EYE CREAMS {BACK2BASICS}

Today in my series of Back2Basics posts, I would like to cover the topic of Eye Creams.

There are hundreds of eye creams, gels and serums out in the market place to choose from, but why are there so many, and are they really necessary?

Where do we look when we talk to someone....we look to their eyes, but did you know that?

The skin around the eye area is more delicate, it can be four to ten times finer than the skin on the rest of the face. You only need to compare it to the skin on the neck, to realise that you cannot treat these two areas in the same way.

As we age, the loss of collagen and elastin further adds to this problem.

The skin around the eye is constantly being stretched and moved with laughing, blinking, squinting and straining and add to that, some rubbing, a poor diet and a few sleepless nights over a lifetime, and its no wonder that the eye area soon develops dark circles, puffiness, expression and fine lines, crows feet and wrinkles!

Oh! and that's not all, there are also fewer sebaceous glands around the eye, therefore making them more prone to dryness and this only accelerates the formation of lines and wrinkles.

It maybe tempting to take your face cream and just use it, around the eyes...

But, DON'T.. as this will only lead to puffiness and possible allergies. Face creams have a different molecular structure to those of eye creams and most eye products are opthalmologically tested and are tested as "safe" to use around the eyes.

The eye area is THE number one concern, of most women, when you consult with them...in fact, skin care "savvy" males, also reveal the same concern. Hence we have a huge assortment of products to meet this demand.You can purchase products, that will help to reduce the puffiness and dark circles, soften the fine lines, plump and smooth the wrinkles, soothe, refresh, lift, firm and illuminate the eye area, all in the pursuit of keeping those eyes as youthful as possible.

So, eye products are "big" beauty business worldwide!

Do I believe that they really work? Yes I do and I am very thankful today, that I have used eye treatments daily, since being my twenties.

I always advise men & women to start using in their 20's, a light eye product daily and eye gels are a great product to start with , as they generally help to revive those tired eyes, lessen the dark circles and treat the onset of any fine lines.

As you progress through the decades, 30's, 40's, 50's etc. you will need to step up the intensity and frequency of treatments used. Seeking advice on more specialised anti-ageing creams,ampules and serums is highly advised. Everyone's needs and expectations from an eye treatment are different, so either consult with your beauty/salon therapist or visit the cosmetic consultants in store.

Here are some "eye product" guidelines:

• Only use specifically formulated eye products around the eye area and this includes cleansers.
• Remove creams from jars with a spatula and not your finger.
• Apply the product around the orbital bone area, gently patting with ring finger.
• Do not think that applying more,means it works better,so don't overload.
• Make it part of your daily beauty regime, as the use of eye products is "on going".
• You may need to change your eye products seasonally and most definitely as you mature.
• All good houses will have samples for you to "try before you buy", so be sure to ask.
• If you experience any uncomfortable sensation on the skin after use, then cease using immediately.
• Always buy the best products that your budget will allow, don't economise where the eyes are concerned and this includes eye shadows, mascara's etc.
• Eye products are unisex.

They say that 

 "The eyes are the windows to the soul"

 but please, 

let's not have those windows, framed with

 ageing deep lines and wrinkles...

To view other Back2Basics posts click here

DON'T ACCUMULATE EXFOLIATE! {BACK2BASICS}

As a trained Beauty Therapist, if I only had one piece of advice to offer you, it would be "Don't Accumulate Exfoliate". 

Exfoliation to me is a vital step in all beauty routines.....regardless of age or skin type.

To exfoliate the skin simply means to remove a layer of dulling, drying dead cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin. It is really simply to do at home and is absolutely painless...for all those that are thinking it sounds medical we are not talking about chemical peels here!

We should all exfoliate from top to toe, but in this blog I am just going to deal with the face and neck and will cover the rest of the body in later posts!

Exfoliators, or scrubs as they are sometimes called, are readily available from all beauty houses and again it is often a case of trail and error until you hit on one that really suits you and your skin type. My favourite product has been on the market for 20 years or more but it still remains a top seller and my absolute "Must Have". More of this in a future blog...

Most of the exfoliating action in these products comes from the grains or beads that will wary in size according to the degree of exfoliation you require. The friction created by the rubbing will mechanically remove those dead cells.I would always recommend that you buy a product that contains natural exfoliating ingredients, such as seeds,ground nut shells or salts!

As a rule of thumb I always recommend that every skin type use a scrub once a week...many of the houses will tell you daily or twice a week, but to be honest, most of us don't have the time, so once is ideal....you can do twice a week if your skin is very dry. Some brands recommend daily scrubbing, which I am most definitely not a promoter of, as this just strips your skin of its own natural "Hydro Lipidic" film. (the natural moisturising,protecting barrier of oils and water).

There are two "trains" of thought regarding exfoliation and oily skins, as some recommend daily or 2-3 times a week, whilst others recommend just once every 7-10 days. I believe daily is too stimulating for an already over stimulated oily skin, so every 7-10 days is always my recommendation..Acne skins should not exfoliate, as this will cause cross infection from the rubbing  over the  pustules etc.and will aggravate an already inflamed condition. Sensitive skins were once advised not to use scrubs but today products are available for even the most sensitive skins so there is no need for you to miss out.

You should always follow the manufacturers instructions but basically they all work along the 5 minute maximum routine below:

1. Cleanse the skin.
2. Apply the exfoliator or scrub to a dry or slightly damp skin.
3. Make circular movements with your 3 middle fingers on each hand,slowly and gently work upwards from the neck and onto the face massaging the product.
4. Do exfoliate gently over the lips but not round the eye area.
5. Take care not to drag or pull the skin too much.
6. Exfoliate for about 3-5 minutes depending on how much of an exfoliation you require.
7. Rinse the product off,towel dry and Tone.
8. You can either moisturise after or ideally apply an appropriate face mask.
9. Never exfoliate without using some form of moisturising cream afterwards.
10. Lastly always use a facial scrub on the face and leave the body scrub for the body never use a body exfoliator on the face!!!

Of all the skincare products out there, an exfoliator is the most instantly gratifying purchase that you can make...... 
"Why" you may ask?

• Your skin will appear instantly brighter, as the build up of those dead cells can cause the skin to look dull and lifeless.
• Your skin will not only feel but look softer and smoother as the build up gives your skin an uneven, rough appearance and feel.
• Using an exfoliator or scrub weekly stimulates the new cells below the surface of the skin to replace those that have been removed  (Cellular Regeneration) This is important in the ageing of the skin.
• The weekly use will also enable all of your other products whether they be moisturisers,night creams or serums to be absorbed and work so much more efficiently.
• Most importantly of all your skin will appear more "Youthful" and isn't that what we are all in pursuit of?

So I would like you to reassess your own beauty routine and if you are not using an exfoliator then seriously invest in one! In my opinion this is the key product to looking "younger longer",so

"Don't Accumulate Exfoliate" 

Now!!!

FACE MOISTURISERS {BACK2BASICS}

This is an endless topic which has been written about so much....

Yet people still ask the question 

"is it important to moisturise your face?" and obviously the answer is a BIG YES! 

Unless that is you want to have skin like "elephant hide" or look like a 40 year old when you're only 30! 

I fail to understand why there are some people out there, still not using a moisturiser and we can all most probably bring that "some" one to mind right now!

I just want to pass on to you my 12 "Key" points 

to remember re moisturisers & moisturising.

1. Your skin loses its natural oils daily and they need to be replaced in order to keep your skin from drying out and to keep it soft and supple.
2. Moisturising creams,lotion or fluides are used daily in the morning after cleansing and toning the skin, to form a protective barrier that helps to "lock" natural moisture in.
3. Choose the correct type of moisturiser for your particular skin type.There are moisturisers for every skin type and condition out there, even for the most sensitive skins.There are plenty of skincare consultants in the stores and pharmacies to help and guide you,so don't be afraid to ask and do not be pressurised into buying, if you do not feel happy with their recomendations!
4. Moisturisers can provide either basic protection or can be more specialised in terms of: treating (signs of ageing), protecting (against sun damage),enhancing (brightening),softening (hydrating),smoothing and firming the skin.
5. It is important to find a daily moisturiser that you feel is working for you and your skin and ultimately is improving the skins overall feel and appearance.Expect to try several before you find your "ideal" daily moisturiser.
6. The more expensive the moisturiser is, generally, ensures that more research and development has been done to back up their efficiency claims and that better quality ingredients have been used.Hopefully better and quicker results should be seen...
7. After saying this do not be too "over" ambitious in your expectations from any moisturiser!
8. Do not apply across the eye area, but do apply upwards and outwards to the face and neck...remember the neck is an extension of your face and requires daily care also.
9. Do not apply too much cream or lotion under the misconception that "more will be better" as it's not the case. If you feel that your skin is needing more, then the chances are, you need to change to a richer, heavier daily moisturiser.
10. Ensure that you re look at your needs from a moisturiser regularly, as your skin type will change, not only with age, but with the seasons also. The moisturisation levels of the skin can also change rapidly with illness and the use or change of medication.
11. Applying a moisturiser must be lifelong daily process like brushing your teeth, so don't expect a quick fix from using just one jar!
12. As the old saying goes "Prevention is better than cure" and this is so true....so if you have teenagers then start them on a basic beauty routine now!

Previous Back2Basics posts you may like to read:

Click here to read Cleansing 

Click here to read Toning

SQUEAKY CLEAN - CLEANSING {BACK2BASICS}

Facial Cleansing is a part of our daily hygiene routine whether its using a bar of supermarket soap in the shower or sitting at your dressing table and using the most expensive cleansing milk..it has to be done twice a day so as to remove the daily dirt,grime and the pollutants from the surface of the skin.

I'm definitely not an advocate of using just "any old soap on your skin" unless you want to end up with "any old skin"...so if your budget only allows for an inexpensive soap then try and choose a facial soap rather than a general all purpose bath soap.

There are so many different types of cleansers out there to choose from, so how do you know which one is right for you?

Firstly you need to establish what skin type you have and if you don't already know then pop along to cosmetic counter in a department store or ask the beauty consultant in a pharmacy. A good consultant will not only ask you lots of questions about your present beauty regime but she will also, unbeknown to you visually analysing your skin as you talk. 

Only then, can she advise on the appropriate cleanser, that will not only be the most suitable for your skin type but one that will also suit your lifestyle.Remember that your skin type or condition could alter with the change of seasons,medication and age! This will require you to have regular skin assessments.

The array of facial cleansing products out there is vast but generally they are grouped into the categories below:

• Facial Cleansing Soaps: are ideal if you love that fresh feeling of soap and water on your skin. Specific Facial soaps should have the same ph as skin 5.5, so as not to disturb the acid mantle of the skin. Dry or very dry skins will require a Moisturising Cleansing soap.

• Cleansing Foams or Facial Washes: are popular as they are quick, clean and easy to use.They are generally recommended for combination to oily skins but many houses now have specialised washes for dry to very dry skins.

• Cleansing Milks or Cleansing Creams: are more suited to dry,very dry or dehydrated skins.They can be water soluble and can be rinsed off the skin or can be removed with dampened cotton wool or a soft facial tissue.  

If you wear make-up then you will need to possibly do a double cleanse in order to remove all the make-up which the first cleanse will do and then the second cleansing will ensure that all the make-up is removed and the skin is squeaky clean. This double cleansing also allows you to use a combination of the above types of cleansing products.

Once you skin is clean we can then proceed on to the next step..........

to be continued.