INGEBORG VAN LOTRINGEN, 46, Cosmopolitan beauty director
WHAT SORT OF SKIN DO YOU HAVE?
Reactive – a lot of things give me welts and rashes. So I’m very aware of what I put on my skin. I don’t get spots though, thanks to my dad’s genes.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR SKINCARE REGIME…
Layering is best; it’s a bit like feeding your skin lots of small meals instead of two big stodgy ones. I’ll splash on an essence to make my skin more receptive to active ingredients, followed by a serum (or two) and a light moisturiser. An SPF goes on top for day, rose-hip oil at night. I always use two cleansers (one oil or cream, one foam or gel-based so I catch both water and oil-soluble filth). For a boost, I’ll use an exfoliating acid mask followed by a hydrating one whenever I can be bothered.
WHAT BRANDS DO YOU SWEAR BY?
I relied on Estée Lauder and Clinique for years; they do solidly good ‘maintenance’ skincare that’s ideal in your thirties. But now that I’m getting older, full-on cosmeceuticals are the only real option. My favourite brands – NIOD, Bakel, Zelens – are formulated by experts who shout at me about what they call the ‘lies’ of the skincare industry, before detailing exactly how things work. I rate Neostrata, Skinceuticals, Medik8 and Teoxane as well, and plant-based, gentle brands like Pai and Gallinée for cleansing and nourishing.
ARE THERE ANY TREATMENTS YOU RATE? The only facials that really improve skin quality and tone revolve around facial massage and bespoke peels. I’ll have the odd one when I can with Kate Kerr, Debbie Thomas or Nichola Joss. Botox nukes lines, but it also accentuates the hardness that’s creeping into my face with age, so I don’t like it. I prefer new-generation fillers applied all over my face in microscopic amounts, like a sort of internal hydrator to make me look fresher and less worn-out. The master is Tapan Patel at the Phi Clinic. Lasers like the Excel V are amazing for zapping redness and veins. Cosmetic doctor Vicky Dondas told me that she thinks IPL (intense pulsed light) is the best way to break up pigment spots. You could spend a lot on creams for pigmentation and redness if they bother you, but lasers, though expensive, are much more effective.
SO WHAT’S THE KEY TO GOOD SKIN?
Be consistent from a young age. The products you use are not as important as religiously cleansing and hydrating twice a day – and always protecting with SPF30. And never forget regular exercise is the best anti-ager.
WHAT QUESTION ARE YOU FOREVER BEING ASKED?
“Will Botox give me better skin?” Botox will do nothing whatsoever for your skin quality; stop bloody sunbathing and smoking. Eat decent food and rely on proven ingredients like vitamins A, C and B3, antioxidants, mild acids, essential fatty acids and SPF. That’s the cold, hard truth.
ANY INGREDIENTS OR TREATMENTS YOU’D AVOID?
I hate glycolic acid – too aggressive. Same for microdermabrasion, which is the worst for delicate skin that flushes easily.
WHAT’S THE WORST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Someone quite recently said, “You don’t need to ask questions, just do as I say and only use my products.” If you want great skin, you should ask a million questions and perfect a skincare routine based on the knowledge of what works for you.