FAQS

Question: Can you advise the best products for Rosacea?  My husband suffers from it and do not seem to be able to find a product that doesn't make his face flare up.

Rosacea is manageable. Avoiding trigger factors (for example foods, drinks and exercise which dramatically increase blood flow) is critical, as a Rosacea attack begins in the same way skin sensitisation does.

Try the Environmental Control range from Dermalogica; a good start is the SKIN CARE BASICS - SENSITIZED SKIN KIT that has small sizes of the Environmental Control range in a handy and inexpensive kit.

There are also an increasing number of prescription medications recommended by your dermatologist that can halt the progression of this disorder.

Also try avoiding products, which contain Mineral Oil, Lanolin, any type of alcohol and Fragrance, as all these ingredients can contribute to making the condition worse.

Question: My son is nearly 13yrs old and has very bad blackheads around his nose. Also, in the last few months he has started to get some pimples. I wondered if he could use the Ultraceuticals range. A   Department Store consultant told me the range was too active for his skin. Any advice?

It is hard to define exactly what age someone should start using skincare, but I think that once someone has reached puberty and their hormones start to wreak havoc with their skin, a simple skincare regime can be implemented safely and should have very effective results. A major factor is your son’s willingness to stick to a regime, even if it is just cleansing everyday and exfoliating regularly - if he's motivated then go for it!

As for using Ultraceuticals, some of their products are very active, in that the concentrations and types of ingredients they use can really make changes to the skin, but used correctly and appropriately, are safe for most people. 'Ultra-Clear Oily and Acne Prone Skin Gel' would be a great start, applied over the affected areas at night.

Something less active good for your son would be Dermalogica Medicated Clearing Gel - an overnight medicated treatment to help clear skin and prevent blemishes by sloughing off dead skin cells and reducing sebum that clogs follicles leading to breakouts. It's soothing and anti-inflammatory and is also a preventative treatment. He can use this at night; on the areas he has breakouts and congestion.

Using a cleanser after school and sport can help reduce the build up of bacteria and help keep his skin clear - try Dermalogica Anti Bac Skin Wash, which he can use in the shower. It's amazing the difference just using a cleanser can make to the clarity of the skin.

Question:  I am 25yrs old and looking for an eye cream but don't know where to start. I have sensitive and very small acne prone skin problem and wanted something to moisture and help dark circles and wrinkles. I always cleanse am and pm and only use my exfoliator 1 a week and I only wear the foundation under my eyes (unless special occasion and use all over with loose powder). I was wondering if you could help me out as I have looked at many products and have no idea, which one is better? Would you know the best selling eye cream around or what do you think is best for me?

A great eye product for you would be Dermalogica Total Eye Care - it is a technically advanced eye treatment to help protect and repair the eye area. It contains gentle Alpha Hydroxy Acids to smooth and clear the area of congestion and it also has firming ingredients to help smooth fine lines. It has optical light diffusors to diminish dark circles and a chemical free sunscreen to prevent further damage.

Question: I find the more I wash my face the more oily it gets. I don’t have acne or blemishes just get very oily on forehead and cheeks. It is much worse at night. Have tried switching products but no change. Is there anything you can recommend?

Our hormones regulate oil flow, so there's not much you can do to reduce your oil flow, but there are some products out there to help you manage it.   First off, using an astringent cleanser, meaning one which will strip your skin of it's oil leaving it 'squeaky clean' is not actually a good thing, because your skin will 'panic' and secrete more sebum (oil) to compensate and protect itself (your skin needs oil). So if the cleanser you are using is leaving you skin tight, or squeaky, it's time to change because it's doing you no good. Try Special Cleansing Gel from Dermalogica - It will give your skin a thorough cleanse without stripping it and it's easy to use, even in the shower. Also, because it is water soluble, you won't need a toner afterwards.   For hydration, try Oil Control Lotion from Dermalogica. It's a really lightweight yet effective moisturiser which absorbes excess oil and also has 1% Salicylic Acid - this is good because over time, it will keep your skin soft and congestion free. Use this through the day, with a good quality 30+ Sunscreen, like Ultraceuticals Protective Daily Moisturiser, and try not even using any moisturiser at night. This will help your skin maintain its own equilibrium.

Question: Hi! I’ve been using the Skinceutical range, which I bought from you recently and just finished and I quite liked the products and just wanted to ask more advice about the new Retinol products.

If you've never used a Retinol Product before, we recommend you start with Retinol 0.5. This is because such a high concentration of Retinol is very active and will actually make your skin peel initially as this is part of the process your skin goes through as it adjusts to being treated with Retinol. Using a lower concentration to start with helps your skin make the transition.

Retinol 1.0 contains 1% pure retinol, the highest concentration currently available, and should be used for advanced treatment of pre-conditioned skin  (This means starting with the 0.5).    Designed for maximum efficacy and stability, SkinCeuticals Retinol is formulated with highest concentrations of pure retinol available and enhanced with the latest stabilization and delivery technologies. Our retinol products help stimulate cell regeneration and build collagen to diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots from both photo- and intrinsic- ageing. Additionally, they help minimise the appearance of pore size, while correcting blemishes and blotchiness often associated with problematic skin.    All retinol products should be used only at night as they may increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun. That said, appropriate daytime sun protection should always be used, including a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SkinCeuticals Daily Sun Defense SPF 20), and a topical antioxidant (SkinCeuticals C+E).  Retinol should not be used if pregnant, trying to become pregnant or lactating.

As you can see, this is a very effective product, but needs to be used with care!

Question: I wondered if you had anything that I could try to clear up my acne scarring. I am willing to invest anything to try and get rid or these scars without surgery.

I'll give you the bad news first - depending on how deep your scarring is, there are no topical products you can use to completely get rid of it. Even with the strongest home exfoliants, the best you might do is reduce the scarring and soften the skin - so for that reason, moisturising is also great.   So here's the good news - again, depending on the depth of the scaring you might get fantastic results with a series of peels. (Which we do here in the Skin Therapy Centre in North Sydney). If any non-surgical technique could do something for you, it would be this. I don't recommend any form of dermabrasion; the negatives far outweigh the positives. Dermal fillers are fantastic for filling deep acne scars however this is classed as a surgical procedure.

We wouldn't recommend just having any peel, because there are so many different types on the market with different factors including acid/s used, the pH, the concentration, application. The best thing to do would be to call us on 02 9922 7350 to arrange a free consultation.

Question: I want to switch to Ultraceuticals.  Could you recommend products for dehydration and also anti-ageing.

Ok, with Ultraceuticals a fantastic moisturiser for dehydration is the Ultra Moisturiser Cream - superior hydration and it has a great price.  For anti ageing, you could try the Ultra C 23% Treatment Cream, this cream is actually proven to synthesise new collagen (the fibre which keeps your skin youthful) and it also does many other things such as protect against the effects of UV light and it's a powerful antioxidant. The best thing about this product is that it actually does what it claims it does, which makes it a steal. It was even on Today Tonight recently. Question:  curious about the Ultraceuticals range in comparison to the Skinceuticals.

Ultraceuticals and SkinCeuticals are very similar however also very different!   They both recognise the benefits of Ultra high sun protection, retinol (pure Vitamin A) and high concentrations of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and so they have developed products to deliver those benefits. They are treatment ranges, something you would use to get results as quickly as possible.    The way they differ, apart from their actual product range and formulations, Ultraceuticals is Australian and SkinCeuticals is American.

 Question: what would be the best product for me to use I have very dry skin and can not find a product that makes my skin feel great most products are ok for about a week then my face starts to feel dry and sore, my skin looks dehydrated   I am at my wits end I just want a product to work for me.

Sounds like you have a very sensitive skin. I know exactly how you feel going from product to product and it can be very frustrating! So my advice to you is avoid anything with a fragrance, lanolin, mineral oil or any similar ingredient - not only are they irritating, sensitising but they can also be comedogenic (this explains why you get those little red bumps).   I think I can recommend you a moisturiser, which will finally help you - Ultra Moisturiser Cream from Ultraceuticals. Not only is it fragrance free and free from comedogenic ingredients, it is the most beautiful product to use.

Question: Hi there, I'm hoping you can suggest a few products for me. I'm a 23 year old male, and have fairly normal skin - except the skin around my nose (below nostrils and side of nose) is always slight red and oily - I have also notice I sometimes get tiny white pimples there too. It's barely noticeable but is looking for some products to reduce this even more so. As my skin is normal, would using say a cleaner/moisturiser for oily skin be a bad idea as the only oily part of my skin is around my nose? Currently I use Aramas Lab Series Face wash and moisturiser - not very regularly though. One other question, to be even more annoying - I am a bit put off most skin care products as I need to have a degree in chemistry to understand what is in the ingredients. There are some natural alternatives without as many chemicals - but should the chemicals found in most major skin care products be a worry to me? Hope you can help with that question too!  :)    

Some great questions. To help get rid of your pimples, you need to exfoliate. Not with a scrub, your skin already sounds sensitised around your nose so that will just make it worse. Something with Salicylic Acid will do the trick (it's the only ingredient which can actually get down into your pores to remove congestion). Salicylic Acid is also anti inflammatory so it could help to calm down that redness, though your redness could be caused by broken capillaries, in which case it wouldn't do anything about the redness. Try Dermalogica Medicated Clearing Gel, MD formulations Clearing Complex, or Ultraceuticals Antioxidant Serum. For a cleanser try Special Cleansing Gel from Dermalogica. A fantastic, easy to use, water soluable cleanser for all skin types - perfect for you. For a moisturiser try Skin-smoothing cream from Dermalogica – this will provide you with great hydration but at the same time does not feel heavy. Yes you're quite right, these days you basically need a chemistry degree! But there are some simple rules to follow when shopping for product – just like food. Avoid anything with colour and fragrance, avoid lanolin, and avoid things with mica or talc. Everything I've recommended for you is free from anything that could be bad for your skin.

I have recently switched to using dermalogica skin care and clinique makeup as a result of my dry sensitive skin. In the last 3 weeks I have seemed to develop more pimples than I ever had as a teenager, and I am only 27. Is this likely to be a result of the rich dermalogica moisturiser, or the clinique foundation. I have temporarily stopped using both. Many thanks

Chances are it's the foundation causing the problem, that's the nature of the type of product it is. Also the pigments in the foundation could be comedogenic (pore blocking) - this would explain your breaking out.

It is unlikely, though not impossible that the Dermalogica moisturiser would cause your breakouts, as there isn't anything comedogenic in it.

So keep clear of the make up, jump back on the Dermalogica and see how you go.

Then again, 'Adult Acne' is very common these days and your breakout could be related to that. It could even be hormonal or stress, though chances are it's the makeup.

Question: I will try to become pregnant. With my 1st, I was told few products are not good for the baby. What cosmetics / skin care that allowed?

I haven't done facials since I was pregnant with my first. Is it necessary to do regular facial?

Thank you

When pregnant or trying to become pregnant, you should avoid products with Vitamin A, particularly Retinol, Alpha hydroxy acids, e.g. Glycolic acid, Lactic acid or 'fruit acids' and also avoid all essential oils. Some people will tell you some essential oils are ok, but I think it's better to be safe than sorry.

Having regular facials helps keep your skin in top condition, so if that is a priority for you, then yes, regular facials can be necessary.

Due to over-exposure to the sun at an early age I'm not happy with my skin in general (I'm 21 now) Do you suggest IPL to help improve the condition of my skin with the products I'm now using?  As with all medical procedures it is best to seek the advice of a professional; i.e. a Dermatologist who can advise you on the best course of action for you to take.

Question: I need something to help draw out impurities when area is red and inflamed but has no visible head.

It is best to leave an inflamed legion un-touched to prevent infection or further inflammation. I would suggest the use of a product with Salicylic acid to exfoliate the area and also reduce inflammation. You could try Antioxidant Serum from Ultraceuticals, Medicated Clearing Gel from Dermalogica or Vit-A-Plus Clearing Complex from m.d. Formulations.

Question: I have some tiny scars on my face as a result of acnes for I have ongoing acnes on my forehead and chin.  Could you recommend some products for minimizing the scars?

That's a tough question because it depends on the depth of the scars. If they are extremely shallow, products and chemical peels could have an effect. Otherwise if they are deep, you may want to consider 'dermal fillers'.

I would have to see you skin to give a definite answer, if you would like to make an appointment, please call 02 9922 7350.

Question: Why does my skin seem to go into meltdown about once a year?  It gets itchy then all peels and flakes off.  I am not able to use any skin care products until it gets better [about 10-14 days], only a 1% cortisone cream.  Seems to occur in winter not summer, my skin seems better balanced in summer

There are many reasons this may happen, including an allergic reaction to the products you are using (an allergic reaction may take months to develop), an increase in stress, a change in diet, hormonal changes, medication you may be taking and environmental influences are just a few reasons why your skin may 'melt down'.

It's hard to come to a definitive answer via email for you, however if you need help managing your skin, please see me for an appointment, for which you can call 02 9922 7350.

If your have questions, please ask our expert.