It seems it's no longer enough to cleanse, tone and moisturise. Melanie Morris on supplementary skin treatments
Once upon a time, a good skincare regime was about cleansing, toning, moisturising and good genes. Now there are additional products to assist in our attempts to delay time and defy gravity.
PORE ME
Clinique does a range of pore-minimising products that diminish the appearance of oversized or prominent pores, while also mattifying the skin. There is Refining Lotion (€25), a shine-control T-Zone product (€17.50) and Instant Perfector (a portable tube that can be applied under or over foundation for instant touch-ups, €20.50). In addition, Clinique is launching a pore-minimising foundation next month (€26).
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
Teenage skins often need help where spots are concerned. Kiehl's Blue Herbal range of cleansers and moisturisers contains salicylic acid to control the body's production of excessive oils. Other ingredients tackle surface blemishes, to clear the skin and reduce redness. From Nue Blue Eriu. Cetaphil cleansers and moisturisers are also recommended by dermatologists for acne, and are widely available.
PROBLEM SOLVERS
The Prescriptives Custom Concentrates range includes an excellent Skin Tone Correcting Serum (€60) to treat and prevent dark spots and skin discoloration. Clinique's CX range (exclusive to Brown Thomas, Dublin) includes a Redness Relief Cream (€95) and Soothing Moisturiser (€90), both perfect for calming the skin after non-surgical facial procedures such as peels, microdermabrasion and laser therapy.
GLOW FOR IT
Armani's range of liquid Fluid Sheers (€33.50) add sheen to create glowing skin, and come in variety of shades. The limited edition Pearl Veil was an instant hit this spring, as was BeneFit's Hollywood Glo (€26) and Origin's Halo Effect (€17). Blend a blob of these high-beam products with your foundation for an all-over effect, or stroke lightly on to cheeks, brows and collarbones for subtle, but flattering highlights.
THE BLANK CANVAS
Lancôme has launched a four-step home peel system. It is speedy, simple to use and comes with idiot-proof instructions. You cleanse, apply the peel product, remove it, calm the skin with a soothing cloth and finish off with an application of comforting cream. It takes 15 minutes from start to finish. Each kit contains enough product for four twice-weekly applications. The Resurface Peel Kit is available from Lâncome counters, €130.