CLEANSE, TONE, MOISTURISE. Remember when skincare
was that simple? Now there are seemingly endless products to
navigate in the quest for brighter, tighter, clearer skin. Innovation
is exciting, but it can also lead to confusion (Do I really need
that pre-serum serum?) and layering on too many actives is
ultimately going to backfire. Consider this a refresher course on
what’s worth your time — and money — as selected by the pros.
A tightly edited routine of powerhouse ingredients will return
dividends. Here’s where to invest.BASIC TRAINING: SKINCARE 101
HEALTHY SKIN DOESN’T REQUIRE A 14-STEP PROCESS.
HERE, FIVE SIMPLE RULES TO FOLLOW:- Wear sunscreen (our picks for reef safe options on page 136).
- Always wash your face before you go to bed, even if you
don’t wear makeup. - Exfoliate. Be gentle and don’t overdo it.
- Follow the instructions on a product. Applying too much of
any ingredient equals disaster, not improved results. - Give your skin a month to adjust to a new skincare item
before you make a judgment (unless you have an immediate
adverse reaction, such as swelling or hives).
I LIKE TO CHOP AND CHANGE. WHY
DO I NEED A PARTICULAR ROUTINE?
Skin is the largest organ of the body — it
serves many purposes such as protecting
us from bad bacteria and regulating
body temperature. It’s the ultimate multi-
tasker, but with age, its ability to work
optimally declines. Skincare, specifically
the ingredients listed on the next page,
can help to boost its functionality (vitamin
A, for example, repairs cell DNA that’s
damaged by UV), and sticking to
a consistent routine will maximise results.
“[Having a routine is] an essential part of
having healthy skin,” says Dr Dennis
Gross, a dermatologist in New York
City, noting that the results you can get
from using at-home products today are
“unprecedented”.WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY
TO WASH MY FACE?
Studies prove that living in a polluted
urban environment wreaks havoc on
skin, so don’t underestimate the
importance of a thorough cleanse. In
the evening, start by removing eye
makeup, which can be tricky to get off.
Then double-cleanse: use either an oil-
based cleanser, micellar water or
makeup remover followed by a face
wash. The idea is to wash off all your
makeup on the first rinse so the second
cleanse can be all about your skin,
removing the build-up of oil, dirt and
pollution that accumulates on your face
throughout the day. Make sure the
water temperature is not too hot or too
cold — you want it to be just right.CAN’T I JUST USE A FACE WIPE?
Not really. Aside from it not being the
most environmentally friendly of options,
some people can get redness and
irritation from the preservatives in wipes.
WHAT ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS?
The TGA prohibits definitive claims
around supplement benefits, but they’ll
likely make a difference, especially if
your day-to-day diet is lacking, says
Natalie Abouchar, RN and director of
Sydney’s Privée Clinic. With growing
awareness of the connection between
inner gut health and outer skin glow, pre
and probiotics won’t hurt either. Staying
hydrated helps. And seek guidance
from a doctor before eliminating food
groups (there’s still debate, for example,
over the dairy and acne correlation). >SKINCARE
14 THE NUMBER OF
DAYS YOUR SKIN MIGHT
“PURGE” (THAT IS, BREAK
OUT) WHEN TRYING A NEW
ACNE TRE ATMENT.
Note: If you don’t usually get pimples and
are using a product that’s not intended to
treat acne but you’re breaking out, the
product likely doesn’t agree with your skin,
says Dr Dennis Gross. Discontinue use.26 THE PERCENTAGE
OF WOMEN WHO SHOP
FOR HEALTH AND BEAUTY
YOU HAVE PRODUCTS ONLINE*QUESTIONS
- WE HAVE
ANSWERS
*According to Roy Morgan