Embrace your skin changes
Dermalogica’s emma Hobson clears the air on skincare concerns and myths.
EMMA Hobson, Dermalogica’s education manager at the International Dermal Institute (Australia, Asia and New Zealand), walks the talk when it comes to skincare.
As the go-to expert for various aspects of the health and wellness industry in the AsiaPacific region, she has a wealth of knowledge at her fingertips. The Sydney-based Hobson, whose youthful skin belies her age, explained that it’s important to have a dedicated skincare routine, regular facials and a balanced diet.
“Wrinkles are inevitable. What’s important is to invest more time on your skin. Sunscreen is crucial and so are products suited to your skin,” said the affable Hobson, who has been in the beauty industry for over 30 years.
Hobson, who’s in her 50s, was in Kuala Lumpur recently to launch Dermalogica’s Embrace The Change campaign. The objective of the event is to educate women to embrace the changes in their skin.
Star2 had a chat with Hobson to find out her thoughts on beauty and skincare.
How important is our diet when it comes to skin?
The skin is a great “reflector” of our body’s internal health. Internal disharmony can manifest itself as a skin condition such as dry, irritated skin, increased skin sensitivity, breakouts and acne. Vitamins and minerals play an integral role in maintaining skin health as they are necessary for many enzyme reactions, hormone production and collagen formation.
What do you think of organic products?
I feel comfortable and confident that my skincare products don’t need to be organic. There is no scientific proof that organic skincare is better for you. It’s sad that consumers often fall prey to the marketing hype both
‘Wrinkles are inevitable. What is important is to invest more time on your skin,’ says Hobson. photo: dermalogica
online and in print media, telling them to be “chemical averse”. The reality is, 100% organic skincare is not only unnecessary for health and safety, it can’t deliver the results that consumers are seeking, especially in the realm of anti-ageing skincare.
What are some of the common skincare myths?
> Myth: Drinking two litres of water a day will result in smooth, clear skin. For a long time it was thought that drinking water had a direct effect on the skin’s hydration levels. But research has proved this to be incorrect. With that said, the body is made mostly of water and drinking ample quantities daily is essential for healthy body functions which includes the various process of the skin.
> Myth: Using oils on your face will make you break out. It really depends on the type of oils. Lots of oils are great for skin including essential oil blends, cleansing oils and vegetable oils. The key is to find one that is water soluble, so you can wash it off the skin.
> Myth: You don’t need sunscreen on cloudy days. Oh yes, you do! Approximately 80% of UV rays can penetrate through clouds.
> Myth: You have to wear a richer night cream at bedtime. It isn’t essential to use a different night cream unless your day cream contains an SPF or a tint. Your skin doesn’t require a much “richer” product while you’re sleeping. That said, you may wish to use a “specialised” active product on the skin during the night when your skin is make-up free.
> Myth: Oily skin needs to be dried out. Stripping the oil away by using sensitising, alcohol-based products can result in dehydration and flaky tight skin, and encourage the skin to produce more oil to balance itself again. There are some fantastic ingredients that help to reduce oil production in skin. Try to use products with oil-absorbing clays which act like a “blotting paper” mechanism.
> Myth: The sun clears pimples. There is no evidence that ultraviolet ray exposure heals spots. For several years, acne was unsuccessfully treated with a UV lamp. Today, there are new and successful treatments for acne using LED light therapy treatments using blue light. Perhaps this myth came about because people feel less stressed when outdoors in the sunshine. Vitamin D synthesis from UV rays is always good for the body.
What are the next upcoming beauty trends?
Some of the trends emerging in the beauty arena are skincare devices and skin diagnostic equipment used at home to improve product effectiveness. There is an increasing focus on tailor-made skincare designed on the individual’s DNA blueprint. People are moving away from injectables as a solution to ageing, and moving towards high-tech machinery such as skin diagnostics, combined with professional skincare treatments using highly active skincare formulations. The “selfie” trend is also leading to cosmetics being designed to enhance the appearance of the skin on photographs.
Even if you have oily skin, apply sunscreen daily and reapply when going outdoors. Remember ultra rays can penetrate through glass. If you’ve oily skin that’s prone to breakouts, try feather light, oil free and breakout treatment moisturisers containing sunscreen of SPF30+.
> Sunscreen protector... don’t leave home without it: Don’t rely on SPF in your make-up to protect your skin. To get the corrective amount of protection from a product, you need to apply approximately half a teaspoon for the face, neck and ears.
> Keep your skin cool: Keep some skincare products (spritz toner, daily moisturiser and hydrating gel masque) in the fridge so they are refreshingly cool on application. You can also soak a facial cloth in water with a few drops of essential oil, wring out the excess water, roll up and keep in a plastic bag in the fridge. For sensitive and dry skin, try camomile, sandalwood, geranium or neroli oils. For oily skin, use lavender, lemon, juniper and bergamot oils.
> Keep skin clean: With challenges of pollution, it’s easy for dirt and grime to adhere to skin, particularly when it’s hot and humid. It’s important to have a really thorough skin-cleansing routine, in the morning and evening.
> Protect against air-conditioning: Moving from hot to cold places and swapping between extreme environments can take a toll on skin, and cause increased dehydration and skin sensitivity. Incorporate products that boost hydration and skin protection. — Chandran