East Yorkshire Skincare Survey

FaceWorkshops Skincare Surveys

 We carried a skincare survey on Beverley highstreet (2/3 of the group were women aged 40 – 70 years) to investigate the skincare choices of the local population. The results are worth publishing:

• 70 % said they were quite happy with their facial skin
• 60 % had dry skin type
• 80 % of participants were concerned about lines and wrinkles, followed by sagging (40 %), dry skin (25 %) and lack of radiance (20 %).
• 58 % used a single skincare brand; L’Oreal and Nivea were mentioned by 62 % of participants, followed by Boots and Olay (12 % each).
• 29 % were confused by the vast skincare choice on the market.
• magazine editorials and in-store promotions were the main factors persuading them to buy skincare (75 %)

Comparing these results to a shorter survey among the staff of a local blue chip company (2/3 of the group were women aged 40 – 60 years) shows interesting trends:

• only 30 % said they were quite happy with their facial skin – 70 % were not really happy!
• 60 % of participants were concerned with uneven or oily T-zone and enlarged pores.
• 40 % used a mass-market skincare brand (Nivea, Simple, Boots, Olay); 60 % used a premium brands (Clinique, Elemis, Estee Lauder, Clarins, etc.)
• magazine editorials and price were also the main factors persuading them to buy skincare (40 %)

1. These surveys indicate that women in the commercial environment are more concerned about - and less happy with – their skin simply because they are more in a spotlight. Appearance matters at work.
2. They are using more premium brands – and spending more money on skincare – but their purchasing decisions are also influenced by editorials and price.
3. The second group participants were slightly younger but also work-related stress might explain the T-zone related concerns as opposed to wrinkles and sagging mentioned in the highstreet survey.

Please comment on how these trends compare to your own approach to skincare.

Source: FaceWorkshops, MR 4/07 and MR 10/04.

Skincare Solutions for Hot Holiday Abroad

My clients frequently ask what to do if concerns occur when travelling abroad. Most often – apart from sunburn – they struggle with concerns related to a change in temperature, humidity and oiliness that result in weakened skin barrier and either breakouts or dry patches.  

Sunscreen Breakouts

Our facial skin can find hot and humid summer conditions a challenge,  due to a combination of factors: dirt and dust particles i.e. pollution increases due to travelling, sweating and higher sebum production (skin oiliness) and a protective layer of suncream – can result in summer breakouts. 

How to prevent the onset of spots on holiday:

• Use facial wipes frequently when travelling.
• If your skin is prone to comedone formation (blackheads), make an appointment for Deep Cleansing treatment a week before your travel.
• Apply a spot treatment with bacteria-eliminating actives at the first signs of inflammation (e.g. Dermalogica Special Clearing Booster (benzoyl peroxide), Aveda Outer Peace Blemish Relief (salicylic acid)) to reduce the spot size within hours.
• Use oil-free and non-comedogenic moisturiser that regulates oiliness in your facial T-zone.
• If your usual cleansing and moisturising products irritate you in summer, switch to products formulated for sensitive skin type (with a different emulsifying and preservative system) to soothe irritation and re-hydrate your facial skin. 
• Use mineral water or grape extract in a spray (e.g. Evian, Avene, Caudalie) to calm and cool your facial skin. 
• Keep your hair away from your face and rinse your sunglasses with soap frequently.

If prone to eczema-like dry patches due to the heat, try changing preservative system of your skincare (e.g. Ren, Caudalie) or apply light products capable to protect your skin barrier (e.g. http://www.it-evolve.com/whatisevolve.html) to ease itchiness and clear up dry patches.