Beauty Editors Blog

Psssst! New beauty find alert

Hi there folks – Kirsty here! I'm just stepping in for a spot of guest blogging whilst Katie is on holiday, and I thought I'd use my first blog post to share a little beauty discovery with you...

Everyone's skin can get a little sensitive from time to time, especially with all the harsh weather around at the minute, and sometimes it can be hard to know which products to use for the best. I know from experience that when my skin's upset, even skincare formulated for sensitive types can irritate it. But I think I might have found the answer... and it comes in the form of a baby product from green skin and body range Weleda.

It wouldn't be the first time that the rest of us have reaped the benefits of a product originally designed for babies (think Johnson's baby lotion – adored by celebs including Gwen Stefani and Jamelia) and something tells me Weleda's Baby Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash could be set to follow the same path.

With extract of Calendula flower to soothe the skin and scalp, it's aimed at soothing baby's delicate skin, but I think this bestseller might be just the thing for my battered-by-the-elements skin. Plus, rumour has it Demi Moore is a fan of the Weleda baby range – and if it's good enough for her then I can't wait to try it out!

Kirsty x

P.S Don't just take my word for it – Weleda recently won Best Skincare Range at the Mother & Baby Awards.

Which to use? It's all about the anti-ageing products

As a beauty editor, you often run out of face space to test things. I'm not joking! Any skincare expert will tell you that it takes at the very minimum a month (and more like three) to see any kind of 'results'. So chopping and changing whenever an exciting new product arrives, although tempting, isn't conducive to results. Currently I'm torn between the following products, all which promise great things:

1) Estee Lauder Time Zone Anti-Line/Wrinkle Eye Creme – launching later this month
I've actually started using this eye cream already. Designed specifically to target lines and wrinkles around the eyes – my personal ageing bugbear – the texture's creamy and it's definitely hydrating. It's too early to determine what effect it will have on my crow's feet, however. Fingers crossed for good results though.

2) Christian Dior Essential One Serum
This baby only launched recently and is said to 'reactivate cell regeneration' by eliminating skin toxins. Suitable for women of all ages, it 'increases the skin's ability to repair itself in order to combat all signs of skin ageing.' As it's a serum I'm particularly keen to try this, as cream formulations are often too heavy for my skin.

3) Sculptinex
Available now, this is the new 'lifting' cream from Good Skin Labs (the makers of Tri-Aktiline), so it has a great pedigree. It's high in antioxidants and is said to provide a visible lifting effect.

So, I've got my eye cream sorted (thank you Estee Lauder). That just leaves a decision between Dior's Essential One Serum and Sculptinex. Tricky. Although, whichever I choose, they'll be one going begging so someone is going to be a very lucky guinea pig! Look out for my reviews in a month or so.

You asked: sensitive skin plus blackheads

Hi there,
Looking for some advice on skincare in preparation for my wedding next year.
Can you recommend a sensitive skincare range that is still effective? I also have bad blackheads on my nose. Is there anything you can recommend for these – I have tried Biore before but to no avail.
Natalie.

Hi Natalie. You're in luck – there are some great (read: effective) ranges for sensitive skin. In particular, I'd recommend La Roche Posay, Vichy and Avene – brands that take product effectiveness very seriously and offer targeted solutions for sensitive skin. Many large Boots stores now offer a free skincare advisor service, where their consultants are available to chat through your skin's needs – if you have one nearby, I'd pop in; they'll be able to chat to you more about your sensitivity and determine what products would suit you best from these brands.

Closer to home, Simple appears to do what it promises – I've not tried the skincare range myself (although I am a HUGE fan of the eye make-up remover), but I've heard good things.

In terms of blackheads, as your skin is sensitive, I'm reluctant to suggest anything containing AHAs or salicylic acid (which can often help clear dead skin cell build up and prevent blocked pores) in case it aggravates your skin, so would suggest that if you can visit the Boots in-store skincare advisers, they'd be better equipped to judge what you should and shouldn't avoid, following a skin analysis. Otherwise, professional extractions may help you get on top of the problem.