
sebum and moisture is
balanced and the skin is
neither too oily nor too dry.
Normal skin has: fine pores,
good blood circulation, a
velvety, soft and smooth
texture, a fresh, rosy colour,
uniform transparency, no
blemishes and is not prone to
sensitivity.”

One of the easiest types to
recognise is ‘dry’ skin.

“‘Dry’ is used to describe
a skin type that produces
less sebum than normal

12 WOMANSWAY.IE

skin. As a result of the lack of sebum, dry skin above. When possible use a good night cream, Skincare savvy
lacks the lipids that it needs to retain moisture as this will work on your skin whilst you
and build a protective shield against external sleep so that you wake up looking refreshed, terms is a general description of people who
influences. is leads to an impaired barrier hydrated and radiant.” suffer from breakouts, flushing, blushing
function. Dry skin (Xerosis) exists in varying and or itching when in contact with certain
degrees of severity and in different forms that is sentiment is echoed by Virginie chemicals, usually contained in topical
are not always clearly distinguishable.” Vuillaume, a natural skincare expert and preparations or household cleaners.”
owner of Virginie Claire Beauty Centre in
e opposite of this is ‘oily’ which has a Kenilworth, Dublin 6. e experts at Olay say that this can become
number of tell tale signs. worse due to environmental concerns, “Put
“ e best advice I can give you is to create simply, sensitive skin is caused by damage
“‘Oily’ is used to describe a skin type with a good skincare routine: a bit like your teeth. to the skin’s moisture barrier that can occur
heightened sebum production. An over If you brush your teeth regularly, they will from any number of sources; such as over-
production is known as seborrhea. Oily have longevity and remain in good condition. cleansing, over-exfoliation or in winter,
skin is prone to comedones (blackheads and Your skin is the same, the basic rule to follow it’s likely down to being exposed to harsh
whiteheads) and to the varying forms of acne. is to use a gentle cleanser and moisturiser to weather. Skin can become more sensitive in
Oily skin is characterised by: enlarged, clearly protect.” the winter months, mainly as a result of the
visible pores, a glossy shine, thicker, pale temperature changes that we put our skin
skin, blood vessels may not be visible.” Jeanette also recommends that you, “Use through.”
the best products you can afford for your
Finally, there’s ‘combination’ skin, skin type, and if you are not sure – and not Selene advises, “Everyone’s skin can benefit
something a lot of us can suffer from. is can everyone knows what their skin type is – from gently daily cleansing – even if they are
be a little more complex to manage than the pop in for a free consultation to your local not make up wearers. Harsh cleansing can be
other types due to skin’s competing needs. professional salon. Skincare therapists have counterproductive leading to worsening of
trained for many years and are the best people acne and rosacea and is the leading cause of
“In combination skin the skin types vary to advise on treatments and products.” sensitivity.”
in the T-zone and the cheeks. e so-called
T-zone can differ substantially – from a very Virginie also advises asking for help if you What you need to do to tackle this is to be
slim zone to an extended area. Combination find you’re a little in the dark on your own mindful when selecting product. Virginie
skin is characterised by: an oily T-zone skin. says, “if your skin is sensitive, ingredients
(forehead, chin and nose), enlarged pores in such as sunflower, hyaluronic, Shea butter,
this area perhaps with some impurities and “I highly advise you to seek professional chamomile and ylang ylang are going to
normal to dry cheeks.” knowledge with an experienced beauty deliver what your skin is looking for. Don’t
therapist or dermatologist. Get a few options buy just because of a pretty jar and fancy
Make the right choice to find out how your skin is and which packaging, think about what it contains.”
products suit it. We are all individuals so
When it comes to selecting products to suit different products suit different people. In the To avoid further irritation Selene advises
your skin type Jeanette Haynes, Clinical end it will save you a lot of time and money.” buying skincare that is specially formulated
Director of Bodybenefits Medical Aesthetic for sensitive skin such as those from Nivea’s
Clinic, Galway says that you don’t need to go Her advice on picking products is equally Daily Essentials Sensitive Skin range. Her
overboard. Rather, make sure that you get practical. favourite?
your basic routine right.
“Look at the ingredients the product offers “Nivea Daily Essentials Sensitive 3 in 1
“Your skincare routine does not need a you and purchase your cosmetics knowing Micellar Cleansing… it offers an effective
whole army of products: you need to cleanse what it contains and what it is going to do.” and caring cleanse which respects the
(day and night), then treat the skin with a skin’s natural barrier and leaves your skin
serum or treatment cream and follow with a Feeling sensitive feeling refreshed. Dexpanthenol helps your
day cream and SPF – many day creams also skin retain moisture and promotes skin cell
In addition to the four types of skin detailed regeneration, whilst grape seed oil provides
contain above around 50 per cent of women around intensive care. Its formula is designed to help
an SPF – it the world class their skin as sensitive, that’s to protect against the three main signs of
should be according to research from Olay. sensitive skin; redness, tightness and dryness,
SPF 15 or whilst still providing a deep cleanse and
Sensitive skin expert dermatologist Selene moisturising effect.” WW
Daly says, “Sensitive skin in dermatology

By Louise Finn Spotlight on… In the dark on exfoliation and why We naturally renew our skin cells wrinkles, age spots and slack skin.
it’s necessary? Clare O’Hanlon, every 28 days, but this process These acids work from the inside
Exfoliation Business Development Manager, tends to slow down as we age. out so the results will appear
Juliette Armand Skincare answers When dead skins build up and up a er a few days. An SPF must
the big questions. we are le will a dull complexion. be accompanied with acids and
What is an exfoliator? We are also le with ageing skin AHAs. Oily and combination
An exfoliator is anything that as holes appear through the layers skins will benefit from scrubs
helps to remove dead skin cells of dead skin and our moisture as they can retain any excess
on our face and body. These escapes. By exfoliating our skin we oil in the beads and clear out
include: scrubs, AHAs, acids, are speeding up the cell renewal the blocked pores. Salicylic acid
sugar/salts and they are usually process and this leaves us with is a common acid for treating
added with a liquid of some form bright, hydrated skin. acne as it is anti-bacterial and
to help disperse it. Exfoliators How can you pick the right anti-inflammatory while a very
used on the face should be exfoliator? light exfoliator can be used on
di erent to the body as the skin is Ageing skin may benefit normal/sensitive skin once a
thinner on the face. exfoliation more o en, lactic/ week so the other products can
What is an exfoliator’s job? glycolic acids aims to treat penetrate well.

WOMANSWAY.IE 13