These days we are all seeking to look our best and to get the best out of life. Luckily we have the cosmetics industry on our side, constantly searching for active products and innovative ingredients.

Thanks to a recent study performed by Boots, we know that products applied to the skin will penetrate and have a measurable effect on the appearance of the skin. No longer do we use creams, we use cosmeceuticals. Any rejuvenation programme should include a basic skin care routine in order to maximise results.

A cleanser removes dead skin cells, cell debris and waste products. It also removes dust, dirt, pollution and bacteria that have settled there during the day. A correctly formulated cleanser also improves the absorption of the day or night cream, maximising the results.

Day creams should contain ingredients to combat free radicals associated with sunlight, pollution and general activity (all aerobic activity generates free radicals). Vitamins such as C, E and A are powerful free-radical scavengers; vitamin C also helps in collagen formation. Other plant-based ingredients such as camomile, bisabolol, pycnogenol soothe the skin and are particularly useful after peeling or injections.

Night creams should take advantage of the fact that this is the time where the skin sheds, repairs and replenishes itself. Ingredients such as glycolic acid, retinol and its derivatives assist in this process.

Other ingredients can be chosen for their specific effects; depigmenting, healing, soothing, drying and antibacterial.

Weekly exfoliation and cleansing ingredients are mostly based on glycolic acid and regular use will achieve similar results to peeling. We stock 10, 15 and 25% glycolic acid masks for home use.

Sun protection is essential, although we never apply enough. The SPF system is a logarithmic scale, so applying half of a factor 15 means in fact that you may only be getting SPF 2 or 3 as protection, leading you into a false sense of security. It is for this reason that most medical sun protection systems now contain high SPF values. By applying a scant layer of SPF 40 you may just achieve perfect protection!!

We stock several brands of cosmeceuticals designed to suit all skin types.