As a lot of my patients who visit me for skin treatments often ask ‘what do you use on your skin?’, I thought I’d do a quick #skincareblog about my favourite products of 2018!
Although there are thousands of skin care products available, some cheap and some expensive, I believe the most important thing is finding what suits YOUR SKIN. Whether it be a professional, medical grade skincare product or a product available on the high-street or online, I can recommend simple changes to your skin care regimen that suit your budget, and can give fantastic results. Here are MY personal favourites of 2018, in no particular order…
Firstly, let’s talk cleansers! You can’t progress with your skincare regime until your skin is properly cleansed. A cleanser should be the first step in your skincare regimen, and should be used twice daily – AM and PM. For years I have used Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel since it was recommended to me in 2006 by my soon-to-be sister in law (who also has amazing skin after years of using Dermalogica products). Over the years I have tried other cleansers but I feel this suits my skin the most. It is a soap-free, foaming gel that removes make-up and impurities, without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture balance. This self-proclaimed iconic cleanser, gently rinses away toxins and debris to leave my skin feeling smooth and clean. However, if I am having a break-out, I reach for something a little stronger…
For breakouts and blemish-prone skin I like Medik8 Clarifying Foam (available to buy from DermaLuxe Aesthetics). This antibacterial foaming face washunclogs pores and lightly exfoliates without causing dryness or irritation. It contains mandelic acid, salicylic acid and natural tea tree oil to renew and detoxify the complexion, while soothing niacinamide calms the appearance of problematic skin. This combination of ingredients ensures the skin’s natural protective oils are left balanced, and blemish-causing bacteria are diminished.
After cleansing, I apply an eye cream, then a moisturiser. As I suffer with puffy eyes, I have tried many eye creams on the market. The best one I have found to date is ‘R[II] Eyes RHA Advanced Eye Contour’, by Teoxane. Teoxane also produce dermal fillers that I use in my Sheffield Clinic, which is how I came across their skincare range. Their skincare range is not available to buy on the high street but you can purchase it directly from DermaLuxe Aesthetics. The Teoxane R[II] Eyes contains active ingredients recognised for providing an expert anti-puffiness and anti-dark circles solution, developed specifically for the sensitive eye area. R[II] eyes diminishes the signs of ageing while smoothing and brightening the eye area. I use this AM and PM.
If my skin is particularly dry, or needs a moisture boost, I use RegenCeutic by Dermaceutic Laboratoire (available from DermaLuxe Aesthetics). This is a medical grade skincare product containing active ingredients such as peptides to stimulate collagen and improve firmness, hyaluronic acid to moisturise the skin from within, and Vitamins C and E to limit the signs of photo-ageing and provide an anti-inflammatory action. If I don’t need extra moisture, my next step is Heliocare…
Now let’s talk about SPF – yes Sun Protection Factor, all year round, not just in summer! All my patients know how much I rave about the Heliocare 360°range! I love it and wear it religiously! Recommended by Dermatologists worldwide, the multi-award winning range provides daily protection against UVA (which ages the skin) and UVB (which burns the skin), plus visible light and infrared-A.Wearing daily sun protection is essential in maintaining skin health and helps to prevent premature skin ageing. Heliocare 360° is like a shield, protecting the skin at its surface, and defending the skin from within with clinically proven anti-oxidants and DNA repairing enzymes. My favourites in the Heliocare 360° range are Fluid Cream, Oil-free Gel, and the new Mineral Tolerance Fluid.
Whether you have dry, oily, spot prone or sensitive skin, there’s a Heliocare 360° product to suit everyone. DermaLuxe Aesthetics is an official stockist of the entire Heliocare range and I am happy to recommend products for you depending on your skin type. When I am working in my NHS job as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, I tend to use the Heliocare 360°Fluid Cream in the morning, as I find it holds my powder foundation much better – and with working 12 hour shifts I need something that helps to keep my makeup in place! If I am wearing a liquid foundation in the day, I prefer the Heliocare 360°Mineral Tolerance Fluid and this leaves the skin feeling silky, almost like a primer, so it is perfect for use under foundation. Mineral Tolerance Fluid also the most suitable for sensitive skin.
I use the Heliocare 360°Oil-free Gel when I am on holiday as this is when my skin is most oily. But for people with spot-prone skin, acne, or oily skin, I would recommend the Oil-free Gel for daily use as it has a matt finish. All of the Heliocare 360°products are ‘non- comedogenic’ which means they will not block your pores. Get in touch if you want to find out which would suit your skin type, or to try samples of the Heliocare 360° range.
In the evening after my PM cleanse, to make sure I have completely removed my makeup, I use Teoxane RHA Micellar Solution (available to purchase from DermaLuxe Aesthetics). This is also what I use for part of the double cleanse prior to some of my Chemical Peels and Dermaplaning facials in my Sheffield skincare clinic. I like this formulation as it contains Hyaluronic Acid, which is important for maintaining a firm and supple complexion.
My dog obviously likes these products too, out-take featuring Bobby the nosey Chocolate Lab...
Another non-comedogenic product that I use in the evenings is The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane (available online). This is one of the lowest priced products I use at just £5.50! Squalane is a natural hydrocarbon that is present in the skin. It helps to prevent loss of hydration and to improve suppleness.I use this as my night time moisturiser and love how it makes my skin feel the following day. It’s great for split ends too! Again in the evening only, intermittently I use The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane. This 2% concentration of an advanced retinoid complex has been shown to offer better results against multiple signs of ageing than traditional retinol without any of the irritation common with retinol. I find my skin is very sensitive to traditional retinol, but as it is AMAZING for anti-ageing, improving cell turnover and reducing fine lines, this seems to be the best way I can include it in my skincare regimen. Just as a side note; if you are using any form of retinol you should gradually build up your skins tolerance to it (use it only a couple of time per week to start with), use it at night and always use a SPF the following day as retinol makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Every couple of weeks (or when I get chance!) I exfoliate my skin with CliniCare Enzymatic Peeling Gel. This is a ‘professional use only’ peeling product so it’s not available to buy for home use, but I offer this with many of my professional skin treatments such as skin peels, chemical peels and Dermaplaning at my Sheffield skincare clinic. This professional enzyme is great for instantlyremoving dead skin cells, impurities and clearing clogged pores. It exfoliates and softens even the most sensitive skin withimmediate effect and zero down time. This is a great skin brightening facial that can be booked as a stand-alone treatment for glowing skin with DermaLuxe Aesthetics.
Finally, although this is not a skincare product, I just have to give a special mention for Revitalash. Revitalash is an eyelash growth serum that conditions your lashes to make them grow longer and thicker. I have been using it every day for just over a year and I can’t believe the difference in the length and thickness of my eyelashes! Even my friends have commented on them (and then bought their own Revitalash!).
I’d love to hear what your favorite products of 2018 are – get in touch via Instagram @dermaluxe_aesthetics or find me on Facebook by searching for DermaLuxe Aesthetics!
As always, if you want a personalised skincare plan, or recommendations for skin treatments in Sheffield to improve your skin, just book in for a free consultation with Nurse Rachel. Whether your concerned about fine lines, deep wrinkles, acne, spot-prone skin, dry skin, oily skin, scarring or dull skin, we have a treatment for you at DermaLuxe Aesthetics Sheffield.
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