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
clara
February 9, 2015 at 3:16 pmI use this easy DIY body scrub to fight cellulite and make my skin soft and nourished: I mix coffee grounds with a little shower gel and massage it onto my skin before taking a shower. It’s a little messy afterwards but the result is instant and the ingredients are always hand on. For coffee lovers: it might be better not to do it before going to bed because it might have an effect on your beauty sleep. 🙂
Christine Christensen
February 9, 2015 at 3:03 pmUse a little anti aging product on the backs of your hands after doing your face. Helps your hands look young. Also, lip balm all the time!
Mirjana
February 9, 2015 at 2:43 pmAlways wear spf 🙂
Maria Ploumi
February 9, 2015 at 2:36 pmDrinking 3liters water every day!!
Wendy
February 9, 2015 at 2:32 pmDrinking plenty of water and moisturize, moisturize and moisturize with SPF all year, not just in the summer!
Lucia
February 9, 2015 at 2:30 pmExfoliate exfoliate exfoliate! Be mindful of your cleansers they are just as important as your moisturizer. If you aren’t moisturizing, hello?
Leslie Montoya
February 9, 2015 at 2:29 pmMy best skin care tip, besides wash gently (do not tug or pull on the skin, especially around delicate areas like eyes, lips and neck) with warm (never hot, hot water is drying and does more harm than good), rinse and pat dry. Apply moisturizer gently, to lightly dampened skin (immediately after washing is best!) for better absorption and easier application (remember, a little goes along way, no need to cake on the moisturizer.) Choose a moisturizer with SPF for day and collagen or Retin-A/Hyaluronic acid for needed repair/treatment while your sleep and skin can breathe free of make-up. One of the most important things is to be aware of the things you put on your skin. Watch for signs of expiration or deterioration of products, keep brushes/sponges and poufs clean and free of debris and build up, and if you hesitate of whether something is “still good” err on the side of caution, pitch it and go get your self something fabulous!
Rebecca Hawkins
February 9, 2015 at 2:26 pmWater and a healthy diet
Malika R.
February 9, 2015 at 2:23 pmMoisturize face, hands and feet! Elbows and knees as well since they’re often dry.
Angela Luong
February 9, 2015 at 2:20 pmTake care of your skin, and everything that is applied on it will look flawless! Staying hydrated is key – water with lemon, green tea, and lots of moisturizing and sunscreen!!
Beth Eaton
February 9, 2015 at 2:10 pmAny emollient will not only temporarily plump up fine lines, but also prevent skin aging, even cheap ones!
Karen rice
February 9, 2015 at 2:00 pmeat right , take make up off , vit d , water ,cleanse and moisture 🙂
Eva Bakkum
February 9, 2015 at 2:00 pmBesides drinking lots of water, always taking your make-up off and wearing sunscreen, an unconventional tip that’s working wonders for my skin is using coconut body butter as a facial moisturiser.
It might not be made for the face, but the ticker buttery consistency leaves my skin feeling plump and glowing 🙂
Tiffany Dover
February 9, 2015 at 1:53 pmDrink lots of water, wash your face in the morning and night, try to wear makeup as little as possible!
Suraya R.
February 9, 2015 at 1:53 pmcleansing, toning and moisturizing!
Melissa Stephens
February 9, 2015 at 1:49 pmThese are soo pretty! My rules are always take off your makeup even if your so tired get it off, Use Mostirizer with SPF all year I mix a little into my foundation if It’s not in it already, and always use products made for your skin type and age.
hanane
February 9, 2015 at 1:36 pmth
hanane
February 9, 2015 at 1:36 pmth
April
February 9, 2015 at 1:16 pmI always remove my makeup every single night…never go to bed with it on. Also, I apply SPF30 suncreen to my face under my foundation to protect my skin from harmful rays of the sun.
Neha Sultan
February 9, 2015 at 1:15 pmDrink lots of water daily, Use SPF moisturizer daily to protect from UV rays and use face scrub every week to remove dead cells and get cleaner fresher look.
marie riemer
February 9, 2015 at 1:12 pmAlways drink lots of water (6-8 glasses per day), wash your face morning & night, then moisturize. Add sunscreen during the day & a protective lip balm.
Talkerblogger
February 9, 2015 at 1:06 pmDrink plenty of water and eat good food
amy s
February 9, 2015 at 1:03 pmlayer skin care products like serum, moisturizer and oil on damp skin, it’s better absorbed.
Dana Morin
February 9, 2015 at 12:57 pmIt’s important to wash your makeup off every night, never sleep with it. Massage the skin and moisturize daily. And don’t forget the SPF!
gilly nash
February 9, 2015 at 12:52 pmWear spf moisturizer and foundation!!! Protection from the Suns harmfuleffects is imperative to great young looking skin long term x
Dave Lackie
February 9, 2015 at 12:52 pmthat is the most important advice Gilly!!! Great tip. Thanks