Here's another (baby) elephant in the corner: have you ever bought an anti-ager, packed full of proven ingredients like Retinol, and found that, well, it just didn't cut the mustard for you? Sure, the ingredients and science might be great but your skin felt as tight as a bodhran, and uncomfortable with it?
This is something that happens to me all the time - I'm at an age now where I do think my skincare needs to ramp up a step from doing lovely hydrate-y, skin-plumpy things (the core, in truth of many 'anti-agers' is just to hydrate skin well so any fine lines are plumped out, and perhaps lash a bit of SPF into the mix) to also offer some nice regenerative benefits.
The problem is, most of the ones I've tried just haven't had a base that's nourishing enough for my dry skin. So while I might be getting benefits down there in the collagen matrix, topside I look like a wrinkly crone. I'm willing to be corrected on this, but at the end of the day, all we really care about is how our skin looks in the mirror, don't we?
That doesn't mean we should abandon hope all ye who enter this here pharmacy, because there are things you can use in tandem with hard-working, performance-based products to create a cocktail of skin-food which will deliver the best results.
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Step number one, or the day-care solution, would be to use a hydrating serum as a first step. Both L'Oreal Paris' Dermagenesis and Vichy Aqualia's lines carry decent serums which will add a moisture boost and two-to-three drops can be used as a first step with any skincare regime. This ensures that skin gets its dose of hydration, keeping its appearance on an even keel while your actives-packed cream does its job.
Step number two would be to add a nourishing oil to your routine. While you can mix them into a cream-based moisturiser you'll probably need to indulge in a bit of trial and error first - and you'll get an insight into just how tricky cosmetic formulation can be, too. Oil may cause your favourite cream to turn into cottage cheese or, you never know, it could be ok. Something like Liz Earle's Superskin moisturiser and oil are designed to be used and combined together but a good way to add a moisturising oil into your regimen would be to use one at night before bed.
That's my solution anyway, and it seems to be doing the trick: my skin is getting its proper compliment of hydration, nourishment and proven ingredients.
Have you any tricks for maximising your moisturisers? Rate 'em in a comment!
