Skincare

Rich vs light moisturiser: which texture dry skin needs and when

Rich vs light moisturiser is rarely a true either-or decision for dry skin. A light moisturiser mainly binds water, while a rich cream puts more lipids...

Cold weather face cream: when you need one and when your usual moisturiser is enough

You only need a cold weather face cream if you spend several hours outdoors in sub-zero temperatures, biting wind or the rush of air from your...

Face cream stinging: harmless tingle or a sign it doesn’t suit you?

When your moisturiser or face cream stings, that is a signal, not proof that it is working. A slight tingle that fades after a short while...

Moisturiser for dry skin: what to look for and what you can skip

Which moisturiser suits dry skin comes down to its formula, not the word ‘rich’ on the tube. A good moisturiser for dry skin combines humectants such...

Skincare gift ideas for women over 50: how to choose a set that actually gets used

A good skincare gift for a woman over 50 is fragrance-free, full-size skincare that replaces a step she already takes rather than adding a new one....

Dry patches on your face: where they come from, when it isn’t dryness and what helps

Dry patches on your face are usually local weak spots in the skin barrier: wherever friction, cold, hot water or an overly strong active ingredient hit...

Breakouts in your 40s: why spots come back and which moisturiser suits mature, blemish-prone skin

Breakouts in your 40s are not a blip – they are common. In a survey published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, around...

Do you need a night cream, or is one cream for day and night enough?

In most cases, you do not need a night cream. What matters is that you look after your skin in the evening at all, not that...

AHA peel: what it does, what it costs and when you can skip it

An AHA peel, also known as a fruit acid peel, uses alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid to loosen the bonds between the uppermost skin...

Cream for dark spots: five things to check before you buy

A cream for dark spots is worth buying if it passes five checks: an evidence-backed active ingredient such as niacinamide or vitamin C, an openly stated...

Spots under the skin: what causes them and what actually helps

Dark spots on the face: what skincare can soften and what it can’t

Dark spots on the face develop when melanocytes permanently release too much pigment into the epidermis after UV exposure, inflammation or hormonal triggers. Skincare can soften...