Those scorching temperatures of the last few weeks have of course been fantastic. It’s just a pity that the warm weather has also been so favourable for mosquitoes. They came early this summer. And there’s nothing worse than being bitten to death in your garden or bedroom. What can you do about mosquitoes? How can you relieve mosquito bites? And why does one person suffer more than another? There is so much on this subject, and so many questions I have received, that I am spreading it over two blogs.
A couple of weeks ago I was on holiday with my family on a paradisiacal piece of earth below the equator. It was warm there, to say the least. As the only options to cool off were either under a palm tree or in the water, we spent a lot of time in the beautiful clear blue sea. However, that is when applying sun protection lapses… I was again reminded when I saw the discussion in the media, this week, about the importance of sun cream.
A couple of weeks ago I was invited by the programme Radar to speak about after sun products. I had to consider whether to do it or not, as I am not too keen on television presentations. In contrast to interviews for magazines, you have little control over what and how your story is broadcast. Some cutting and pasting can, in no time, make your carefully thought out statements sound very different than you intended. Having said that, I did give my story to Radar in the end. Because sun burn is so common. And the incorrect use of after sun can do your skin a lot of harm. For the purpose of clarity I have put it all down on paper for you.
That frown line on your forehead? The crow’s feet around your eyes or the sagging skin on your cheeks? No, sadly you can’t wipe those away. Really. That doesn’t mean, however, that skincare products won’t be able to make your skin look younger. It requires some persistence but it really is possible. And did you know that pigmentation spots and dull sallow skin, in particular, make you look older?
Although most of our good intentions don’t often last very long, I always favour a fresh start to the New Year. I can see, from all the mails I receive, that lots of people are really getting to work on their skin during this time. That is a good idea, because you need to look after your skin. And with a little more attention you will, literally, feel better. Commerce is also aware of this, as is evident when you open the January editions of the magazines. They are full of new gadgets, products and treatments promising you miracles. One of those new trends is DNA based skincare. And I would like to tell you some more about this.
Dr. Jetske Ultee has now added two excellent Concealers to her make-up range. They are super smooth and (again also) very suitable for sensitive or unsettled skin. How do you use this product? And how does it differ from the Foundation?
I am often asked if there are more interesting discoveries in the field of skin. And although magazines would lead us to believe that the latest ingredients and equipment can make you look ten years younger, there is little news to tell. Having said that, I am closely following a development which I think is pretty revolutionary. And that is the research into the role the intestines play in relation to the skin. It is, in fact, an old principle with a new approach, many doctors are not yet applying it and more research is still required for all the pieces in the puzzle to fall into place. I would still, however, like to share some of these insights with you, because I know that your skin (and your health) can benefit tremendously from them. (more…)
The link between diet and skin problems has long been ignored by doctors. However, what we already knew, and has now become evident, is that nutrition and your skin are not detached from each other. Sugars, for example, cause spots and wrinkles. Antioxidants, on the other hand, can protect your skin. Which nutrients come out on top of my list of favourites?
No matter how hard I try, I am still unable to convince people of the fact that miracle creams do not exist. Good skincare products can make your skin firm, smooth and radiant again, but that requires a good deal of patience. Wrinkles that just melt away like snow? There is no such thing; honestly! And yet, more and more people have assured me lately that the cream which was demonstrated recently in the shopping centre, the outlet centre, the new warehouse or at a cosmetics party made their skin ‘in no time’ beautifully smooth again.
Expensive products are sometimes better in quality, but very often you are paying purely for the beautiful presentation, an exclusive marketing campaign and a feeling of luxury. As with clothing, bags and sunglasses, cosmetics is also an experience. Yet, ultimately you want value for money when buying something because of what it promises. So: can it also be cheaper?