by Ellie Balfe
22nd Apr 2015
22nd Apr 2015
One thing people frequently ask me, for both my makeup artistry background and past few years as a beauty editor, is what products really work. The thing is, it’s hard to give generic advice as everyone’s skin is different, but I can tell you what I have found that really works for me with my fairly average, almost forty year old skin?
The one product that I tell everyone to add to their regime is a decent serum. If you are not using one right now – sort it. It is the one thing that can super-charge your skin condition and they also future-proof your skin by nourishing and protecting at a deep level. You may not see dramatic results in your twenties or early thirties, but cross that thirty-five divide and suddenly everything is different. If you’ve been caring for your skin prior to that, you’ll reap the rewards. If not, well?there’s still time, but get on it! Remember too, that serums are an extra step – they don’t replace moisturiser – the two combined offer a double pronged approach to improving your skin.
There are two serums that I have used for years and keep coming back to because they work.
At night I use the now-iconic Advanced Night Repair from Estee Lauder as I consider it to be the Rolls Royce of anti-aging serums. With 25 patents and ultra-impressive research results, this serum contains technology that works to hydrate, smooth, clarify and tone all skin types. My skin drinks it in like water and if I forget to use if for a couple of days, I can clearly see the lack of it. I think this will forever be in my beauty arsenal.
By day, I use the rather incredible Hydrating B5 Gel from SkinCeuticals. Containing high levels of hyaluronic acid, the body’s natural hydrator (which bears no similarity to other so-called ?acid? products, so don’t fear). This also holds a lot of vitamin B5 – another supreme skin nourisher. I use this under my moisturiser and sometimes if I’ve had a busy day and my skin looks a bit tired or flat at the end of the day, I press some over my face (and remaining makeup) with my fingertips. It’s not a budget buy, but it’s a great buy and it lasts almost six months so that fits with beauty economics in my view.
I have recently started trying out the new?Precision Lifting and Pore-Tightening Concentrate from Kiehls. It’s a new release from the brand and I think the term ?precision lifting? was the one that hooked me. There is no doubt that gravity is beginning to take hold, so if a ?lift? is promised, I’m listening!
Words aside, this serum has some very nice ingredients like yeast and geranium which a renowned for tightening properties and I have to say that after three weeks use every second day (I alternate with the B5 gel above), I think my skin is in good nick. I also love the geranium scent so I get a happy olfactory kick first thing in the morning.
SHOP THESE LINKS: 1. Advanced Night Repair/ 2. Hydrating B5/ 3. Pore Minimizer & Lifting Concentrate