Skincare tips and traps

Taking care of our skin means committing to a set of regular skincare practices. I like to call these habits ‘rituals’ – a word that evokes a sense of sacredness and ceremony, but not the negative connotation of being laborious or a ‘chore’. Rituals are all about nurturing our skin and self; a chance to reconnect with ourselves in the midst of our busy lives. Unfortunately, not all skincare habits make for good or safe rituals. Make sure you DON’T fall into the following skincare traps:

Skincare inconsistency or ‘binging’

A short-lived binge on a load of products is not what your skin needs and you will never get the best out of your skincare products – even if they cost a small fortune – when you use them sporadically. If following a strict skincare ritual 365 days a year is not your forte, firstly focus on establishing a consistent routine of cleansing and moisturising twice a day, every day. Once you have integrated these crucial steps into your lifestyle, you can then add a daily serum or weekly exfoliation and mask.

My tip: Cleanse and moisturise as soon as you get home at night, before fatigue sets in. This way you won’t be tempted to go to bed without having attended to your face.

Stripping your skin

Your skin needs TLC, so it can successfully shield you from outside aggressors, such as bacteria, UV radiation and pollutants, as well as protect against excessive fluid loss. Think of your skin as a brick wall formed by your epidermal cells (the ‘bricks’) and epidermal oils (the ‘mortar’) for your skin’s safety. Using harsh products, exfoliating too often or using facial devices such as loofahs and brushes (my pet hates, ask my clients!) are all skinstripping actions.

My tip: If your skin constantly looks irritated, feels tight or ‘burning’, you have most likely stripped it. To allow your skin to repair, drop your skin-stripping habits for good and restrict your routine to gentle cleansing and moisturising (with low-perfumed products designed for sensitive skin).

Not protecting against UV radiation

Considering that prolonged and unprotected exposure to UV radiation is responsible for the worst visible signs of ageing – eventually making you look much older than your actual age – as well as the risk of skin cancer, it’s a no-brainer that sun protection takes priority in your skincare regime. I always tell my clients that there’s no point spending money on good skincare if they don’t also protect their skin against sun exposure. Wherever you are in the world: ‘Slip Slop Slap Seek and Slide’. This Australian slogan from the Cancer Council’s SunSmart campaign (www.sunsmart.com.au/uv-sun-protection/uv) stands for: ‘Slip on protective clothing, Slop on SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade and Slide on some sunnies.

My tip: Think of your sunscreen as your best preventative skincare weapon against accelerated ageing.

Using the same products for years

We all have our beauty favourites. When you find a skincare product that you love, it is very tempting to keep on using it forever! Resist this temptation knowing that your skin, being in a constant state of change, needs regular tweaks and introductions to new skincare formulations. By that, I don’t mean changing all products at once, but one or two at a time. For instance, your skin might be in need of a milder cleanser in winter months (when your skin is more likely to get dehydrated and drier). It would also certainly benefit from the daily application of an antioxidant-rich facial serum past the age of 30. And you will definitely need a richer and more protective moisturiser as you get older.

My tip: Do you think that your skin looks the best it possibly can? Why don’t you ask a skincare specialist for advice on what specific ingredients your skin might benefit from at this particular time?

You won’t require hypnotherapy or patches to combat these skincare naughties: you only need to commit to treating your skin as you would treat your loved ones. Love, kindness, constant listening and attention ... THIS is what your skin needs. Make a habit of it!

For more information on Christine Clais, go to thefrenchfacialist.com