A Skin Care Master Class

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.

 

1. 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.”

 

2. 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.”

3. 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.”

 

4. 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.”

 

5. 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.”

 

6. 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.”

 

7. 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 13^th.