How do we know our skin type?

We don’t have one static skin type, this is the BIGGEST marketing myth in our industry.  We should absolutely not be labeling skin by types.  We can present as both dehydrated and oily at the same time, we can present as inflamed, lipid dry and barrier impaired in one month and something else the next. Our skin issues are constantly evolving and our skin can change multiple times in one day, it just isn’t consistent to put a permanent label on it.  Our skin responds to its environment, lifestyle choices, genetics, hormones, microbiome, products used, stress levels etc.

Should kids be using skincare? 

NO NO NO. Tweens and teens should not be worrying about skin at 12, 13, 14 or even 15 to the extent in which they currently are! It's not complicated and bombarding the skin with new products every month, unnecessary serums and abrasive actives will only cause barrier impairment.

If tween or teen skin starts to change due to hormonal fluctuations, they should always seek advice from their GP, Pharmacist and ideally work from within as a first cause of action with a qualified Naturopath and/or Nutritionist. 

A balanced diet, avoiding high GI food groups, excellent sleep quality, practicing good hygiene (if they are playing lots of sports and sweating) and removing makeup/SPF effectively is really all they need to be aware of. A three-step routine, regardless of their skin type or concern should be no more than to cleanse, moisturise and apply SPF. That is it!  Buying retinols or Drunk Elephant products, serums jam packed with AHAs are just too strong for young skin and potentially can cause unwanted and avoidable inflammatory conditions.

What is skin overload?

Too many products, not being consistent, chopping and changing, using products that are too strong and unnecessary is skin overload. Taking advice from uneducated influencers on Tik Tok, using what our friends use on their skin, buying blindly online, seeking support and education from anyone that is not significantly trained in dermal science and skin health can lead to barrier impairment, caused by skin overload.

When we use products that are not suitable for our skin type, we disrupt the barrier and prevent it from carrying out its job effectively.  Which is to protect it from external threats such as infectious agents, pathogens, pollution, environmental aggressors, chemicals, systemic toxicity and allergens.  Our skin barrier is our body’s first line of defense and essential for keeping the skin resilient.

An impaired skin barrier occurs when the skin becomes ‘holey’ and water leaks from the skin causing transepidermal water loss. The skin is then attacked by the environment or aggressors that enter through the skin, which disrupts balance. Hence, the skin becomes more sensitive and inflamed.  In some cases, this can cause inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea, acne, peri-oral or cosmetica dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis.

WHAT ORDER SHOULD I APPLY MY SKINCARE IN?

In the morning, our products are applied to protect our skin from the environment in which we live, whether inside or outside.

AM:
Cleanse
Apply serum (to protect skin from environmental factors)
Eye cream/serum
Moisturiser, followed by SPF 50

In the evening, our products are applied to repair our skin from the day’s effects, encourage cell turnover, nourish, nurture, regenerate.

PM:
Double Cleanse
Lotion P50*
Serum/s
Moisturiser
Finishing serum
*A Manual/Enzyme Exfoliant and Masque 1-2 times a week after cleansing can be used if not working with Lotion P50

I am so time poor, what’s the very LEAST I should be doing to look after my skin?

SPF first and foremost.  That is your non-negotiable. Cleanse, Lotion P50 and Hydrate!

How often do you use a cleanser?

Depending on skin type and skin condition 1-2 times a day

What is a clinical facial?

To target a specific skin concern or concerns that require a more strategic, combined modality approach.  Pain points that will not respond to just product only.

What is an essential facial?

To reset the skin at the end or the start of a season, brighten and refresh the epidermis. The skin might feel dehydrated, tired or look dull.  This facial will revive the skin and with the correct homecare can keep it strong, healthy and resilient for the months ahead.

For someone new to skin health, facials or my hands!  This treatment will reset the skin, regenerate to brighten and refresh to keep it strong, healthy and resilient for the months ahead.

What is a luxury facial?

A truly transformative experience. The ultimate in luxury skin health and the very best my experience, products and modalities can provide.

What if i only want to use organic skincare?

Organic means without the use of toxic chemicals, antibiotics and synthetic growth factors. 

I only work with brands that are small batch made, mindful of their footprint on sustainability, use no parabens, preservatives or silicones, do not test on animals and are natural.

Biologique Recherche use ingredients that ARE mostly organic,  predominantly vegan and do not work with any animal extracts, are preservative free, paraben free, raw and cold pressed, cruelty free.

Maryse Skincare is cruelty free also, organically sourced ingredients from mindful suppliers. All NZ sourced ingredients which allow traceability.

Josh Rosebrook products are ALL certified organic and wildcrafted! Cruelty free.

ZO Skin Health is clinical dermatology and though not certified organic, there are little to no parabens in their products, cruelty free and vegan!

All my brands are 100% transparent about what they use in every product and why.

(Cetaphil is a brand regularly quoted and recommended by Dermatologists as ‘clean and natural’ but is far from it!)