Ask our health experts
Q: How do I choose the right moisturiser when there are so many options available on the market?
SKIN HYDRATION
with Nichaela Aylward
Winter and early spring is when everyone’s skin is dry, cracked and flaky, but as a consumer, how should you be choosing which moisturiser to buy? It can certainly be overwhelming with so many products available in the marketplace, so where does one start when looking for the right fit for their skin?
Understanding moisturising ingredients can help make your decision easier.
Moisturising ingredients work via three different mechanisms dependent on whether they are occlusive, emollient and humectant ingredients.
Occlusive ingredients create a barrier over the skin’s surface to stop water loss. They include shea butter, coconut oil and petroleum jelly, which are simple oils that sit on the surface of the skin.
Emollients are creams and lotions that are able to penetrate beyond the top skin layer into the deeper layers, helping to hold water deeper in the skin.
Humectants work a bit differently as they draw moisture from the outside in. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid increase the total amount of water that the skin can hold.
The key to finding the right moisturiser is combining all three types of ingredients together. Seeing a skin therapist for a skin assessment will also help you determine the correct moisturiser for your skin’s conditions, making it easier to know what exactly to look for. Remember, if you invest in your skin, it will reward you in the long term.
COASTAL PLASTIC SURGERY
19/5 Innovation Parkway, Birtinya
Phone: 5437 9333
coastalplasticsurgery.com.au
Q: Why do I need to exfoliate my skin?
EXFOLIATING
with Marie McKinlay
As we age, the process of cell regeneration slows down. This means that the body is slower when it comes to shedding off skin cells and generating new ones. When this happens the skin can look dry, rough and dull, and the build up can result in excess oil and clogged pores, which leads to blemishes and acne. Therefore, exfoliating your skin on a regular basis is important, as this helps slough off the dead skin on the outer surface of your skin and prevent this from happening.
My favourite product to combat dry, dead skin is Sothys’ Gommage Exfoliant, which is derived from oat flour, and the reason why is because this product bonds to the dead cells on the surface of the skin while it dries. When it is gently rolled off, it removes these cells, leaving the skin smooth and refined. And best of all, this effective exfoliant caters to all skin types, including sensitive skins.
Proper exfoliation also opens the way for your serum and moisturiser to penetrate more deeply into the skin, which will leave your skin looking fresh and revitalised.
Regular facials are an excellent way to invest in your skin’s health and see results, not to mention their added perk of giving you a much needed chance to relax and calm your mind. Book in for a facial to suit your needs and see for yourself how this can change your skin after one treatment.
ESSENCE OF BEAUTY BY MARIE
11/86 Burnett St, Buderim
Phone: 0406 675 978
essenceofbeautybymarie.com.au
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