MYTH
‘Drinking two litres of water a
day is all I need for good skin’
“Water plays an important role in skin health.
However, it is a myth that water alone is all
that is needed for skin hydration and glow,”Dr Zainab Laftah says. “Additionally, drinking
more than two litres of water will not improve skinappearance further. For optimal skin hydration,
drinking two litres of water and regular use ofmoisturiser containing ceramides and
humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerinewill help restore skin hydration and glow.”
Bunting adds that diet is also key: “Juicy skin also liesin what you eat. So double down on nuts, oily fish and
chia seeds, rather than endless guzzling of H
2O.”
FOUR HYDRATORS DESIGNED TO UP YOUR GLOW
Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream, £49,
from tomorrow Three different hyaluronic acidmolecules make up this moisturising powerhouse.
The gel-like texture melts into skin for an all-day glow.
Origins GinZing Glow-Boosting Gel Moisturizer,
£28.50 A cocktail of coffee, ginseng and citrus oils inthis gel moisturiser gives lacklustre skin an energising
boost. Treat it like a primer as the crushed mineral
pearls will leave skin looking illuminated.
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base, £46.50
Part moisturiser, part primer, this skincare hybrid has
all the hydrating heavy-hitters — hyaluronic acid, sheabutter, vitamins B, C and E — and is used by make-up
artists to create a smooth surface for foundation.Chanel No 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Serum, from
£90 A supercharged gel that feels refreshing andlightweight on application. Apply in the morning for
a hit of radiance. The useful dropper dispenses exactly
the amount you need.
MYTH
‘My skincare doesn’t expire’
“The symbol you see on your skincare that
looks like a little tub with a number on is the
‘period after opening’ symbol,” Thomson says.“If you keep using your skincare product after
the labelled period, there’s no guarantee thatthe preservatives will still be effective, and the
product may not be able to carry out its desiredfunction. Most cosmetics sold in the UK and EU have
a three-year shelf life, and are good to use for a six to12-month period after opening.” No need to panic if
you’ve been using the same bottle of moisturiser forthe past three years, though — Thomson says that
“while you are taking a risk the longer you leave it,moisturisers in airless pumps are most likely fine for a
long time”. It’s the actives you need to watch out for.“Active ingredients such as vitamin C and retinol are
famously unstable, so using these after their expirydate means they’ll be increasingly ineffective over
time, as the actives will oxidise and become useless.”MYTH
‘Retinol and acids
thin my skin’
Ask any pro and they’ll say the same thing: “Quite the
opposite.” Redness, peeling and inflammation have
become unfairly associated with retinoid use, butaccording to Bunting: “They actually thicken both the
dermis and the epidermis — which is a good thing.”MYTH
‘This cream can
reverse my wrinkles’
Hirons is quick to point out that “it’s a cream, not a
plastic surgeon”. Laftah adds that reversing is the
wrong word to use: “There are two actives proven toimprove the appearance of ageing skin through
collagen stimulation and remodelling, which areretinoids and azelaic acid. Unfortunately these
creams are not magic and will not erase wrinkles butthey can soften their appearance.”Azelaic acid is the
unsung hero of the skincare world. For some reason itdoesn’t get the hype it should, but it works hard to
improve overall skin clarity and is especially skilled atreducing post-acne scar redness and marks.
TRY Skin + Me subscription service, from £25a month After a consultation they’ll send a monthly
dose of the right amount of azelaic acid. Plus, if you’reat a loss with your skin and want some one-to-one
advice, this service is at the ready to help with acomplexion overhaul.
Skincare Special
EXPERT DR ZAINAB LAFTAH
EXPERT DR IFEOMA EJIKEME
The Sunday Times Style • 41