Skincare Basics |005 - Choosing Your Treatment Products
While your skincare routine should address your daily concerns there are times where your regular products may need a little bit of extra help. That is where your treatment products come in. These are the products you reach for occasionally to help with issues that crop up now and then.
WHAT ARE TREATMENT PRODUCTS
Treatment products are the short-term boosters you add into your skincare routine on an occasional basis or as a targeted solution for a specific concern. For example, if you find you get the odd breakout around your menstrual cycle, but don’t generally have breakout prone skin, having a spot treatment to hand will help for those few tricky days each month. Or if you find the skin around your eyes is looking a little lacklustre, you can throw in an eye cream to give the skin a little bit of extra support.
There are a huge number of treatment products to help bolster your regular skincare routine. You may not always be reaching for them day to day, but it’s always a comfort to have them there.
WHEN SHOULD YOU USE YOUR TREATMENT PRODUCTS
When you use your treatment products will depend on the concern and the product itself. Typically, you would cleanse your skin first, use your treatment product and then follow up with the rest of your normal routine.
All treatment products will have instructions for the best way to slot into your routine, so pay attention to that for the best results.
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR TREATMENT PRODUCTS
Your day-to-day skincare routine takes into account any broad concerns, but this can then have ‘featuring acts’ which you reach for to add a little extra sparkle or calm your skin when you need it.
For those pesky period spots, a spot treatment suited to your skin type is a must. You may only use it for a few days each month, but they will help to take down the inflammation and pain and will help to reduce the risk of scarring or hyperpigmentation.
We notice the first signs of ageing around the eyes where the skin is more delicate so having a specific eye product can target those concerns with more precision.
Masks can be a great way to bring an extra dose of either oil-control or hydration into your routine. If you need to prepare your skin for a party or find that when the seasons change, it takes a little while for your skin to catch up, using a mask a couple of times a week will having you feeling in more control of your skin.
Want your skin to be at maximum glow for that big event? Single use exfoliation peel pads are a great for smoothing and polishing your skin. They tend to be more high strength than regular exfoliating cleansers so don’t over do them.
OUR FAVOURITE TREATMENT PRODUCTS
Treatment Products for Oily and Combination Skin
Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
Why we love it: We love it when a brand adapts a product to work for more people. The Alpha Beta Peel Pads contain Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Lactic Acid to get rid of excess skin cells. Use these exfoliating pads for 3-5 days in the run up to a big event to get that extra bit of glow.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Why we love it: This mask combines charcoal, clay and Salicylic Acid to control excess oil and spots. Apply to the oily parts of your skin (you can even apply it directly to your breakouts) and leave for ten minutes to leave your skin feeling calmer and less greasy.
Medik8 Blemish SOS Rapid Action Target Gel
Why we love it: This lightweight gel will calm spots and inflammation as soon as you notice the first signs. Salicylic Acid reduces excess oil and Azelaic Acid kills bacteria, targeting the two main causes of breakouts straight away. Apply with clean fingers or a cotton bud direct to your spots after cleansing.
Treatment Products for Dry & Dehydrated Skin
Glossier Balm DotCom
Why we love it: As well as keeping dry lips at bay, this skin salve will also soothe chapped and cracked skin on your body (heels and elbows, we’re looking at you). Coming in a huge variety of flavours and scents, there really is something for everyone.
Paula's Choice Ceramide Enriched Firming Eye Cream
Why we love it: This rich eye cream contains Ceramides, Retinol and Vitamin C to target dryness, fine lines, and dullness. This is a great all-rounder to treat all major eye concerns.
Zitsticka Clarifying Microdart Patch Kit
Why we love it: Sometimes spot treatment gels can be too drying for already dry skin. These patches are applied directly to spots and left on to do their work overnight. Don’t be scared by the microdarts, they are simply dissolvable points which allow the active ingredients (Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide) directly into the spot, preventing dryness and sensitivity.
Treatment Products for Sensitive Skin
Clinisoothe Skin Purifier
Why we love it: Whether you’ve overdone the active ingredients or caught the sun slightly, Clinisoothe’s Skin Purifier is an in incredible all round skin fix. The innovative hypochlorous technology reduces inflammation and kills microbes to create the perfect environment for skin to heal.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
Why we love it: This hydrating mask contains Panthenol, Allantoin and Bisabolol to soothe stressed and sensitive skin. Perfect for treating dryness caused by flying (hence the name) and cold weather this mask will leave your skin looking plump and dewy and feeling comfortable.
Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil
Why we love it: This face oil is great option to have on hand when your skin is feeling angry and stressed. The Rosehip heals inflamed skin while Omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9 protect your skin from further environmental stress. Apply as a protective barrier layer when your skin is at its most sensitive.