Beauty and cosmetics

Under the layers..

Mairead Robinson explains how you benefit by correctly applying your skin products.

Today caring for your skin no longer means just washing it and applying cream. According to the huge amount of research that has been carried out in recent years into caring for your skin, and developing anti-aging products and treatments, it is both extensive, elaborate and usually target based on your own skin concerns and needs. And so layering your skincare the right way can make all the difference when it comes to getting the most out of your products.

We all know the rule of thumb is to go from thinnest to thickest and the simple reason for this is absorption. If a thicker product is applied first, it can prevent the thinner layers from absorbing into the skin and working their magic. This is why you apply your serum before your moisturiser. Also if you use a mask, this must be applied last, usually at night, and it is pointless to apply any other products on top of the mask, as they simply will not get absorbed into the skin. Layering your skincare products is a very similar process between the morning and evening applications; however there are small changes for each. For example, in the morning or early day you would want to apply sunscreen. This would not be needed during the evenings. Additionally, adding products that include retinol should be done during the evening as contact with the sun can negate the benefits of the retinol. These products are best used before you climb into bed for the night as they can be working their magic while you sleep.

And so to the morning routine. Start with cleansing, this is sometimes only considered at night time, to remove make up, but it is essential to cleanse in the morning so you have a clean base to start. This will also remove any traces of sweat on your skin. Follow this by lightly exfoliating your skin, as this will ensure all dead skin cells are removed. This should be followed by a light hydrating mist that will saturate you skin and lock in moisture. Dermalogica Hyaluronic Ceramide Mistworks really well here, particularly for mature skin as it uses four types of hyaluronic acid to help the skin hold on to water for longer lasting hydration. Next apply our serum, and again choose one that will really hydrate your skin such as Skin Veg hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum from Skingredients. Serum is very important, so whatever brand you choose, remember to tap it gently into the skin and follow with your chosen moisturiser. Next apply a rich moisturiser and finish up with a good sunscreen that has an SPF of 30. If you do all that, your skin will be glowing and well protected against the elements for whatever the day might bring.

Then to the night routine. Of course you start by cleansing and choose a cleanser that will remove all your eye makeup too. I wrote previously about

Here are seven reasons why self- publishing may be perfect for you.

Courtesy of Lettertec

1 It’s your book – the way you want it Your story is a reflection of you, the writer. Selfpublishing gives you complete control over the direction of your book. The decisions are exclusively yours and are not limited by third parties with interests and intentions that differ from your own, such as that of traditional publishing companies. You are the sole decider, and the final product will be exactly what you want it to be, without any compromises.

2 Protecting your rights as an author As a self-published author, you fully own the rights to your book, whereas if one were to use a traditional publishing company, the publisher would own those rights. They may, for example, decide to stop printing and distributing your book, preventing you from printing additional copies unless you purchase the rights back. By opting to self-publish, Lettertec will simply produce your book in the way that you want, and you will retain all of the rights to your story.

3 Short print runs You may only require a small number of copies of your book. Self-publishing allows you the freedom to do this, and using Lettertec’s high-tech, modern print technology, we can provide you with this unique service. This is another example of the fact that you are in control of how your book is made when you choose to self-publish.

4 Testing the market Because your book may be for a niche or specialised group, self-publishing can be a great way of ‘testing’ the market. A small number of printed books can, for example, serve as an indication of how successful a larger quantity of books would be. Some authors request ‘review copies’ for them to present to publishing houses. Lettertec’s expert advisers will help you to create and position your book in the best possible way to reach your target market. 5 A niche market Your book may appeal to a niche or specialised market (e.g., the history of your local sports club) and therefore may not be of interest to a large publishing house. In this case, self-publishing allows you to control the production of your book, and our advisers will assist you with reaching this niche market.

6 Time Going through a publishing company usually takes a very long time, with authors having to wait their turn in long publishing catalogues. Many authors spend months, or even years waiting to hear back from traditional publishing houses. Whereas, if you choose to self-publish with Lettertec your book can be ready for bookstore shelves and online within just four weeks of us receiving your print-read files.

7 Re-ordering Lettertec will store your book digitally, which means we can reprint it for you at any time in the future if you wish. This service is extremely beneficial if you opt for a short first print run, only to find that your book is in high demand. You will have total control of your own story.

the benefits of double cleansing, and you will b e surprised at how your skin will benefit from this. Again follow with a good serum that will absorb into your skin and provide maximum hydration. Dermalogica Circular Hydration Serum works very well for night use. And so to one of my favourite products, and something that should never be left out in any skin care routine. A good eye cream – My Wrinkles Eye Repair Cream from This Works is just the job to treat those crow’s feet. Active ingredient Bakuchiol helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and creases while Crambe Seed Oil and antioxidant-rich Oat Extract help sooth, hydrate and reinforce the natural lipid barrier. Slow release Vitamin C and plumping Hyaluronic Acid help under eyes appear brighter, plumped and smoothed. There are several good eye creams out there, and for mature skin it is certainly a very important product to use.

And finally you need a really rich moisturiser that will feed and replenish your skin while you sleep. Image Ageless Total overnight Retinol Masque is a top product that transforms the skin’s appearance while you sleep. Multiaction technology continuously releases hydrating microspheres of marine collagen to lock in moisture and delivers retinol deep into the skin to support intensive collagen remodelling overnight. While all this skincare might sound far too much to you – it is perfectly okay to just slim down your skin care routine to the basics. The procedure above is recommended for maximum skin care and protection. However, if you would like to just keep it simple, the important points to remember are:-

Cleanse thoroughly, morning and night. Double cleanse if possible.

Exfoliate once a week to make sure that you are getting rid of any dead skin cells.

Apply a serum before your moisturiser.

And don’t forget the eye cream.

For the day time it is vital that you apply a cream with SPF. Even for days when we are not in high summer, it is recommended by medical experts that we use SPF every day in the Irish weather. Besides protecting against skin cancer, it will also help in the on-going battle against skin aging.