Retinoids: Anti-Aging Benefits

May 16, 2020Leave a comment

What Are Retinoids?

Retinoids are one of the most popular ways to help skin look younger. They come from vitamin A and have been around since the early 1970s. Retinoids were first prescribed to treat acne. Now they’re used to fight aging skin, psoriasis, and other skin conditions. They come in many forms.

How Retinoids Work

Retinoids don’t just peel away the top layer of your skin cells like an extra strong loofah. They trigger your body to make more collagen, a protein in your skin, muscles, and bones. It’s what keeps your skin elastic and firm. This means fewer wrinkles.

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Natural vs. Synthetic

photo of researcher

There are natural and synthetic retinoids. Natural retinoids come directly from vitamin A. Synthetic retinoids are man-made. Both trigger receptors in your skin. But synthetic retinoids don’t trigger as many, so they tend to be less irritating. That also means they may not work as well.

Types of Retinoids

Retinoids come in cream, gel, and liquid forms. Gels are usually stronger than creams, foams, and liquids, and are typically prescribed for acne. Creams are usually a good choice for aging skin. Retinoids come in different strengths, including 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1%. Stronger formulas work better but can cause more side effects.

Retinoids for Wrinkles

Because retinoids help your skin make more collagen, they soften wrinkles and fine lines. They also stimulate new blood vessels, which can give your skin a rosy color. Retinoids also help fade age spots and smooth rough patches. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is a popular prescription choice for aging skin.

Prescription or Over-the-Counter?

You can buy some retinoids, like adapalene (Differin), at the store. But you need a prescription for stronger ones like tretinoin (Retin-A). You can also get retinols at the store, which your body then changes to retinoids. They’re not as strong, so they’re less likely to make your skin red or itchy. And they take longer to work.

How to Use Retinoids

At night, put a small amount (about the size of a pea) on your entire face and rub it in. Using more than that can cause itching, redness, or drying.

Don’t Wear Them During the Day

Retinoids break down in the sun. That’s why you should put them on at night before you go to bed. They don’t raise your risk of getting sunburn. But it’s smart to always use sunscreen — whether you’re using retinoids or not.

Side Effects

It’s normal for retinoids to cause dry skin, redness, itching, or flaking. But that usually goes away after a while. Your doctor might tell you to use them every other night or just once a week at first until you can use them every night. If you keep having problems, stop and talk to your doctor.

Are Retinoids Safe?

photo of doctor talking to pregnant woman

Other than possible short-term side effects, retinoids are safe for most people. But retinoids haven’t been tested on pregnant women. So you should not use them during your pregnancy or while you breastfeed.

It Takes Time

Don’t expect quick results when you start using retinoids. It can take 3 months before you see changes in your wrinkles or fine lines. The best results can take as long as 6 months to a year. It’s important to be patient. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions.

Article from WebMD

Medically reviewed on 19/10/2019

Profhilo

April 10, 2020April 10, 2020Leave a comment

What Is Profhilo?

Profhilo Profhilo is not a mesotherapy product, neither is it a dermal filler,” says aesthetic dental practitioner Dr Emma Ravichandran, who was one of the first practitioners in the UK to use the product, having incorporated it into her clinic in February 2016. “Profhilo is a stabilised hyaluronic acid (HA) but without any chemical cross-linking agents – the first injectable of its kind,” she explains.

Profhilo, distributed by HA Derma, is indicated for the treatment of skin laxity and is free of 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) – a viscous liquid, hygroscopic in nature, which links the HA chains to prevent them being broken down by the body.¹ Although cross-linking chemicals, such as BDDE, in small doses in dermal filler has been indicated to be safe,² the BDDE-free concept could be appealing to consumers who are wary of synthetic chemicals being used in products.³

The science behind the product

According to IBSA, the HA is stabilised by a patented thermal process whereby the natural bonds found in high molecular weight (H-HA) break, and new hydrogen bonds are formed between the H-HA and low molecular weight (L-HA). This allows for 32mg of L-HA (80 – 100 kDa) to be combined with 32mg of H-HA (1100 – 1400 kDa), to form stable hybrid complexes (64mg in 2ml). In practice, the L-HA aims to hydrate and stimulate skin, while the H-HA acts as a dermal scaffold in the skin.⁴

Complications

As with any injectable treatment there are minor risks, including bruising and swelling, as well as infection, allergic reaction, vascular compromise and nerve damage; although IBSA claims these are rare.

Both the company and practitioners who have experience using Profhilo claim there is no real downtime, due to minimal injection points. “From a safety perspective, Profhilo is highly biocompatible, owing to the fact that it is made from natural hyaluronic acid and stabilised without the addition of chemical cross-linking agents,” says Dr Ravichandran, adding, “But it’s still important as an aesthetic injector to have the protocols to deal with any complications in case they occur.”

Results

Dr Ravichandran says, “After four weeks, my patients have experienced improvement in lines and tightness of their skin. After eight weeks there is a definite lifting and tightening of the skin – it is more hydrated and appears more youthful and in better health.” Some of her patients have reported an immediate improvement after treatment. She continues, “I have now completed 20 patients’ preliminary two-step treatments and am delighted with the results I have achieved (Figure 2). Overall, patients can expect increased firmness, elasticity and an overall improved quality of skin, with the effects lasting up to six months.”

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Conclusion

Dr Ravichandran concludes, “Profhilo does not create the volumetric lift or volume replacement associated with cross-linked dermal fillers, however, it creates volume in the tissue where it is needed due to its high spreadability. Owing to this characteristic, it is an ideal treatment for challenging areas as well, such as the neck, perioral area, and hands and arms, where we do not see the significant volume loss, but skin has lost elasticity. I often see patients with artificially enhanced cheeks, which is a result of overfilling because the wrinkle ‘just doesn’t go away’. But, in my experience, Profhilo has been very effective in correcting this concern.”

References

Derek Jones, Injectable Fillers, Enhanced Edition: Principles and Practice, (2010) Wiley-Blackwell.
Koenraad De Boulle, A review of the metabolism of 1,4-butanedio diglycidyl ether – cross linked hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, (2013 <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4264939/>
Lisette Hilton, CosmeticSurgeryTimes, Future fillers: Profhilo & Belotero Volume, (2016) <http://cosmeticsurgerytimes.modernmedicine.com/cosmetic-surgery-times/news/future-fillers-prohilobeletaro-volume>
IBSA Derma, A New Discovery, (2016) <http://www.ibsaderma.com.ua/en/pdf/Brochure_medico_Profhilo_en.pdf>
Antonella D’Agostino, BioMed Central, In vitro analysis of the effects on wound healing of high- and low-molecular weight chains of hyaluronan and their hybrid H-HA/L-HA complexes (2015) <http://bmccellbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12860-015-0064-6>

Why Hyaluronic Acid is so magical for your skin

April 10, 2020April 10, 2020Leave a comment

hyaluronicacid One amazing fact about Hyaluronic Acid is that it is an humectant, which means each molecule can attract and hold on to 1000 x its own weight in moisture from its surroundings. It works hard to keep every aspect of skin stable, safeguarded and constantly renewed.

Hyaluronic Acid can therefore enhance moisture levels like no other ingredient. It revitalises the outer surface layers of the skin, so it looks and feels softer, smoother and radient – instantly improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Introducing Hyaluronic Acid into your topical skin care routine

Hyaluronic acid is incredibly popular and can be found in many skincare products. To get the hydrating benefits of Hyaluronic Acid, it’s best to choose a moisturising cream, lotion or serum. Look for Hyaluronic Acid or Sodium Hyaluronate on the product’s ingredient label.

Sodium hyaluronate is a salt derived from Hyaluronic Acid and because of the smaller molecule size, is easily absorbed into the skin. Ideally the product should contain 1% or higher HA. Any less, and it’s not likely to have many benefits for your skin. if the product doesn’t show the percentage of HA, make sure it’s high on the list of ingredients.

Apply Hyaluronic Acid serums after cleansing or washing your face and use a moisturiser over the top to seal it. For best results, use only one product containing HA at a time and seal with a moisturiser or oil.

Spotlight on Profhilo Haenkenium

Profhilo Haenkenium® cream, is a topical formulation that provides immediate skin hydration, natural antioxidant protection and long-term accumulative skin rejuvenation results. Combining a patented Hyaluronic Acid (HA) complex with Salvia Haenkei extract, this multi-tasking complex protects, restores and improves skin cell health within one skincare product.

■ HYALURONIC ACID (HA) COMPLEX This exclusive complex combines both high molecular weight HA, which has a protective effect, restoring and maintaining the skin’s hydrolipidic film, with low molecular weight HA, which contributes to optimal hydration.

■ HAENKENIUM This patented Salvia haenkei extract enriches the formula and slows down the degradation process of HA caused by ROS, prolonging the benefits to the skin. It provides skin protection from free radical damage and improves the skin cell health.

HOW DOES PROFHILO HAENKENIUM WORK?

PROTECTS

and provides exceptional antioxidant protection and protects the skin from premature ageing caused by oxidative stress factors such as pollution, diet and smoking and prevents photoaging counteracting damage from UV exposure.

RESTORES

the skin barrier function, skin hydration, skin firmness, elasticity and tone.

IMPROVES

the quality, health and appearance of skin by diminishing the visible signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as alleviating skin irritation and redness caused by oxidative stress, sensitisation or following any dermoaesthetic treatments.

“PROFHILO HAENKENIUM” is so much more than just a moisturiser – this formulation optimises your skin cell health’. ”

— Anna Baker BN RGN INP PGCert (App. Clin. Anat.) PGCert (Clin. Ed.)

COVID-19

March 19, 2020Leave a comment

A message to all my valued customers:

A huge thank you for your continued support. This is just to say that whilst there is plenty to frown about – you don’t have to.

Many salons and clinics remain open until further notice but I am also offering home visits on request and if conditions allow.
However, if you’re understandably avoiding going out, I hope to see you with new products and offers when all this blows over.

Take good care and stay safe and well.

Sharon x

After Care: Retinol

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019Leave a comment

I am often asked by my clients about Retinol, its benefits and how to use it. One of the few ingredients to actually work, Retinol is effective in improving skin’s brightness, the treatment of acne, reducing brown/sun spots and minimising the appearance of wrinkles. It really is a skincare superhero!

Screenshot 2019-04-17 at 14.48.12 To my customers, I recommend Radical Night Repair by ZO Zein Obagi. Formulated with 1% retinol, it also provides antioxidant protection to help neutralise free radical damage.
Retinol is the chemical name for Vitamin A and retinoids cause skin cells to turn over at a faster rate, decreasing oil production and helping the skin to exfoliate.

It’s important to remember that Retinol is strong stuff and with almost all effective aesthetic treatments, there will be some side effects that vary by individual.

During ‘retinization’ (which can start 1-3 days after first use) and as your skin adjusts to the retinol there may be some peeling, dryness and your face may appear redder than usual. Sensitivity is completely normal and there are many ways to soothe your skin while it builds a tolerance to Retinol. Patience is key and glowing, healthier looking skin is worth waiting for! We thought we’d list some of the best after care tips so that your Retinol treatment is as efficient as possible…

Preparation

The best preparation your can do pre-retinol is to ensure your face is moisturised. Start a moisturisation routine day and night for at least a week before you start using Retinol and you’ll ensure your skin has a better barrier function.

Moisturise Again!

Applying the retinol over a moisturiser at night will help to temper the harshness of the product. Look for one with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, antioxidants or redness relieving peptides. I recommend Epionce Renewal Facial Lotion which contains all of these things as well as a botanical complex of meadowfoam, flax, avocado and lavender to calm inflammation and neutralise free radicals. This can be ordered through Making Faces so contact me if you’d like to know more!

Best-Kept-Secrets-for-Naturally-Healthy-Skin

photo: lifeadvancer.com

Slow & Steady

Retinol is best applied at night so as to avoid sun sensitivity and shouldn’t be used every day at first. Start by applying retinol twice per week, gradually working your way up to regular use. Slow and steady will mean you have a less severe reaction to the retinol as your skin adjusts and over time you can build up to daily use if you wish.
If your skin has an adverse reaction, stop use for a couple of days until it calms down.

Switch Up Your Routine

For the first month of regular use, your skin will be sensitive and this means you may need to switch up your care routine. Use a gentle cleanser instead of an exfoliator and allow some natural oils to remain on the skin. I love SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser or Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser.

Give up masks and facial peels too – Retinol will naturally exfoliate the skin and so there is no reason to do any manual dermabrasion. You should also avoid any other products that contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid as they can be too harsh during retinol use.

Moisturise AGAIN

If you don’t get any dryness, it’s likely that your retinol isn’t strong enough so dry patches are completely normal and should be treated with more moisturiser or soothing aloe vera gel.

Ask Your Aesthetician

If you think you are having an extreme reaction to retinol, contact your aesthetician for advice. In rare occasions when rashes develop it may mean you are having an allergic reaction to the product and so should stop use immediately.

Retinol can have incredible results when used correctly and my clients that use Radical Night Repair have found it has now become a part of their ongoing skin care routine. If you’d like any advice or have any questions at all about the product – please do not hesitate to contact me.

Beauty Food | Eating For Healthy Skin

February 21, 2019March 6, 2019Leave a comment

When it comes to healthy skin the phrase “you are what you eat” could not be more true! To achieve glowing, vibrant and healthy skin, diet is the best place to start so we thought we’d talk you through the best things to eat to get your skin looking its best…

Fruit + Vegetables

fruitandveg

Eat a rainbow of fruit and vegetables and you’ll be filling your body with powerful antioxidants that help to protect skin from the cellular damage caused by free radicals.
Everyday things like smoking, pollution and sunlight can cause wrinkling and age spots but by aiming for at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, we can fight the negative effects these things have on our skin.

Tip: Betacarotene found in carrots, sweet potato and pumpkin and lutein found in kale, papaya and spinach are rich in potent antioxidants that are vital for normal skin development and healthy skin tone.

Vitamin C

oranges

A super antioxidant that’s needed to support the immune system, Vitamin C also promotes radiant skin and helps blemishes to heal properly.
The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C is 60mg and the best sources are blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, kiwi fruits, oranges, strawberries and sweet potatoes.

Fact: Vitamin C is vital in the production of collagen which strengthens the capillaries that supply the skin, promoting elasticity and a more youthful appearance.

Selenium

brazils

A powerful antioxidant that works alongside other antioxidants such as Vitamins E + C, Selenium is essential in supporting the immune system.
Reports suggest that a selenium rich diet can help protect against skin cancer, sun damage and age spots! This super nutrient can be found in Brazil nuts, shellfish, eggs, wheatgerm, tomatoes and broccoli.

Tip: Just 4 Brazil nuts will provide the recommended daily amount of Selenium!

Water

water

The one we hear most often yet is so commonly forgotten about throughout the day – water is essential to healthy skin. Even mild hydration will cause skin to look tired, dry and grey so keep a bottle of water nearby at all times!

Aim for 6-8 glasses of water a day and remember to include moisture rich fruits and vegetables in there too such as watermelon, courgette and cucumbers.

Tip: Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption if you want to keep your skin looking bright and healthy.

No Yo-Yo Diets

yoyodiet

Constantly losing and regaining weight can take its toll on our skin, leading to sagging, wrinkles and stretch marks. Crash or extreme diets are usually short in essential vitamins and minerals and over long periods of time this type of diet will reflect on your skin.

Choose a balanced, healthy diet filled with fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, meat and wholegrains to ensure your skin is looking the very best it can.

Healthy Fats

avocado

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like those found in avocados, oily fish, nuts and seeds help to provide essential fatty acids. These act as a natural moisturiser for our skin, keeping it supple and improving elasticity.
These fats also come with a healthy dose of Vitamin E which further help to protect against free radical damage.

Zinc

Screenshot 2019-02-21 at 13.56.29

Involved in the normal functioning of the sebaceous glands which produce oil in the skin, Zinc helps to repair skin damage and keep skin soft and supple.
With anti-inflammatory properties, Zinc helps to heal and rejuvenate the skin and may help to prevent acne.

Tip: Zinc rich foods include fish, lean red meat, wholegrains, nuts, seeds and shellfish.

Winter Skin

January 4, 2019Leave a comment

Christmas is over and Winter has hit us hard…’tis officially the season of chapped lips, dry cheeks and watering eyes. I want to make these upcoming months a little more comfortable and so here are my top tips for keeping your skin happy and healthy throughout this chilly time of year.

Stay Hydrated

When outside in the blistering cold (or indoors in central heating) our skin becomes drier and more sensitive. Help keep your skin hydrated from the inside out by swapping coffee and alcohol for water and green tea; which has great antioxidant properties.

Wear SPF

The sun may not be shining but there are still high levels of UVA around that can age our skin. Wear a sunscreen everyday with a high UVA rating so that your skin is protected from these damaging rays. Epionce’s Ultra Shield Lotion protects against UVA and UVB rays and is lightweight so won’t interfere with the rest of your skin regime or your make up!

Tip: There is less UVB round in Winter and as this is vitamin D stimulating it can be beneficial to supplement with vitamin D3.

Professional Treatments

Get ready for the party season with a professional skin treatment. Due to the increased risk of sun exposure in the summer months, it can be best to leave peels and laser treatments to the Winter.

The Epionce Chemical Peel (available at Making Faces) is anything but ‘chemical’. In fact, it utilises the power of nature and contains naturally occurring fruit acids and enzymes to prompt your skin to increase its cellular turnover. With minimal downtime, you can be looking your best at the office Christmas party with no stress at all!

Choose Your Moisturiser

Some over the counter moisturisers contain petroleum based ingredients that only further dry your skin. Choose a rich and nourishing moisturiser like Epionce’s Intensive Nourishing Cream which contains ultra hydrating ingredients that will strengthen the collagen and elastin in your skin.

Exfoliate

After a day out in harsh conditions exfoliating might feel like the last thing you want to do but your skin will need a hand removing dead cells. Use a gentle exfoliant like St Ives Apricot Scrub which contains natural walnut shell (better for the environment than microbeads!) and salicylic acid or Obagi360’s Exfoliating Cleanser which not only removes dead skin cells but also contains Panthenol to soothe any inflamed areas.

Overnight Remedy

By adding an overnight treatment to your skin regime, you can ensure you wake up with nourished, bright looking skin everyday! We love facial oils and serums for use overnight. The lightweight nature of these products mean they can penetrate more ncxod3t8mky2nhbrqbte deeply into the skin, delivering active ingredients to both the dermis and epidermis.

There’s a reason Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Serum is the number 1 best selling in the UK and Ireland – if you haven’t tried it yet we strongly recommend you do!
Packed full of ingredients that are 99.8% natural, a few drops before bed will soothe, nourish and hydrate your skin. It smells amazing too!

Perfect Pout

Don’t forget to treat your lips to some TLC too! We love the Baume de Rose Lip Scrub from By Terry which is enriched with rose butter and rose hip oil to exfoliate and moisture dry or chapped lips.

Making Faces’ Lip Conditioning Treatments improve the appearance of your lips by improving colour and maintaining suppleness and moisture levels. Contact me for more information.

7 Favourites: everyday skin care

May 10, 2018May 10, 2018Leave a comment

There are more skin care products on the market now than ever before. It’s a minefield of scrubs, peels, serums, acids, day creams, balancing toners, brightening lotions and much more that can leave you confused and quite frankly, baffled.

Finding your perfect skincare routine can take years. To help make the process easier we’ve picked 7 of our favourite products for use in a different step in your skin care regime.

Cleanser | the first step towards clear, radiant skin is clean skin. There’s no point in investing money in the best products if you’re slathering them onto skin that isn’t properly cleansed…
It’s no secret that MAKING FACES loves Jan Marini; founded in California, this innovative company is continually developing and expanding the professional skincare market.

The Bioglycolic® Face Cleanser offers deep, non irritating cleansing that leaves the skin soft and hydrated. What’s better is you do not need to follow with a toner or astringent…any product that simplifies our morning routine is fine by us!
I am yet to find a client of mine who doesn’t love this cleanser.

“Apart from retinoids, the only other ingredient that’s been shown to stimulate collagen and tighten pores is glycolic acid. As an additional immediate benefit, it removes rough dead skin cells to give skin a smoother appearance. “
TeenVogue.com – March 2012

Scrub | using a facial scrub (no microbeads please!) a few times a week is a brilliant way to administer a slightly more intense exfoliation than a Biolglycolic cleanser can offer. Use a scrub that contains salicylic acid and you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner!

Salicylic acid penetrates deep into the pore lining (as opposed to most acids which only treat the surface layer of the skin) and breaks down the bond that keeps dead cells clinging together. It helps to promote new cell turnover which leaves skin firm and plump. Salicylic acid’s anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe red and angry skin and is a great addition in the treatment of acne.

We love the St Ives Blemish Fighting Apricot Face Scrub which is made with 100% walnut shell powder (much better for the environment) is non-comodegenic (doesn’t block pores) and contains 2% salicylic acid. Plus is smells like apricots – perfection.

Serum | the lightweight nature of serums mean that they can penetrate deeper into the skin; delivering active ingredients to both the dermis and epidermis. Regularly using a serum can not only give your skin a firmer, smoother texture; it also improves moisture levels and makes pores appear smaller.

What ‘The Ordinary’ lacks in snazzy packaging they make up for in brilliant products with high performing ingredients. “Buffet” is a multi-peptide serum packed full of anti ageing ingredients that includes hyaluronic acid and Matrixyl 3000 – which stimulates collagen synthesis. A pleasingly affordable price tag makes this our pick of the serums currently available.

Primer | Hourglass continually rank highly on our list of favourite cosmetics brands. Not only do they combine luxury, science and beauty, they create cruelty free, vegan products in the process. The Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer is lightweight, oil free and works to hide redness, wrinkles and imperfections while creating the perfect base to ensure your make up stays intact all day.

Moisturiser | clinically proven to repair and strengthen the skin’s external barrier, Epionce have used over 20 years of research to perfect their range. Referred to as a ‘cult’ product, you won’t find it in shops as it’s only retailed by aesthetic clinics, spas, dermatologists and plastic surgeons. The Renewal Facial Cream is by far our favourite moisturiser, not only for its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties but its luxurious feel and gorgeous flowery scent – this is a cult you should definitely join!

SPF | providing broad spectrum protection with the bonus of a glowing tint, the Epionce Daily Shield Tinted Lotion (SPF 50) is perfect for all skin types and will leave you glowing without any of the long lasting damage. Fortified with anti-oxidants and water resistant, if you’re planning a Summer holiday this year, don’t leave without it!

Lips | the best £8 you’ll ever spend will be on The Body Shop’s Lipscuff. A lipstick sized stick that nourishes and smoothes, Lipscuff contains a natural exfoliant that will leave your lips kissably soft! Follow with Bobbi Brown’s lip balm with SPF 15 (because lips get sunburnt too) which is specially formulated with wheatgerm, avocado and olive oil for moisturised and happy lip

If you try (or already use!) any of the products we’ve mentioned – let us know what you think in the comments below. Alternatively, if you have a go-to product you couldn’t live without – please share!

5 tips for healthy Summer skin

May 3, 2018May 3, 20181 Comment

It looks like Summer is on its way! Fingers crossed the lovely weather stays and we can start justifying all of the Magnum’s we’re eating…
With the warmer days comes even more reason to protect your skin so we’ve got a round up of 5 easy tips for keeping your skin healthy this Summer.

Sun screen – possibly the most obvious but by far the most important. You should use a sunscreen on your skin every day but even more so during the Summer. Whether you work indoors or out, a layer of sun screen will protect your skin from UV rays and there are some great products on the market that don’t feel heavy or leave your skin looking greasy. We recommend Epionce Active Shield lotion SPF30+ which is light, fast absorbing and fortified with antioxidants.

Lip protection – as if we need an excuse to buy another lipstick? During the Summer months don’t forget our lips are delicate and burn so easily. No one wants to look like a Batfish so be sure to look for a lipstick or lip balm with an SPF of at least 15.

Not a good look.

Water – hydration is key all year round but during the Summer months, enjoying the sun can mean we end up feeling a little shrivelled. Be sure to drink plenty of water and snack on leafy greens, watermelon and berries to help you stay hydrated.

Exfoliating – as much as we’d all love a daily facial, for most it is not feasible. However, you can have a mini pamper every day if you use the right products. A gentle, daily exfoliating routine is the next best thing (bar a personal beautician) for clearing away dead skin cells and cleaning your pores; ensuring bright, radiant and healthy Summer skin. We love the ZO Skin Health Offects Exfoliating Polish which contains ultra-fine magnesium crystals and added vitamins A, C & E.

Go natural – if Summer days make you dread the thought of your normal make up routine, why not go natural? Going completely without make up can be a little daunting but a great breathable camouflage cream can cover up any blemishes, dark spots and troublesome areas effortlessly – leaving you looking natural and glowing. We use the Lycogel Breathable Camouflage SPF30 – available in 10 shades to suit your skin tone it will improve your skin whilst making you look flawless….and it’s water resistant! Pool party anyone?

Epionce – the beauty of healthy skin

April 18, 2018May 3, 2018

Formulated with potent botanical ingredients, paraben and fragrance free and a proven effectiveness in independent clinical trials it’s no wonder Epionce was voted the best anti-ageing skincare line in the USA. Its popularity is now spreading to the UK where it is one of the most used ranges by doctors and medical aesthetic clinics.

Epionce is one of the specialist ranges we stock at MAKING FACES and we begin by identifying your skin type first, then customising to suit your skin health goals.

Cleanse & Prepare
Epionce Cleanse & Prepare products remove skin impurities without disrupting the intercellular lipids and cells that form the natural protective barrier. The cleanse and prepare process is important because it removes makeup, dirt and oil in readiness for the application of leave-on Lytic and Renewal products.

Correct & Boost

Epionce Correct & Boost products are proven through rigorous independent testing to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and unwanted pigmentation. The powerful Epionce ingredients have been formulated to avoid unwanted disruption or irritation to the skin. Your skin will look smoother, with a fresher more even looking complexion.

Renew & Fortify
Epionce Renew & Fortify If you are new to the range and wondering which product to start with we recommend one of the Renewals or Intensive Nourishing Cream. They are the cornerstone to good skincare and once you see the improvements in your skin you will start to appreciate why Epionce has become such a popular skincare line. Formulated with a wide synergistic array of proven active botanical ingredients.

Protect & Prevent
Daily use of the Epionce Protect and Prevent products help protect the skin from damaging UVA and UVB exposure which can lead to ageing of the skin. Epionce sunscreens are formulated for high sun-blocking efficacy while maintaining the most elegant aesthetic qualities – smooth application and no white residue. Ideal for sensitive skin alone or under makeup.

Post-treatment Care
Taking care of your skin following a treatment procedure is important to ensure positive long-term results. Epionce has the answer! Formulated for incredibly sensitive post-treatment skin, two Epionce post-treatment Kits are effective tools for post-procedure at-home care by enhancing the healing process.

Professional Use
The Epionce peels are medically supervised chemical peels available for in-clinic treatment procedures. Each peel system helps improve the appearance of problem and photoaged skin by deeply cleansing pores and removing skin scale while smoothing the skin to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Talk to Sharon at MAKING FACES to understand which peel is suitable for you. Epionce facial peels from £90.

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Category: Skin Care