Me:
I'm 35, lots of fine lines around my eyes a couple of small but very deep lines around my mouth. I can get a bit dry around my nose but on the whole my skin is normal. I do suffer with monthly breakouts and more pores are very visible. In addition I have in the last three or four years started to get small hard flesh coloured bumps on my skin that can stick around for months. I suspect it might be a mild case of Milia. What would you recommend for my skincare routine?
Firstly cleansing, and removal of make-up at the end of your day, is the foundation of fabulous skin. Using a creamy cleanser and removing with a pure cotton muslin cloth will eliminate dead cells that can make skin feel drier, and can also contribute to milia. Regular exfoliation will also reduce congestion on problem areas.
To combat the fine lines around your eyes and lips, I recommend a multi-use product such as Superskin Eye & Lip Treatment, packed with toning and firming pear seed extract, it will hydrate and nourish skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Milia usually appear white under the skin so if they are flesh coloured you may want to get them checked with a doctor.
Lydia:
I have extreme combination skin - oily, oily on nose (and around nostril sides) but insanely dry around chin, upper eye area and 'normal' everywhere else. I have pretty good, even tone, and it's in good condition wrinkle-wise (considering I'm 36 and used to smoke like a trooper!). Any advice on what to use would be very, very welcome! Thanks!
Dryness on the chin and eye area could possibly be an allergy or sensitivity to a particular ingredient, or food, or could possibly indicate a hormonal change. In Eastern culture, the face is seen as a map of the body (much like Reflexology), and although we are pre-disposed to genetic factors, our skin is a reflection of what is going on inside. The chin represents the ovaries, so can indicate hormonal fluctuations, and the eyes relate to elimination from the body. I would always advise supplements such as Evening Primrose or Borage Oil for hormonal changes and Milk Thistle to help elimination through the liver. Always consult your doctor first though.
For skincare, a PH balanced cleanser such as Cleanse & Polish will keep skin hydrated and balanced where it is needed. Also, try to avoid toners with alcohol as this can dry out skin and also make it produce more oil.
Stacey:
I have about thirty spots consistently, but I've learned to live with it, my main concern is dryness...as i have spots i can't exfoliate as it opens them up and spreads them around the face but i n am dry, and find when i apply makeup it cakes and builds up on the dryness, help1!xx
I'm 35, lots of fine lines around my eyes a couple of small but very deep lines around my mouth. I can get a bit dry around my nose but on the whole my skin is normal. I do suffer with monthly breakouts and more pores are very visible. In addition I have in the last three or four years started to get small hard flesh coloured bumps on my skin that can stick around for months. I suspect it might be a mild case of Milia. What would you recommend for my skincare routine?
Firstly cleansing, and removal of make-up at the end of your day, is the foundation of fabulous skin. Using a creamy cleanser and removing with a pure cotton muslin cloth will eliminate dead cells that can make skin feel drier, and can also contribute to milia. Regular exfoliation will also reduce congestion on problem areas.
To combat the fine lines around your eyes and lips, I recommend a multi-use product such as Superskin Eye & Lip Treatment, packed with toning and firming pear seed extract, it will hydrate and nourish skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Milia usually appear white under the skin so if they are flesh coloured you may want to get them checked with a doctor.
Lydia:
I have extreme combination skin - oily, oily on nose (and around nostril sides) but insanely dry around chin, upper eye area and 'normal' everywhere else. I have pretty good, even tone, and it's in good condition wrinkle-wise (considering I'm 36 and used to smoke like a trooper!). Any advice on what to use would be very, very welcome! Thanks!
Dryness on the chin and eye area could possibly be an allergy or sensitivity to a particular ingredient, or food, or could possibly indicate a hormonal change. In Eastern culture, the face is seen as a map of the body (much like Reflexology), and although we are pre-disposed to genetic factors, our skin is a reflection of what is going on inside. The chin represents the ovaries, so can indicate hormonal fluctuations, and the eyes relate to elimination from the body. I would always advise supplements such as Evening Primrose or Borage Oil for hormonal changes and Milk Thistle to help elimination through the liver. Always consult your doctor first though.
For skincare, a PH balanced cleanser such as Cleanse & Polish will keep skin hydrated and balanced where it is needed. Also, try to avoid toners with alcohol as this can dry out skin and also make it produce more oil.
Stacey:
I have about thirty spots consistently, but I've learned to live with it, my main concern is dryness...as i have spots i can't exfoliate as it opens them up and spreads them around the face but i n am dry, and find when i apply makeup it cakes and builds up on the dryness, help1!xx
As spots are caused by inflammation in your body, avoid using any harsh ingredients such as AHA, or Retin-A, as these can sometimes make your skin dry and irritated. Always use an oil-based cleanser, which works in synergy with your skins natural oils and will keep your skin nourished and calm.
Try to follow an anti-inflammatory diet - eat oily fish, vegetables and salads, and high levels of anti-oxidants such as vitamin E, green tea and blueberries. Try to reduce your intake of wheat and cow’s milk- these can be inflammatory for some people. Also try to completely avoid sugar, alcohol and caffeine. Once you have addressed the inflammation that is causing your spots, use a day and night moisturiser that is rich in plant oils such as borage oil and anti-oxidant vitamin E. Also try using a hydrating mask (containing moisture-rich shea butter) weekly will help to combat dryness. Stress can cause spots, so try to reduce it by exercising, going on regular walks, having massages or even just doing a pastime you really enjoy!
Jemma:
I have scars on my face left over from spots and I was wondering what’s the best way to treat them, get rid of them and prevent new ones?
Rosehip oil is a wonderful ingredient for repairing scar tissue. Whilst it won’t remove scarring, it will certainly diminish it and will leave skin soft and renewed. Try our Superskin Concentrate, a super-intense aromatic blend of 100% pure plant oils with rosehip oil and vitamin E rich argan oil- a restoring treat for all skin types which will reinstate balance and help your skin to heal.
To prevent new spots from appearing, try our Deep Cleansing Mask (with green clay and manuka honey) is a great treatment for excess oils, inflammation and breakouts. It can be mixed with Cleanse & Polish or used alone as an intensive mask twice weekly for 10 minutes.
Also, to avoid further scarring, remember not to squeeze spots - spots should be left alone to heal. Squeezing can spread bacteria and cause more inflammation. To help clear break outs, regularly apply an alcohol-free spot treatment that won’t irritate the skin. Essential oils including antiseptic and antibacterial tea tree oil, purifying melissa and healing lavender will stop spot-causing bacteria in its tracks. Try the Liz Earle Spot-On which is packed with all three of these hard working essential oils and additionally contains natural source vitamin E to help repair and protect the skin. Also see tips on diet provided to Jemma above.
Janner:
New mum, dry hands from washing 20+ times per day. Normal hand cream not even touching it, any ideas?
The condition of your hands can be dramatically improved by using good skincare in only a matter of weeks. Use a hand wash that is sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) free. SLS is a cleaning agent that allows a product to foam, but is extremely drying. Choose foaming agents from corn and coconut origin. Try our Orange Flower Hand Wash which is family friendly and ultra gentle, suitable for the most sensitive of skins. It has been specifically designed to help protect and hydrate skin by including naturally active skin softeners betaine, inulin and panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) to help moisturise and condition. Follow with our Hand Repair, a hand cream rich in repairing and hydrating pro-vitamin B5, leaving your hands soft and silky.
When you are a new mum time is a luxury, so incorporate your hand care within your daily facial routine. To maximise your products, use your facial exfoliator on the backs of your hands - this works a treat, and also allows deeper penetration of nourishing ingredients from masks and oils. You can also try applying our Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask before going to bed. Calming and deeply moisturising, this nutrient rich mask is a sanctuary for dehydrated, dry skin, or stressed skin- the perfect treat for hands overnight. Also try to wear gloves when doing cleaning or using harsh every day products at home.
Graham:
I've suffered from terrible razor burn/shaving rash/spots on my face and neck (yes, I'm a man) in all my years of shaving. I had some initial success with TendSkin but that stopped being effective after a while.
I've now switched to using an electric shaver and surgical spirit (it's a LOT cheaper than TendSkin) which seems to have helped, but again its effectiveness is starting to wane.
Do you have any product advice on the long-term treatment of shaving rash & the associated spots without spending a fortune?
Surgical spirit is alcohol based, and doesn’t have any benefits for the skin (Beauty Therapists use it to clean their waxing equipment) and will completely dry your skin out. Always shave with the growth first, then against as this will make skin feel smoother and prevent in-growing hairs. I would recommend wet-shaving with a shave cream, such as Liz Earle Shave Cream for men. Only £10.00 for a 100ml tube, it is packed with skin-loving botanicals such as shave grass and clary sage that will soothe and nourish. Make sure to replace blades regularly, and only apply aftershave behind the ears, as splashing directly onto your neck after shaving will cause razor burn.
cheesetruck:
I have a similar problem to Graham, but it's UNDER my beard. Recently I began growing one - started due to not having a bathroom (renovation.) Since then I've been told NOT to shave it, as it looks far too good on me.
The problem is that the skin under my beard - I can't see it, I just know occasionally it begins itching, and of course I then begin to fuss at it. I then wash to be sure it's clean and so on.
I've heard that is the WRONG thing to do. Quite frankly, I don't know, and the "ask the Interwebz" is more likely to be inaccurate than accurate. Could you ask your expert friend if she has any general male facial tips, covering both shaving and not shaving. (I do shave some areas of the face.)
Also, like Graham, I'm not very interested in spending a fortune on it. Actually, I can't right now at all. But I will spend some money. Oh, and of course, it would help if it were available outside the UK - as I'm in Finland. Things like "Lush" and so on aren't here. (Yes I know, I'm sounding very non-male here, shut up.)
Avoid using soap on your face, as it has a PH of 9, and is alkaline based, whilst our skin is acid based and has a PH of 5.5, so the soap will dry out your skin, causing irritation. As we condition the scalp under our hair on our head, you should take this approach with your beard, so massage in a face and body wash (great multi-use product to save the pennies). Liz Earle Face & Body Wash contains soap bark, a great ingredient that naturally cleans, whilst also addressing issues such as dandruff and dry skin conditions. At only £7.75 for a 100ml tube, it is great value for such high quality naturally active ingredients.
For other areas, always shave with the growth first, then against as this will make skin feel smoother and prevent in-growing hairs. I would recommend wet-shaving with a shave cream, such as Liz Earle Shave Cream for men.
Stephanie:
I'd love to know if there is anything I can use to protect my skin from ageing - brown spots etc - that isn't heavy and/or greasy.
Did you know that 95% of skin aging is caused by UV damage? The skin’s collagen and elastin starts to deteriorate after the age of 22, so although we cannot stop the clock on skin aging, we can certainly ‘slow down the ticking’. Always use a mineral SPF of 20 or above on the face and body. Remember the SPF rule: if you can only be exposed to the sun for 10 minutes without burning, using an SPF of 20 will allow you a 20 times longer exposure without burning which equals 200 minutes of protected sun exposure.
Although mineral sunscreens can be thicker, they protect the skin by bouncing the UV rays away, whereas synthetic chemical sunscreens absorb the UV rays into the skin; this can cause prickly heat and irritation. Liz Earle Sun Shade SPF25 Face Protector offers great protection, and if you pat the product in it absorbs and nourishes the skin without leaving any greasy residue. Perfect for the whole family, including toddlers and young skin, it is also enriched with pure shea butter and natural-source Vitamin E to keep skin smooth and fight free radicals. Eat plenty of anti-oxidants to increase protection from within.
Try to follow an anti-inflammatory diet - eat oily fish, vegetables and salads, and high levels of anti-oxidants such as vitamin E, green tea and blueberries. Try to reduce your intake of wheat and cow’s milk- these can be inflammatory for some people. Also try to completely avoid sugar, alcohol and caffeine. Once you have addressed the inflammation that is causing your spots, use a day and night moisturiser that is rich in plant oils such as borage oil and anti-oxidant vitamin E. Also try using a hydrating mask (containing moisture-rich shea butter) weekly will help to combat dryness. Stress can cause spots, so try to reduce it by exercising, going on regular walks, having massages or even just doing a pastime you really enjoy!
Jemma:
I have scars on my face left over from spots and I was wondering what’s the best way to treat them, get rid of them and prevent new ones?
Rosehip oil is a wonderful ingredient for repairing scar tissue. Whilst it won’t remove scarring, it will certainly diminish it and will leave skin soft and renewed. Try our Superskin Concentrate, a super-intense aromatic blend of 100% pure plant oils with rosehip oil and vitamin E rich argan oil- a restoring treat for all skin types which will reinstate balance and help your skin to heal.
To prevent new spots from appearing, try our Deep Cleansing Mask (with green clay and manuka honey) is a great treatment for excess oils, inflammation and breakouts. It can be mixed with Cleanse & Polish or used alone as an intensive mask twice weekly for 10 minutes.
Also, to avoid further scarring, remember not to squeeze spots - spots should be left alone to heal. Squeezing can spread bacteria and cause more inflammation. To help clear break outs, regularly apply an alcohol-free spot treatment that won’t irritate the skin. Essential oils including antiseptic and antibacterial tea tree oil, purifying melissa and healing lavender will stop spot-causing bacteria in its tracks. Try the Liz Earle Spot-On which is packed with all three of these hard working essential oils and additionally contains natural source vitamin E to help repair and protect the skin. Also see tips on diet provided to Jemma above.
Janner:
New mum, dry hands from washing 20+ times per day. Normal hand cream not even touching it, any ideas?
The condition of your hands can be dramatically improved by using good skincare in only a matter of weeks. Use a hand wash that is sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) free. SLS is a cleaning agent that allows a product to foam, but is extremely drying. Choose foaming agents from corn and coconut origin. Try our Orange Flower Hand Wash which is family friendly and ultra gentle, suitable for the most sensitive of skins. It has been specifically designed to help protect and hydrate skin by including naturally active skin softeners betaine, inulin and panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) to help moisturise and condition. Follow with our Hand Repair, a hand cream rich in repairing and hydrating pro-vitamin B5, leaving your hands soft and silky.
When you are a new mum time is a luxury, so incorporate your hand care within your daily facial routine. To maximise your products, use your facial exfoliator on the backs of your hands - this works a treat, and also allows deeper penetration of nourishing ingredients from masks and oils. You can also try applying our Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask before going to bed. Calming and deeply moisturising, this nutrient rich mask is a sanctuary for dehydrated, dry skin, or stressed skin- the perfect treat for hands overnight. Also try to wear gloves when doing cleaning or using harsh every day products at home.
Graham:
I've suffered from terrible razor burn/shaving rash/spots on my face and neck (yes, I'm a man) in all my years of shaving. I had some initial success with TendSkin but that stopped being effective after a while.
I've now switched to using an electric shaver and surgical spirit (it's a LOT cheaper than TendSkin) which seems to have helped, but again its effectiveness is starting to wane.
Do you have any product advice on the long-term treatment of shaving rash & the associated spots without spending a fortune?
Surgical spirit is alcohol based, and doesn’t have any benefits for the skin (Beauty Therapists use it to clean their waxing equipment) and will completely dry your skin out. Always shave with the growth first, then against as this will make skin feel smoother and prevent in-growing hairs. I would recommend wet-shaving with a shave cream, such as Liz Earle Shave Cream for men. Only £10.00 for a 100ml tube, it is packed with skin-loving botanicals such as shave grass and clary sage that will soothe and nourish. Make sure to replace blades regularly, and only apply aftershave behind the ears, as splashing directly onto your neck after shaving will cause razor burn.
cheesetruck:
I have a similar problem to Graham, but it's UNDER my beard. Recently I began growing one - started due to not having a bathroom (renovation.) Since then I've been told NOT to shave it, as it looks far too good on me.
The problem is that the skin under my beard - I can't see it, I just know occasionally it begins itching, and of course I then begin to fuss at it. I then wash to be sure it's clean and so on.
I've heard that is the WRONG thing to do. Quite frankly, I don't know, and the "ask the Interwebz" is more likely to be inaccurate than accurate. Could you ask your expert friend if she has any general male facial tips, covering both shaving and not shaving. (I do shave some areas of the face.)
Also, like Graham, I'm not very interested in spending a fortune on it. Actually, I can't right now at all. But I will spend some money. Oh, and of course, it would help if it were available outside the UK - as I'm in Finland. Things like "Lush" and so on aren't here. (Yes I know, I'm sounding very non-male here, shut up.)
Avoid using soap on your face, as it has a PH of 9, and is alkaline based, whilst our skin is acid based and has a PH of 5.5, so the soap will dry out your skin, causing irritation. As we condition the scalp under our hair on our head, you should take this approach with your beard, so massage in a face and body wash (great multi-use product to save the pennies). Liz Earle Face & Body Wash contains soap bark, a great ingredient that naturally cleans, whilst also addressing issues such as dandruff and dry skin conditions. At only £7.75 for a 100ml tube, it is great value for such high quality naturally active ingredients.
For other areas, always shave with the growth first, then against as this will make skin feel smoother and prevent in-growing hairs. I would recommend wet-shaving with a shave cream, such as Liz Earle Shave Cream for men.
Stephanie:
I'd love to know if there is anything I can use to protect my skin from ageing - brown spots etc - that isn't heavy and/or greasy.
Did you know that 95% of skin aging is caused by UV damage? The skin’s collagen and elastin starts to deteriorate after the age of 22, so although we cannot stop the clock on skin aging, we can certainly ‘slow down the ticking’. Always use a mineral SPF of 20 or above on the face and body. Remember the SPF rule: if you can only be exposed to the sun for 10 minutes without burning, using an SPF of 20 will allow you a 20 times longer exposure without burning which equals 200 minutes of protected sun exposure.
Although mineral sunscreens can be thicker, they protect the skin by bouncing the UV rays away, whereas synthetic chemical sunscreens absorb the UV rays into the skin; this can cause prickly heat and irritation. Liz Earle Sun Shade SPF25 Face Protector offers great protection, and if you pat the product in it absorbs and nourishes the skin without leaving any greasy residue. Perfect for the whole family, including toddlers and young skin, it is also enriched with pure shea butter and natural-source Vitamin E to keep skin smooth and fight free radicals. Eat plenty of anti-oxidants to increase protection from within.
So that's everything! I'd like to thank you all for your questions and of course Jo & Pat at Liz Earle for their help & advice.
It's so nice of her to answer :)
ReplyDeleteI will be looking into the products that she recommended for me :)
Thanks! xx