Product Prescription – Skin

Problem: Oily skin

Something I was very shocked to learn was, oil oil doesn’t equal more oil. In fact it actually means less oil production as using an oil just balances everything out. Some of my favourite oils include Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, which is a light hydrating oil that always leaves my skin looks bright and radiant. More of a treatment oil is Nude Progenius Treatment Oil which contains Omega 3.6 & 9 found in fish like salmon and is fantastic at providing a nourishing boost.

There’s only one product I’ve tried that gets my dry patches in order, meet backstage favourite and french pharmacy find Homeoplasmine. A quick dollup of this magic balm injects moisture into little patches of flaky skin and helps rid of any excess hanging skin. A little difficult to get hold of in the UK but I’ve seen a few pharmacy’s stock it – Marble Arch Bliss Chemist being one.

Problem: Puffy eyes

Late night and one too many glasses of wine means puffy peepers. I’ve never found an eyecream to be particularly effective but these Skyn Iceland Hydrocool Firming Eye Gels are fantastic as they can be popped on (without leaking down your face) for ten minutes to depuff and brighten. An instantly quick fix!

Problem: Breakouts & Blackheads

I’ve never found spot solution gels to do anything bar make my skin look angry and inflamed. After Caroline’s talk at Liberty I decided to use more acids to help balance the skin and to increase the thickness of the dermis. What a difference this has made! Unclogging unslightly lumps, bringing a head to the surface or just ridding them completely, my favourite aid has been Biologique Reserche P50, which I also like to pair with Darphin Purifying Balm. A thick balm that, when used overnight, decreases redness and practically diminishes blemishes.

Problem: Dullness

Masks are the best non-makeup solution to dull skin. Anything containing Alpha Hydroxy Acids work brilliantly at revealing a new brighter layer of skin as they promote deep exfoliation. My favourites include gentle Ren Gycolcolactic Radiance Renewal Mask or slightly more powerful Oskia Renaissance Mask. A cream solution would be Elemis latest release, Pro Illuminating Flash Balm, brightening the skin without leaving a shimmering finish that’s overly dewy.

Problem: Dark spots & acne scars

I’ve been told if your scar is still pink, you can do something about it, if it’s more browny you can’t. In three weeks this Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution worked an absolute treat (see before & after pictures here) on my scar, an absolute miracle worker at reducing rawness and redness.

Problem: Eczema

I suffer from eczema on my eyelids and something that got rid of them in two nights flat was this African Botanics Intense Skin Repair Body Balm. A rich, thick balm turned oil when on contact with skin, that hydrates, soothes and calms and gives excema the help it needs to disappear. Magic!