A Skin Care Master Class
When beauty editors in France begin researching skin care feature stories, the first person they turn to is Caroline Debbasch. As Scientific Communication Director for French beauty brand Clarins, she spends a good part of her week in the company’s laboratories working side-by-side dozens of researchers and chemists. It is her job to understand the latest discoveries, breakthroughs and advances in cosmetic formulas.
Debbasch comes with impressive credentials. A Doctor of Pharmacy with a DEA in Toxicology and a University Doctorate in Ophthalmic Toxicology, Caroline made the transition from Research and Development expert to communication professional. It is her job to translate complex scientific terminology in to everyday French and English. She is so skilled at doing this that journalists around the world trust her explanations and opinions in all skincare matters.
Here, she offers a master class in the latest skin care trends and tips on how to make your products work harder for you.
- 50+ skin care knowledge
“There is real headway being made by scientists in understanding how skin changes and reacts for women 50+ going through menopause,” she says. “We know that estrogen decreases up to 50 percent during this period and that hormones play a much bigger role in skin health than first thought. We’ve identified a new plant active that is particularly healing and replenishing. It helps increase collagen production without the side effects of retinol.”
- The effects of pollution
“Researchers are spending more time studying how pollution affects skin. And what they have discovered is that pollution sticks to skin. I then reacts with the hydro-lipidic barrier making it less efficient. It can lead to irritated, sensitive skin. And skin cells can be slower to renew. Most threatening is that pollution an oxidize on skin causing it to age faster. We’re learning that thorough, gentle cleansing daily is essential to keeping skin healthy.”
- Massaging your skin does work
“Gently massaging your skin daily, especially for women 50+, does work. It stimulates microcirculation in skin and helps products to absorb efficiently into the epidermis. It is best to use cooler water. I don’t recommend using hot water when washing your face.”
- Daily UV protection
“I’ve spend much of my career working in sun care research so this is a topic close to my heart. It is essential to wear a UVA/UVB product daily, year round. It’s not just a summer concern. Sun damage shows up on most people in their 40s as dark spots. You’ll even find signs of aging and spots on your hands appearing during this decade.”
- Remove your makeup
“Leaving your makeup on overnight isn’t just uncomfortable to skin. It can oxidize on your skin which in turn can age your skin faster. You’ll look younger, longer if you carefully remove makeup each night.”
- Serum Know-how
“There are a lot of misconceptions of how to use serums. Most women don’t know that you need to use a cream after using a serum. Always apply your serum on damp, cleanser skin. It will improve its efficacy.”
- Lip care
“Most men and women neglect their lips – especially in winter. The lip area is the only skin that doesn’t have oil glands. This means it is susceptible to drying out quickly. It is important to protect them with a nourishing balm and to use one with SPF in summer.”
Tell us the best skincare tip you’ve ever learned and you could win a collection of Clarins’ remarkable new Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors. Just leave a comment below. We’ll draw from all entries on Friday, February 13th.
371 Comments
auravie anti aging serum
April 22, 2015 at 9:54 pmWow! At last I got a blog from where I know how to really get useful information concerning my study and knowledge.
Hara
February 26, 2015 at 3:58 pm3 Steps : Good cleansing, moisturizing , good sleep and you will have a bright and beautiful face !
Rhonda
February 25, 2015 at 3:49 pmExfoliate your skin with gentle products ONLY once every 2 weeks. Use a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil and baking soda to exfoliate.
Jasmine
February 25, 2015 at 11:10 amDon’t go with the harsh, abrasive products and always apply moisturiser to a damp face – it keeps dry skin at bay and makes foundation etc. last longer!
Katie Howie
February 25, 2015 at 7:55 amBeauty comes from within, so sip warm water with a slice of lemon to keep your skin radiant and glowing from the inside. x
Shelley Habinski
February 25, 2015 at 7:44 amThis set looks like candy for adults ! The best trip to the candy store ever !
Kristi C. (@lov2read68)
February 25, 2015 at 12:08 amSkincare shouldn’t stop at your chin. Make sure you apply skincare and SPF during the day down to your chest and the backs of your hands. Don’t forget to include the back of your neck when applying skincare. Especially if you have short hair or wear your hair up, people can see if you’re taking care of the back of your neck or not.
Mielolin
February 24, 2015 at 5:42 pmWomen need to remember to apply moisturizing cream to their décolletage area both in the morning and at night.
Gerri Tennant
February 24, 2015 at 6:02 amRead a good blog and follow the advice that way you are always getting up to date information and the best product tips.
Donna Bishop
February 23, 2015 at 6:29 pmAlways take off makeup at night and apply moisturizing lotion to face, neck, and lips.
Crystal K
February 23, 2015 at 3:21 pmI swear by a good cream with SPF-that’s an absolute must.You have to protect your skin from the sun-even on cloudy or rainy days.
That’s my top one,other then that-moisturizer is your friend,and be careful to include your neck,decolletage(hope I spelled that right (: ),and your undereyes-very gently and wth your ring finger.Never sleep in makeup.Exfoliate at least 2x a week.
But still,my number one tip is a good moisturizer with a SPF of 30 or higher.
Im very into skincare,and these tip(s) haven’t failed me yet.
Thanks Dave!Nice giveaway,love the Lip Perfector colors…I bet you picked them!
xx
Cheryl
February 23, 2015 at 6:36 pmOMG! I could have written this word for word myself! Absolutely everything you wrote is everything I do! There is only one thing that I would Do and that is stay out of the sun. My mother died from Melanoma Cancer and I am so fair skinned, that even when (and I ALWAYS, no matter what) use sunscreen. But, I always try to stay out of the sun and not only do I use sunscreen, I always wear some kind of hat to cover my face! I Went to Florida when I was 11 and was on the overcast beach for 15 & I mean 15 minutes & I ended up not only sunburnt, but had blisters that my aunt had to put me in a extremely cold bath. I Had such a high fever, I thought I was going to die. That is the only one thing that I would change on your comment. But everything else is exactly how I would have written MY comment. Kudos to you!
Dave Lackie
February 23, 2015 at 7:20 pmThanks so much Cheryl. Loved reading your comments.
Lynn M.
February 23, 2015 at 1:16 pmI never go to bed without cleansing my face and then moisturizing. And I wear SPF come rain or shine 🙂
Lin
February 22, 2015 at 11:44 pmI always take my make up off at night before washing my face with my Clarisonic and putting moisturizer. Face mask weekly.
Charli Randolph
February 22, 2015 at 9:58 pmcoconut oil as a moisturizer after using face washes that can be drying