pretty little liar
Sure, those lips are injection-free. We’ll play along with that one. But claiming water is the secret to looking forever young? We all know better. Dermatologist Dr Nina Wines debunks the skincare lies and serves it up straight
We debunk the biggest beauty myths.
“DRINKING WATER KEEPS MY SKIN HYDRATED”
DOC SAYS: “There’s no question skin appearance mirrors internal wellbeing and the skin’s water content is known to play an important role in different skin functions, including maintaining a healthy barrier, which aids in keeping skin hydrated,” explains Dr Nina Wines, consulting dermatologist for L’oréal Paris Skin Expert. “But while we know this to be true in practice, the precise benefits and quantity of water consumption for skin vitality has not actually been proven. The recommended intake of water for women is eight glasses a day, but if this was all consumed at once, then it would simply be passed immediately by the kidneys. Also, consuming too much water can be bad for you. The best advice is to take small sips throughout the day and use quality moisturisers to keep the skin looking hydrated.”
TRY INSTEAD: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a known hydration booster, and the L’oréal Paris Revitalift line-up contains tiny HA molecules that penetrate the epidermis, working to plump and revive skin. Revitalift Filler [HA] Revolumising Serum (top left), $49.95, Revitalift Laser X3 Anti-ageing Power Moisturiser, $44.95, both L’oréal Paris, 1300 659 359
“A SPLASH OF COLD WATER CLOSES MY PORES”
DOC SAYS: “Nope, not true,” says Wines. “Pores are fixed and permanent features of your face. You can point the finger at your parents as it’s what you inherited from them. They can look worse if they become filled with dirt or dead skin cells, but the only way to permanently make them appear smaller is to undergo laser, and even then, some pores may not respond.”
TRY INSTEAD: Thorough cleansing will keep pores clear, the key to reducing their appearance. Try a cleanser with charcoal, which draws out deep-down impurities and helps to control excess oil. City Block Purifying Charcoal Cleansing Gel, $35, Clinique, clinique.com.au
“I CUT OUT DAIRY/GLUTEN/CHOCOLATE AND MY ACNE DISAPPEARED”
DOC SAYS: “Acne is a complex skin disease caused by multiple factors such as genetics, stress and hormones. Diet may contribute, but is not the only cause of acne, therefore cutting out one food ingredient, especially if there are no known allergies, will not clear up acne overnight,” says Wines. “I believe in a holistic approach: reducing stress for a balanced lifestyle (burning the candle at both ends affects your skin) combined with a healthy, antioxidant-rich diet and quality skincare. And remember, acne is a chronic disease that fluctuates, so try to be open to evaluating and adjusting your skincare as needed.”
TRY INSTEAD: Use a gentle bacteriafighting formula to treat spots. Wines recommends looking for one with the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide. Clear Start Breakout Clearing Emergency Spot Fix, $26, Dermalogica, dermalogica.com.au
“I HAVE GOOD GENES, SO I DON’T REALLY DO ANYTHING!”
DOC SAYS: “There’s absolutely no doubt that some people inherit better skin than others,” says Wines. “However, it’s how the skin is looked after that really counts, since ageing is due to both extrinsic factors (the environment and sun) and intrinsic ones (genetics). I have some patients who have gorgeous olive skin, who make the mistake of thinking they’re less prone to skin cancer, so they enjoy the sun without sunscreen. They are often more aged than a person with fair skin who has been cautious in the sun. And don’t forget, ageing is about more than just wrinkles. It’s also about volume loss, sun spots, irregular pigmentation and rough texture. If you treat your skin poorly, you’ll end up in the same boat as everyone else.”
TRY INSTEAD: Use an antioxidant-rich serum (Wines loves hero ingredient niacinamide, proven to fight ageing, sun damage and pigmentation) to protect against environmental aggressors. And top with a daily sunscreen – a good offence is the best defence. Lucent Facial Concentrate, $120, Aesop, aesop.com/au
oh, and a word on those lips…
If you’re set on a fuller pout (and more power to you), search for a trained injector who is experienced with the latest ultra-fine HA fillers – the right formula will prevent that exaggerated duck pout that ain’t fooling anyone. “The perfect HA for the lip should be smooth to inject, have a low incidence of forming clumps, should cause minimal swelling and last for a decent amount of time,” says Natalie Abouchar, director of Sydney’s Privée Clinic. Go-to brands such as Restylane, Emervel and Juvederm all have varieties specifically formulated for the lip, which “have a small-to-moderate particle size in comparison to fillers that we use in other areas of the face,” explains Abouchar. “This equates to the filler feeling softer and more natural. The larger the particle size, the firmer the product will feel and the end result could be a lumpy and uneven looking lip.”