Gone are the days of home encyclopaedias and reference books – most of us head straight for the internet as soon as we want to know more about a topic or product. There is a wealth of skincare information available online, and with a little bit of patience, you can find out just about anything you want to know. With that being said, there is also a lot of questionable info online, so be sure to consult trusted sources before following any advice.
We did some digging to find the most Googled skincare questions of 2023, and consulted an expert for the answers. Karen Bester, Medical Trainer at Lamelle Research Laboratories, answers the five most Googled skincare questions of 2023:
What does retinol serum do?
Retinol is used to increase the exfoliation of your skin and will improve the structure of the epidermis (or top layer of the skin) as this results in increased turnover of cells in the lower layers of the skin. Retinol is used to improve fines lines and texture in ageing skin. It is also used in acne for its effects in improving congestion and in conditions where there is mottled pigment, or areas of hyperpigmentation, retinol will assist in removing cells that contain more melanin or pigment.
The challenge with using retinol, is that it is irritating to the skin, especially when used in high concentrations. This has necessitated the development of forms of Vitamin A that are non-irritating. The advantage is that these forms of Vitamin A are as potent as prescription strength versions, but have no irritating or sun sensitising effects.
Look out for Lamelle Correctives RA Range of products. If you want to introduce a retinol serum to your regime, try Lamelle Correctives RA 3.0 Serum (R900.00). At a concentration of 3%, Correctives 3.0 RA Serum the retinoid used has absolutely no irritating side effect but has the same skin changing effects as a prescription strength version. It’s been proven safe, effective and, with only a few drops applied at night, it provides excellent results in treating the signs of ageing and removal of elastosis.
If you prefer a retinol moisturiser, try the ground-breaking Lamelle Advanced RA Cream (R1150.00). It is the first retinoid product to offer a potent dual retinoic acid precursor blend. It rapidly addresses multiple signs of aging, with less risk of irritation, while an encapsulated delivery system ensures optimum penetration.
The use of topical retinoids add the advantage of improving the cells health – some studies show that they reverse ageing cells. They increase the removal of old damaged structures in the skin, called elastosis, and with long term use they increase collagen production.
When to use a cleanser?
We would suggest cleansing your skin in the morning before your day starts and in the evening before you retire to bed. In sensitive or dry skin this might be a changed to using the cleanser once a day, generally at night, and doing a water-only cleanse in the morning. Your skin care professional therapist will suggest this.
We recommend Lamelle Nourish Daily Cleanse (R310.00). This soap-free foaming cleanser cleans thoroughly (but is gentle enough for any skin type), leaving behind specially created anti-inflammatories and antioxidants that restore and counteract ageing. Added humectants provide a moisture surge with every wash, leaving your skin feeling revitalized.
Is rose oil good for the skin?
The effects of rose oil are not very well researched, but it does apparently have humectant, anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial effects.
When using an essential oil, we would always caution about using it in its pure form. This can be irritating when applied to the skin. Essential oils are wonderful when used in diffusers, but need to be diluted in base oils when using them directly onto skin.
How to minimise pores?
The short answer is to keep skin hydrated and if need be, increase your turnover of your skin.
Pores are a challenge as the skin of the pore is actually part of the epidermis or top of the skin. This means that the skin of the pore exfoliates just like the surface of your skin does. The structure of the pore lies deep into the skin though. I have read many an article that talks about exfoliation as the best tool to keep pores clean. Unless your exfoliation product contains lipid soluble ingredients, like salicylic acid or Azelaic acid, it will not be effective into the pore, though.
The structure of the dermis is also important when considering the pore size. As we age, and are sun exposed, the lower layers of the skin start to lose their strength and ability to bind water. Using Growth Factors, Retinoids, Vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid-containing products will assist with this structure.
In summary:
- We cannot remove your pores – they are essential for life.
- Increase your skin turnover using a retinoid daily or using an exfoliating product that contains lipid soluble chemical exfoliators like salicylic acid or Azelaic acid.
- If you are over 50 and live in a sun-exposed environment, use products containing Growth Factors, Vitamin C, Retinoids and Hyaluronic acid to improve the structure at the base of the pore.
Try Lamelle Correctives HA+ Serum (R785.00), which contains five different types of Hyaluronic acid, each with a unique hydrating effect on your skin, and Lamelle Correctives Vita C Lipid Serum (R985.00), which offers a lipid-soluble form of Vitamin C that delivers ascorbic acid-comparable results, but is gentle enough to be used on sensitive and dry skin. Both of these products improve the structure and water binding capacity of the dermis to improve the size of the pore in this way.
What should I use for eczema on my face?
Use a product containing Ceramides – preferably ones that have proof that they replace the lipid-bi-layer structure of the skin. When changing product, move from what you are using to the new product by phasing it in to your routine. Add a little of the new product to what you are using. Increase the amount of new product slowly in the next few weeks to assist your skin in getting used to new ingredients.
The ingredients that are most likely to cause irritation will be colourants, some preservatives and fragrances – avoid these. Look for Ectoin, Panthenol, Oat beta glucan for their anti-inflammatory effects. At Lamelle we will always suggest using Lamelle Serra NSB Cream (R720) as the best option in severe cases of eczema.
For more information, visit www.lamelle.co.za
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