Mairead Robinson suggests ways of maximizing the benefits of your beauty regime
Some people think that having an effective skin care regime means spending a lot of money, and indeed there are many luxury products out there that certainly cost quite a lot. But if you purchase wisely and use appropriately, your skin care should not cost the earth.
Let’s start with the products that you have purchased. Choose wisely and ensure that the products you have bought are exactly what your skin type needs – there is no benefit to using cream for dry skin if you have oily skin, for example. Check your products regularly and make sure they are in date. If you let them get out of date, they will certainly have reduced efficacy. If you see your skin creams showing a lumpy or yellowing appearance indicating a change in structure, this means some of the product is no longer at its best. When it comes to pump bottles, you may find the first measure of product out of the dispenser is affected the most. Get rid of this and use a fresher second or third measure for maximum benefit, as recommended by facial skin care experts. The next point is how to store your products. A bathroom window sill or a sunny open shelf may seem like a good place to keep your skin care products, however this is not the case. The fast changing temperatures in the bathroom could be affecting how your toiletries work. Retinol, Vitamin C and SPFs are all sensitive to slight and heat, it can cause them to become less efficient. Therefore, keep your lotions in a cool, dark place. I keep all my skin care products in a drawer in the bedroom.
The final tip then is to use the products as recommended by the manufacturer. There is no benefit to applying layer after layer of moisturiser or serum when one of each does the job perfectly, applying the serum first on cleansed skin, followed by the moisturiser. Once you have chosen the correct product for your skin condition, use as recommended, no more and no less, in order to get the maximum benefit from your purchase.
And so to price. You might be surprised to learn that there are some great bargains out there with top class beauty products. For example check out www.theordinary.com where you can get Hyaluronic Acid, in a very pure form at a fraction of what some beauty brands charge for a similar product. Hyalluronic Acid is a very important ingredient for younger looking skin, and this hydrator smoothes and plumps the skin. Hyaluronic Acid 2 per cent + B5 is the ultimate hydration. Also check out Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution, which is a Vitamin C solution that brightens the skin and is another key ingredient in the battle against ageing skin as it targets dullness, signs of aging and uneven skin tone. You can check out these and other great products at excellent prices either on line or at select branches of Boots Chemists.
Nivea is a very popular brand that has been providing effective products at very affordable prices for some years. New to their collection is the Derma Skin Clear range which tackles blemish-prove skin with its most advanced face cleanse collection. Formulated with Salicylic Acids, Gycolic Acid and Niacinamide, this new range supports the skin’s own natural renewal process, unclogs pores and reduces the appearance of blemishes with visible skin improvements in just seven days. The range consists of Derma Skin Clear Chemical Exfoliator – which is priced at just €7.99. The other products in the range are all priced at just €6.99 and they consist of Derma Skin Care Wash Gel, Derma Skin Clear Toner, and Derma Skin Clear anti-blemish scrub. These products are suitable for both men and women and anybody who suffers from blemish-prone skin who suffer from pimples, oiliness and uneven skin.
A favourite luxury skin care brand have just released a really effective colour correcting range of products. And they are coming in at a very affordable price. Clarins have launched their SOS Primer collection that boosts radiance and preps and hydrates the skin and minimises signs of fatigue. These new SOS Primers are not just primers, but also real skin rescue products. They are highly effective and high performance and literally come to the rescue of your skin to make it more beautiful – even bare. They enhance the radiance of bare skin and also improve make-up hold and allow the skin to breath. They can be applied alone or before foundation. And the great thing about these new creams, is that they are priced at just €33.50
For those who wish to minimise the appearance of fine lines – don’t we all?- Clarins have launched instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, which smoothes wrinkles and fine lines, giving a blur effect texture and can be applied alone of before make-up. This little beauty costs just €34 And the products do not cost the earth – literally, they are plant based and while kind to your purse, they are also kind to the earth.
Available at Clarins stockists nationwide and on www.clarins.ie
So it is wise to shop around, know what suits your skin and check out the regular three for two offers at Boots, and other similar offers. There is no need to comprise on good skin care if you shop around!
