Put your best foot forward with the latest beauty buys to meet all your skincare needs.
Anyone who has been near a shop recently will know just how daunting it can be to stand in the beauty aisle with an empty shopping basket, while you hunt for the perfect product to solve your beauty dilemma. Never fear – that’s where we come in. Our beauty buffs have sorted through the latest buys to find the number-one solutions for you.
My deodorant doesn’t work
You need to opt for an antiperspirant if this is the case. Deodorants are simply a fragrance to disguise perspiration odour, whereas antiperspirants actually temporarily block sweat glands. According to the experts, the best time to apply antiperspirant is at night. Your sweat glands are less active, so more of the sweat-stopping ingredients are drawn into the skin. The good news is that the odour-fighting effects last even if you bath or shower in the mornings. If you love the idea of fragrance layering, look out for Dove’s Go Fresh Range. We love the Fresh Touch Cucumber and Green Tea variant. Choose from the aerosol, R20; the roll-on, R17; or the stick, R34.
I have the hugest pimple ever. Help!
Target the occasional breakout with Essence Pure Skin Anti-Spot Patches, R30 (available from Clicks). These clear circular patches contain tea tree extract and salicylic acid that help fight pimple-producing bacteria and reduce inflammation. Apply to the blemish at night and leave on until morning.
My face feels really dry
Instead of using your regular detergent-based cleanser, try an oil cleanser like Justine Epigran, R160. The oil removes make-up and impurities without stripping the skin. Massage onto your face and either tissue off or rinse with water. You could also try a cleanser targeted to sensitive skin needs like BioNike Defence Acqua20 Cleansing Water Mousse, R135 (available from Dis-Chem). Ingredients help preserve the skin’s natural protective lipid content and neutralise the drying action of hard water, providing clean relief for sensitive skins.
My skin always looks so dull
Do you live in a city? Pollution particles can adhere to the skin, making it look lacklustre. Researchers have found that stress also contributes to making the complexion look dull, tired and wrinkled. If you lead the typical modern life (and that’s the majority of us) stock up on radiance-boosting products. An exfoliator like DermaFix DermaPolish Enzymatic Exfoliator, R350 (to find a stockist call 0861 28 23 23); or Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Gentle Line Smoothing Exfoliator, R255, gently remove dead skin cells and stimulate circulation, helping to restore your glow. Going through a stressful season? Then try a course of Lancôme Hydra Zen, a range aimed at the needs of dull and stressed skin.
It’s not my time to shine
If you’d rather not be the centre of attention because of your oily, shiny complexion, it’s time to pull out all the stops to cut the gleam. Look specifically for products that tone down shine with mattifying ingredients, like Ponds Perfect Matte Oil Control Lotion, R64, or Phytomer Oligopur Shine Control Moisturising Fluid, R458. These reduce light reflection off the surface of the skin, helping you feel confident that you’re being noticed for all the right reasons. Another great buy is Avon Magix Face Perfector, R160, which you apply before putting on your foundation to help keep your complexion matte and smooth for up to 10 hours. Ideally, when using a product like this, get into the habit of not touching your face a lot during the day or else you’ll rub off the benefits.
Everything’s heading south
The good news is that you don’t need the surgeon’s number on speed dial just yet. RoC Complete Lift is a range that targets elastin fibres in the skin (these are what give skin that ‘spring-back’ property), helping to create lift and restore lost firmness. Great products to try include the Lifting Flash Serum, R395, and the Lifting Eye Roll-On, R250, which also targets undereye puffiness. When addressing sagging, don’t forget that your neck and décolleté are also on display, which is why you should continue your skincare regimen all the way down to the top of your breasts. Look out for a product such as L’Oreal Dermo-Expertise Revitalift Face Contours & Neck, R190, which targets sagging concerns in the whole area. And don’t forget the sunscreen – UV rays are the biggest cause of skin sagging.
I’m tired of always looking tired
Stress, long hours, pollution, even not updating your prescription glasses can leave your eyes red and irritated. Add dark circles to the mix and you end up permanently looking like you’ve just done a direct long-haul flight from Patagonia. It’s important to care for your eyes and the skin around it, so always ensure you carefully (and gently) remove all traces of eye make-up before going to bed at night, as residue mascara and eye products can cause irritation. Also take the time to pamper your eyes with a product like Eye Slices Biotonix In Vogue Eyes, R95 (available from independent pharmacies or www.eyeslices.com), which are formulated to provide relief to sensitive, irritated peepers. Reduce the appearance of dark circles with a product like Dermactin-TS Dark Circle Treatment, R347, from Dis-Chem. With time, the active ingredients work on dark circles, swelling and puffiness, leaving you looking fresh-faced.
I’m over my cracked heels
Convinced your cracked heels are never on show? Think ‘sandals’ and ‘shopping mall escalators’. If you don’t want to draw a collective “Ugh!” from everyone behind you, give your heels some regular TLC. Start off by using the OPI Callus File, R185, an ideal way to get rid of heel craters. It features a regular and fine grain file to tackle any dry skin problems. Once you’ve removed the thickened, dead skin, keep feet smooth with a pampering foot cream like Pevonia Ligne Phytopedic Multi-Active Foot Cream, R187. With regular use, the salicylic acid in the formulation will help exfoliate the skin and reduce the build-up of hard, dried out patches.
My hands are always dry
As hands are continuously subjected to harsh soaps and detergents, they are prone to drying out. The easiest way to prevent this from happening is to regularly cream up your hands. However, how many times have you generously massaged your hands only to try and pick up something and have it slip from your greasy fingers? When choosing a hand cream, remember to opt for one that dries to a matte finish on the skin. Great options include QMS MediCosmetics Hand Care, R135 (www.qmsmedicosmetics.co.za); or splurge on Lancôme Nutrix Royal Mains, R340, to give your paws the ultimate treatment.
Skin Deep
Try L’Oreal Dermo-Expertise Revitalift Face Contours & Neck, R190; RoC Lifting Flash Serum, R395; Eye Slices Biotonix In Vogue Eyes, R95; Dove Fresh Touch Green Tea and Cucumber anti-perspirant, R20; BioNike Defence Acqua20 Cleansing Water Mousse, R135; Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Gentle Line Smoothing Exfoliator, R255, for all your skin needs.
Text by Nicole Sparrow. This article was taken from the April 2010 edition of Longevity.
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