I have always had an interest in skin and skincare and was blessed with good skin as a teenager, but in the last few years I've experienced the woes of poor skin and it has highlighted to me what an impact the health of your skin can have on your self-confidence and wellbeing.
I live with a skin condition called Melasma, a form of hyperpigmentation which results in irregular brown/grey patches on the face. It's usually a result of a change in hormones or stress and brought on by sun damage, all of which I have experienced over the past few years.
When it first appeared I didn’t know what it was and I spent about a year frustratingly trying to find out. There were many tears and sadly my confidence was knocked tenfold. I tried to speak to beauty consultants on makeup counters for advice but they hadn’t even heard of the condition and instead just looked around my face rather bewilderingly before sending me off with a load of creams and an empty purse. Doctors prescribed me a bunch of creams which often brought me out in spots (thrush cream?! – sure, why not!) and I waited six months for a referral to see a dermatologist on Harley St. He confirmed it was Melasma, but suggested I have a £500+ chemical peel which may or may not help and would require me to get a taxi home whilst my face peeled off (aka Face/Off) for the next few days….which I decided against, strangely enough!
Whilst I continue to try various lotions and potions and wear SPF everyday to stop it getting worse, I've realised the main cure is acceptance. It could be far worse, in fact I've been reassured by many that it's not even noticeable, and that it's more important to focus positively on what I have got and how I feel on the inside; in turn, this should radiate on the outside.
Sadly this went out the window with the recent stress and heartbreak of losing my mum when my skin broke out in spots, lumps and bumps, made even worse by an attractive cold sore appearing on my lip. The problem is is that when you're feeling crap, the last thing you need is to look in the mirror and look crap, but I guess it's life's funny way of telling you to start looking after yourself...
I live with a skin condition called Melasma, a form of hyperpigmentation which results in irregular brown/grey patches on the face. It's usually a result of a change in hormones or stress and brought on by sun damage, all of which I have experienced over the past few years.
When it first appeared I didn’t know what it was and I spent about a year frustratingly trying to find out. There were many tears and sadly my confidence was knocked tenfold. I tried to speak to beauty consultants on makeup counters for advice but they hadn’t even heard of the condition and instead just looked around my face rather bewilderingly before sending me off with a load of creams and an empty purse. Doctors prescribed me a bunch of creams which often brought me out in spots (thrush cream?! – sure, why not!) and I waited six months for a referral to see a dermatologist on Harley St. He confirmed it was Melasma, but suggested I have a £500+ chemical peel which may or may not help and would require me to get a taxi home whilst my face peeled off (aka Face/Off) for the next few days….which I decided against, strangely enough!
Whilst I continue to try various lotions and potions and wear SPF everyday to stop it getting worse, I've realised the main cure is acceptance. It could be far worse, in fact I've been reassured by many that it's not even noticeable, and that it's more important to focus positively on what I have got and how I feel on the inside; in turn, this should radiate on the outside.
Sadly this went out the window with the recent stress and heartbreak of losing my mum when my skin broke out in spots, lumps and bumps, made even worse by an attractive cold sore appearing on my lip. The problem is is that when you're feeling crap, the last thing you need is to look in the mirror and look crap, but I guess it's life's funny way of telling you to start looking after yourself...
Let's Talk Science
Skin is the largest and most outwardly obvious organ to show the effects of poor health, skin damage and ageing. As youngsters we take our skin for granted – unless you’ve been plagued with acne as a teenager, for which I have nothing but sympathy for you - but as soon as fine lines and age spots start appearing we start to take notice and suddenly invest our time and money in it.
Like it or not our skin becomes ‘mature’ at the age of 25, so we should really be preventing any damage or ageing prior to that. But, fear not, for those of us who blew out those 25 candles several years ago we can still help to slow down the process of ageing and protect our skin from further damage by adopting a good skin care regime and a healthier lifestyle - at any stage.
Like it or not our skin becomes ‘mature’ at the age of 25, so we should really be preventing any damage or ageing prior to that. But, fear not, for those of us who blew out those 25 candles several years ago we can still help to slow down the process of ageing and protect our skin from further damage by adopting a good skin care regime and a healthier lifestyle - at any stage.
First thing’s first, it is important to identify your skin type to work out what products will work best for you. If you use the wrong products it can make your skin react, change the PH level of your skin and cause damage.
Skin Types - are genetic; it's what you inherit from your parents, but it can change with time
We can only have one skin type and it is genetically determined by our parents, but it can change over time. Skin types vary depending on the oil content, the water content and the sensitivity level. We cannot actively treat or change skin types, but we can aim to control them, for example we can prevent further drying of dry skin by using appropriate skin care.
Normal Dry Oily | The lucky ones! Smooth, clear, firm, even skin tone, rarely any spots. Dull, flaky, feeling of tightness, more pronounced lines, slight redness and sensitivity. Prone to shininess, can suffer with spots, blackheads and open pores, especially in the T-Zone area, sallow colouring. (Good news - oily skin tends to age the slowest as it acts as a natural lubricant and plumps the skin!) |
Combination | A combination of two of the above skin types – usually one is more pronounced than the other, e.g. oily T-Zone and normal cheeks. |
If you are interested in finding out what your skin type is and you're struggling to work it out yourself then you can go to a beauty counter in Debenhams or Boots and ask a consultant to help you for free (Clinque is very good at this). They will usually ask you some questions and have a good look/feel, and often you'll receive some free samples to try before you potentially buy. Or book yourself in for a facial and receive a more thorough skin analysis with a trained Beauty Therapist, such as myself!
SKIN Conditions - What you develop over time due to your environment and lifestyle
There are loads of skin conditions, some more common than others, and all mostly treatable or at least manageable. We will all experience some type of skin condition during our lives. Our skin is constantly changing and is heavily affected by our environment and product routines, as well as factors such as surgery, medication, weather, stress and illness. You can also have a combination of skin conditions.
Common skin conditions are:
Common skin conditions are:
- Sensitive - flushing, pink/redness, dryness, rash-like bumps/hives, etc.
- Dehydrated - taught, itchy, dry, flaky, less-supple, fine lines.
- Mature skin - fine lines progressing to deeper wrinkles, dryness, uneven skin tone, age spots, etc.
- Oedematous - excess water causes swollen and puffy skin, usually around the eyes.
- Acne - spots, bumps, blackheads, etc.
- Rosacea - redness, broken capillaries and spots which flare up or last long term.
- Eczema - dry, red skin that itches and burns, worse cases can lead to blistering bleeding.
- Vitiligo - a form of hypopigmentation where skin loses melanin and therefore leaves patches of pale skin; more noticeable on dark or tanned skin.
Skin Care Routine
However you wash your face and whatever products you use, it's important to remember to wash your face every morning and evening. Over night your skin is trying to repair any damage so it needs to be clean whilst it creates a natural protective 'film' on your face - natural oils, sebum, etc - which can then be washed off in the morning, as long as you protect it again with a SPF moisturiser. You should always take your makeup off before you go to bed (even if the room's spinning!).
Some people spend seconds using a face wipe, others spend a good half an hour applying several creams and serums. Everyone's different and there is no set way of doing it, but you can always improve or shake up your skincare routine. Here is a suggested routine with the points highlighted in pink being more important:
Some people spend seconds using a face wipe, others spend a good half an hour applying several creams and serums. Everyone's different and there is no set way of doing it, but you can always improve or shake up your skincare routine. Here is a suggested routine with the points highlighted in pink being more important:
- Pre-cleanse: eye makeup remover, oil, micellar water
- Cleanse: foam, gel, cream, lotion, oil, brushes, flannels, etc
- Exfoliate: once a week or up to 2-3 times a week for combination/oily skin
- Mask: once a week; setting, non-setting, peel off
- Toner: ideally for combination/oily skin, otherwise it may dry your skin out
- Serums: target skin concerns; anti-ageing, dark spots, etc.
- Moisturise: day cream with SPF, night cream rich cream/oil
- Eye cream: gel, cream, etc
Treat From The Inside Out
| Other lifestyle improvements that can be made:
Facials are the ultimate skin treat! They provide your face with a deep cleanse, steam, exfoliation and mask to draw out any impurities and improve the overall condition and circulation of your skin, as well as a relaxing and stimulating shoulder, neck and head massage. Facials can vary in price from £25 to £4000 depending on whether you use regular spa products, or high-end crushed gemstones, snails or even your own blood (ahem, Kim Kardashian)!! I am currently offering facials for a bargain £15 so please let me know if you would like to book an hour out of your busy lives and treat your skin. |   |
I find skin fascinating and enjoy learning about the science behind it, the various skin conditions and products available to help cure specific concerns. I just wish I had a bigger budget to try them all out!! I know first hand that skin can have a HUGE impact on your self-confidence and wellbeing so if you are affected then go get some help, either from a trained beauty therapist, doctor or dermatologist. Most of all appreciate the skin you're in and look after yourself from the inside out, because beauty is more than skin deep when you really think about it.
Laura x
Laura x
