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
September Dee
February 9, 2015 at 12:45 pmA good cleanser followed by serums and moisturizer. Primer where necessary. Without a good base, nothing looks good.
Stephanie O
February 9, 2015 at 12:39 pmI think that you have to be able to use products aimed for different areas in your skin. Very few people just have skin that is simply “dry” etc so you have to take care that you use products on the different areas with different needs
Emily Victoria
February 9, 2015 at 12:33 pmFirst of all Water. It is the bodies natural moisturiser. Evening; Remove all make up. Cleanse & Tone but do not use water (drying) and I have never used a moisturiser in the evening because I once read your skin gets used to moisturiser being used. Morning Exfoliate and Mosturise. My skin is amazing and at 37 the wrinkles have yet to make an appearance.
Karen Ali
February 9, 2015 at 12:27 pmI always spray my face with Avene/Vichy water in the morning, then wipe off with sheishedo cloths. Tap water never touches my face. #best tip never use tap water on your face, very damaging.
Dave Lackie
February 9, 2015 at 5:08 pmThat is very smart Karen. Those thermal spring waters are packed with minerals. Very soothing to skin
Liz
February 9, 2015 at 12:22 pmUsing French mineral water atomizers like LRP, Avene, Vichy and Evian to set my serums before using moisturizer. Helps boost moisture by sealing it in. As far as tools go, I can’t live without my Luna – so much better for sensitive skin than the Clarisonic.
Helene Decoste
February 9, 2015 at 12:22 pmDrink plenty of water, use a good moisturizer, sunscreen SPF30, remove your make-up at night, get a good night sleep, eat a healthy diet, don’t smoke, try not to frown. Live well, be happy.
Veronica
February 9, 2015 at 12:17 pmIt is very important to understand what skin type you have and use the products created especially for you! Beauty comes from inside also, + a little bit of makeup.
Jolene
February 9, 2015 at 12:10 pmI have two tips that apply to all skin concerns but definitely to acne prone skin. Cleanse twice a day with the most gentle cleanser you can find. You don’t need a harsh stripping cleanser to clean your face. That tight feeling is not cleanliness it’s skin stripped of all its natural oils. If you strip all your natural moisture then that leads to excess oil production and acne. Second alway, alway moisturize no matter how oily your skin it still needs moisturize. So find one that works for you and use it religiously.
Jolene
February 9, 2015 at 12:12 pmRemember to have an SPF in your moisturize you don’t want sun damage and wrinkles.
Keran
February 9, 2015 at 12:08 pmBe happy!!! Get rid of negativity and toxins and replenish your mind with postivity!
Alreza Tam
February 9, 2015 at 12:06 pmwater, water everywhere is my secret
Angela Mitchell
February 9, 2015 at 12:06 pmIt’s important to wash off your makeup every night but I’ve found that it’s also important to not wash your face too often either or with harsh products. My skin dries out if I wash it more than once or twice a day.
CL Chin
February 9, 2015 at 12:06 pmUse a moisturizer with SPF all year round.
Gia
February 9, 2015 at 12:02 pmMoisturizer with SPF every day is essential, and staying hydrated!
Ellie Fox
February 9, 2015 at 11:56 amMy all time fave skincare tip is a really simple one, but not many people know it!
Warm water will relax and open your pores whereas cold water will close them up.
This is super important when applying cleansers, if you wash your face with warm water, apply your cleansers and then splash with cold water it will seal in the moisture and prevent your pores building up dirt and grease!
Heather Sibley
February 9, 2015 at 11:53 amDaily UV protection is so important. I always wear a BB cream with SPF.
Trisha
February 9, 2015 at 11:52 amWash your face 2-3 times a day, moisturizer & ALWAYS use sunscreen SPF 30
Jane Dixon
February 9, 2015 at 11:51 am1. Moisturize morning and night – and don’t forget sunscreen in your daytime moisturizer.
2. Remove make-up at the end of the day – no matter how tired you are NEVER go to sleep with make-up on.
3. Drink water throughout the day and eat as cleanly as possible!
Toby
February 9, 2015 at 11:51 amKinda like the 4 R’s of recycling …follow this skincare regimen…Cleanse, Tone, Exfoliate, Moisturize! 🙂
mongupp
February 9, 2015 at 11:49 amMoisturise with a good quality cream.
Sarah Lian
February 9, 2015 at 11:47 amExfoliate the skin every night before bed and moisturise every morning and night! Xxxxx
Elena T
February 9, 2015 at 11:45 amMoisturize! No matter of the season you skin needs it! Either you drink a lot of water, either you use an oil to massage your skin, moisturizing is the best thing ever!
Victoria Ess
February 9, 2015 at 11:43 amDrink lots of water and exercise for the best skin!
Jennifer Pellicone
February 9, 2015 at 11:39 amMy skin care tip…start moisturizing your skin while you are on the young side. It will be much healthier years later when others the same age start to see negative changes in their skin.
Dave Lackie
February 9, 2015 at 12:52 pmthat is such wise advice. I truly believe works!!
Anita Steenkamp
February 9, 2015 at 11:37 amI believe in water! Loads and loads of water and don’t smoke neither good for the body or your skin!
Erinn Lishman
February 9, 2015 at 11:36 amto stay hydrated and keep my face moisturized with a light facial cream!