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 %)
- 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.
- They are using more premium brands – and spending more money on skincare – but their purchasing decisions are also influenced by editorials and price.
- 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.
November is a month of Stress Awareness in Britain and doctors have seen more symptoms of stress – including sleep and digestion issues, in recent months.Follow the Winter Skincare Rules above. Wrap up warm and watch for that tight skin feeling that signals low levels of hydration when outdoors. Strengthen your immunity - lemon and echinacea work wonders for me – and look after your work/life balance and emotional well-being. And try to sleep as much as you can!
Source: A nation of weepy, tired and stressed out people. BA April 2010
- 10 % of Brits admits to falling asleep or crying because exhausted at work
- 20 % have taken time off to catch up on sleep
- 24 % admit to making an error due to being tired
- 37 % blame money matters
- 24 % blame health or appearance issues
- 77 % believe society is more pressured than 5 years ago
To fight the sleep deprivation:
- 45 % reach for a coffee or tea to gain more energy and feel mentally alert
- 25 % eat chocolate
- 10 % drink energy drinks and eat sugary snacks
There is a growing evidence that more women in office-based jobs are developing a “computer face” and premature signs of ageing. Working long hours in front of a computer screen results – in a decade or so – in sagging jawline, “turkey neck” and deep-set wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes.
It is a habit. When stressed or thinking hard, people often put on a grumpy face to appear more serious.
- Concentration leads to frowning and squinting that overtime brings on the frown lines.
- Sagging is due to shortened neck muscles and sitting in one position for too long. This repetition leads to pre-mature signs of ageing - and in two decades of looking at the screen - these may be really significant.
To me, it is not the Botox but small changes to break the habit include:
- taking regular screen breaks
- stretching neck muscles – Dr Prager, a London cosmetic surgeon, also recommends “Kiss the ceiling” exercise we teach in facial yoga classes
- and raise your computer screen higher so that you are not looking downwards at it.
Come for facial yoga tuition or organise a facial yoga party.
Source: Eccles, L. Screens put years on you. Daily Mail Sep 2010.
A Pocklington grandmother who won a Mother’s Day competition has a new look and a portfolio of photographs.
Mavis Goodwin, 58, was nominated for the competition to reward a deserving Mum with a series of relaxing and anti-ageing facial massages by her daughter, Jayne Bell, who wanted to give her mum some valuable ‘me time’ from her role as a full time carer to Jayne’s father.
Organised by FaceWorkshops in conjunction with Mark Kensett photography, the competition attracted many deserving entries but we were so moved by Jayne’s nomination that we awarded the £600 prize of a three month course of anti-ageing facial massages plus a photo shoot package to Mavis without hesitation. As Mavis reached the end of the course of facial massages that have helped to energise and tone her skin; she said; “Not only is my skin glowing, but I have benefited in other ways, too. It has helped to take away stress, and forced me to make time for me and to relax. It’s been lovely and Mark’s photos are a great reminder of my experience.”
Mavis’s daughter Jayne accompanied her mum to some of the treatments. “My dad had an accident three years ago that left him brain damaged, unable to speak and totally reliant on Mum, so the last three years have been a real drain on her both emotionally and physically. After each treatment, it was as if a weight had been lifted from mum’s shoulders and a light was shining within her. I said in my nomination that if I could I would give her the world. I am very proud of her and the way she has looked after my Dad relentlessly and with such patience. Although winning the competition was not quite ‘the world’, the way that Katerina and Mark made us both feel special is something that we will never forget. Thank you for making a difference to both of us.”
As I diagnosed and treated Mavis’s face, it became apparent that she is a very strong person with great coping abilities. I have encouraged her to take time to relax, meditate and pamper herself, whenever she can.
For those of you who did not get a chance to listen to the interview live on the BBC Radio Humberside today, this is the BBC IPlayer link.
The interview starts at 2 hours 15 minutes into the show. I am happy to answer any questions you might have. Please email
info@faceworkshops.com.
