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Regardless of advances in skincare technology or trends which might dictate which products people use, there are certain questions which seem to get asked time and time again. Our clients often ask us questions regarding which are the best products for their skin and there are countless groups on social media where people can go for skincare advice, so with this in mind we thought we’d look at some of the most Googled skincare questions and give you our expert opinion:
What products should everyone have in their skin care routine?
This is an age-old question and one that we’ve attempted to answer in previous posts. For most people, the products themselves will depend on their skin type (someone with acne–prone skin won’t have the same concerns as someone with ageing skin, for instance). However, the main products that we would advocate for in a bare-minimum routine would be a cleanser, a moisturiser and something which contains an SPF, all of which should be targeted for your specific skin type.
How often should you exfoliate?
There aren’t any specific rules on how often you should exfoliate, and again, it will depend greatly on your skin type AND the type of exfoliator you’re using. Once or twice a week is usually more than enough for any type of skin, however something like Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is specifically formulated for daily use on all skin types and won’t cause any redness of irritation with regular usage.
Do you need different products for morning and evening?
While a lot of “experts” will tell you that day creams are just as useful at night, there is a difference between day and night products. Day time formulas will usually be more easily absorbed and designed to be compatible with other cosmetics, while night formulas will be thicker and richer as they generally have a minimum of eight hours to soak into your skin. If you’re looking for a potent night cream which has visible effects on your skin, we highly recommend Elemis BIOTEC Skin Energising Night Cream.
What’s the best age to start using anti-aging products?
Many people will wait until the signs of ageing start to show before reaching for targeted products, but as far as we’re concerned, it’s never too early to use anti-ageing products. The clue is in the name – ANTI-ageing! As we’ve said before, prevention is better than cure so investing in a good anti-ageing regime, such as Aromatherapy Associates Anti-Ageing will allow you to get ahead of the signs of ageing before they begin.
Can you use retinol if you have sensitive skin?
This is a tricky one to answer. Generally speaking, people with sensitive skin can use retinol (highly concentrated vitamin A, to those who don’t know), but they’re better off sticking to a lower concentration or starting low and working their way up. There is, however, a natural alternative to retinol, called bakuchiol. Medik8 have created their CSA Bakuchiol Edition Kit for people looking for a gentle, natural alternative to retinol which still offers powerful results.