Going back to basics
Each week our experts Dr AAMER KHAN and LESLEY REYNOLDS bring you the latest beauty news and anti-ageing advice
DO YOU ever feel your anti-ageing beauty routine is too complicated? You’re not alone. According to a new study from E45, conflicting advice about skincare has baffled shoppers completely.
From half-truths and contradictory information to overpriced “miracle” products, the anti-ageing market can be a confusing place.
In the poll, nine out of 10 women questioned said they just wished someone would give them a straight answer about skincare.
So we’ve answered some of the questions we get asked most regularly about beauty products and explained what you really need.
Q DO expensive anti-ageing creams really work?
A FACIAL ageing involves more than just the surface of the skin. Over time muscles weaken, collagen breaks down leading to sagging and natural volume decreases. If you are expecting a cream, whether it costs £5 or £500, to erase problems such as these you will be disappointed.
Lifting sagging skin and erasing deep lines and wrinkles is beyond the capability of any skincare product, no matter its cost or ingredients.
The only way you’ll achieve results is with non-surgical treatments such as lasers, peels and fillers that change the structure of the skin. The good news is that anti-ageing creams can do a lot to improve the condition of your skin. They can plump up the surface layer to smooth fine lines and boost radiance. However, you must have realistic expectations and remember there is no such thing as a facelift in a jar.
Finally, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on an anti-ageing cream. It is the ingredients that make a product worth buying.
The most expensive creams usually contain higher concentrations of active ingredients but premium brands also spend a lot more on packaging and marketing.
So it really is possible to find good anti-ageing skincare on a budget.
Q SHOULD I cleanse, tone and moisturise every day? A CLEANSING morning and evening will make a real difference to the quality and health of your skin.
It will revive the complexion, ridding it of make-up, pollutants and impurities as well as hydrating, soothing and invigorating skin cells. It will also prepare the skin to absorb any products you apply afterwards, such as an anti-ageing serum and moisturiser. Toners, astringents and clarifiers are designed to remove oil but in our opinion are unnecessary for most people and can cause dryness.
Q CAN using too many products clog the skin?
A YES, especially if you are not cleansing and exfoliating regularly. Pores become blocked if you overload your skin with too many different ingredients. When it comes to skincare, less is often more and you need to be careful not to introduce too many new products at once. Take time when you apply products, letting each cream or serum sink in before layering on the next one. Some products don’t mix well, such as retinol, glycolic acid, vitamin C and benzoyl peroxide, so avoid using them at the same time.
Q CAN anyone use retinol? A RETINOL can fight wrinkles, boost collagen levels and improve skin tone. It is derived from