THAT MARKETING COMPANIES WOULD LOVE YOU TO BUY :)
Neck creams:
Please see these 3 important reasons that you DO NOT need a separate ‘neck cream’:
1. There are no product ingredients that are developed exclusively for the neck.
2. The way a product interacts with the skin is identical for the face and the neck.
3. The serums you use on your face for anti-ageing and firming – such as Vitamin C and Vitamin A work exactly the same on the neck.
These 'neck creams' are generally over-priced and over packaged. They really can be a waste of your hard earned money that could be better spent and products that will actually make a genuine difference.
Our plastic surgeon Andrew Ives highly recommends Vitamin C and Vitamin A serums combined. These 2 serums have amazing collagen boosting power to create firming, smoothing and clearing.
If your neck is really a concern for you, please look into the "Cutera Titan" laser. It is expensive, but has good results with firming and toning. A consultation with a plastic surgeon may also be something to think about.
If it is a manageable concern, stick with your vitamin A and C serums - and see the difference! Ask your skin clinic to do before and after photos for you.
Overpriced cleansers:
A cleanser that is priced at over $100 is way over-priced!
A cleanser is not in contact with the skin long enough for some of these high end ingredients to work.
With a cleanser it is best to keep it simple. Save your money for something that is going to stay in contact with your skin a little longer than 20 seconds.
That said - it is important to remember that the cleansing step is extremely important to get right.
The primary purpose of a cleanser is to gently clean the skin without stripping the skin of its barrier.
Different skin types require different strengths of cleansing.
If skin is over-cleansed it can lead to irritation, dryness, dehydration and sensitivities that any amount of moisturising or serums will not be able to correct.
Similarly – if a skin is under-cleansed, congestion, blackhead, pimples and acne can result.
It is best to contact your nearest skin clinic for expert advice on the correct cleanser for your skin.
10 to 20 years ago, it was believed that toning was an important step in our daily skin care routines. This step was to: 1. ‘Shrink’ the pores, and 2. Remove all traces of cleanser.
1. ‘Shrink’ the pores. Since then we have found out that there actually is no way of ‘shrinking’ pores. They are the size they are – no amount of witch hazel or alcohol applied to the skin can change that.
We can however reduce that appearance of larger pores with courses of chemical peels, microdermabrasion, CIT and laser treatments. These treatments smooth over the surface of skin, to create a more level and even appearance.
2. Remove all traces of cleanser. 10 to 20 years ago, cleansers were highly synthetic, containing strong irritants. This is why the ‘toning’ step was important. If traces were left on the skin, irritation was likely to occur.
Thankfully the way cleansers (especially professional cleansers) are formulated has changed. Most professional quality cleansers are based on natural ingredients and have a slight hydrating quality. If traces are left on the skin, it is perfectly fine, and it will have no impact on the skin whatsoever.
My advice, once again – leave out the ‘toning’ step, put that money back into your purse and save it for something that will actually make an impact on your skin.
Everyone should do the very basics – cleanse the skin, protect your skin from the sun, and moisturise. If your interest is to make actual changes to your skin e.g. reverse the signs of ageing and get clearer skin – the very best thing you can do is get advice from your local skin clinic – they will point you in the right direction J
Happy shopping!
Paula J
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