Ever wished you could ask a beauty editor for tips as you shop? Or pick the brains of someone whose job it is to sample and swatch every beauty product under the sun?? This is the next best thing.
Last week, our Instagram followers asked their most burning skincare questions. Here, I’ve picked a selection and done my very best to answer…
How can I get rid of puffiness under my eyes? – @_f.h.han
I’ve tried everything, and Yes To Cucumbers Depuffing Under Eye Masks are pure magic. They’re the modern day equivalent to pressing cucumber slices onto your eyelids, but way more effective. Also, are you using an eye cream at night? Sometimes they can cause puffiness, so try an eye serum instead.
How can I get rid of dark circles? – @___fhh
Although dark circles can be triggered by lack of sleep and dehydration, they are, for the most part, hereditary (blame your parents!), so can’t always be banished completely. There are some powerful eye creams out there that will help (I love Antipodes Manuka Honey Skin Brightening Eye Cream), but your best bet is to find a really good concealer. Fortunately, there is COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream to brighten dark circles with niacinamide.
I’m a mum of two and by the end of the day it’s almost impossible to follow an extensive skincare routine. What products would you recommend for a quick and effective routine? – @zunairasulman
Fear not! There is such a thing as a three-step skincare routine – a cleanser, serum, and moisturiser are the bare basics, but if you pick the right products, and if they’re high-quality and packed with the right ingredients, they’ll be just as effective as a 10-step routine.
Products that you can use both day and night will make things even easier as well – check out Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré.
I have a lot of dry, flaky skin around my nose. How do I get rid of it? – @ellieredfordx
Any kind of exfoliating scrub will fix dry skin temporarily, but for a long-term solution, use a chemical exfoliant instead. They’re usually sold as toners and contain high quantities of AHAs and BHAs like lactic and glycolic acids.
One of my favourites is Mario Badescu Glycolic Toner – soak a cotton pad in it and press it onto affected areas every night – you’ll soon see (and feel!) the benefits.
What’s the best facial mask I can use? – @ellaaarx
Normally I’d say it completely depends on your skin type and concerns, but I recently discovered a mask that works amazingly for pretty much everyone, and that’s quite rare in the skincare world! Sand & Sky’s Brilliant Skin Purifying Pink Clay Mask, so it’s a proper multitasker. Amongst the many benefits, I’ve found it’s really good for giving my skin a quick but deep cleanse, fading pigmentation (I have acne scars), and making my skin look brighter and feel softer.
How do I get rid of blackheads around my nose? I’ve tried so many things and nothing is working – help! – @saraleslie51
I acquired my love of pore strips as a teenager, and while I’ve tried many varieties, I completely swear by Revolution Skincare Pore Cleansing Charcoal Nose Strips – I haven’t used another brand for years. I don’t use them as much as I used to because I’ve realised that the key to preventing blackheads is double-cleansing, chemical exfoliation (see above), and daily face masks, but they’re incredibly powerful – even on annoyingly stubborn blackheads.
My skin has been super dry recently on my face and neck (even my eyelids!) due to the winter weather. What are your tips for keeping it supple and hydrated? – @ashleighvlogs
Mario Badescu is one of my favourite skincare brands, and two of the products I always end up buying in the winter are the Facial Spray and Hyaluronic Dew Cream. They’re both packed with tried and tested hydrating ingredients that work to strengthen skin’s moisture barrier – this prevents moisture loss and also attracts more water into the skin. Between them my skin remains as soft, bright, and hydrated as it is the rest of the year.
What does toner actually do for the skin, and how do I know which one is best for me? – @iambethh
Toners are a weird one because back in the day, they didn’t do a lot at all. In fact, most were full of alcohol, which meant they were incredibly drying. Nowadays however, skincare formulation has taken a U-turn and brands are well aware that we only want to use products that we know are going to do good to our skin. This means that each individual toner offers something different – you can get hydrating toners for dry skin, exfoliating toners for congested skin, and anti-redness toners for sensitive complexions.
TLDR; If you like to keep things minimal, toners are not a vital step, but if you have a pressing skincare issue that needs solving, they’ll help you on your way.
What is the best thing to do when you have a blind pimple? – @alisiarazekk
My recommendation for any kind of blemish remains the same – Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion. It’s especially effective on blind pimples – the type you can feel before you see them – because it dries them out before they have time to surface.
I don’t wear makeup to work so end up looking ill haha – what do you recommend to make your skin glow? – @gemmavarleyx
I’ve had this text from friends who don’t wear makeup, and texted them right back with “Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum”. It’s the kind of serum that contains only the good stuff, so you see the results right away. Most notably, it uses ascorbic acid, an ingredient to brighten the skin – I typically notice it in about 2-3 days. I love using this when I’m on holiday and don’t want to wear makeup.
What’s the best way to cure acne when you have dry skin? There are so many tips for oily skin but what about those with dry skin! – @emzo.belzo
I feel you! It’s frustrating that most advice about acne is targeted at oily skin when the majority of acne sufferers actually have dry skin, but don’t realise it! Try using The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution to help buff away the dry skin that clogs your pores and triggers acne.
