SKIN BY CATHY

I’ll save you the suspense. There is no single product that cures all, for all people. Although we’re built from the same blueprint, the decorating is purely unique. And despite science becoming increasingly sophisticated and awe-inspiring—who would have thought a 3d printer could produce a new heart valve or we could replace defective strands of DNA to cure disease—we haven’t yet figured out how to stop time. Sorry wrinkles, but we still must fight you with relentless vigour, using our very best weapons.

Beauty boosters are making a strong entrance—it's the ability to customise and supercharge your skincare with a few drops that has everyone oohing—and we agree they're good, especially during seasonal transitions. However, we suggest you save your money, don't overly complicate your skincare routine, use products you trust and stick to the basics. For us, it's serums by Obagi and iS Clinical.

Serums remain in the well-earned spotlight of weapons to fight time for good reason. Every beauty blogger touts the latest and greatest serum along with every skincare brand who promises they have the best anti-wrinkle, beautifying potion. Yet with popularity, there remains confusion. Why the fuss? Are serums necessary? Are they worth it?

The answers: They work. Yes. Yes.

Serums are beauty must-haves because they are highly-concentrated, lightweight and fast absorbing. Serums contain fewer thickening or lubricating agents than creams, which means the active ingredients penetrate the deep layers of your skin more effectively. Better yet, because these ingredients are more potent, they provide better results. A double win. Think of serums as a super boost and your fountain of youth beauty elixir.

Now that I have you singing the joys of serum, you only need to find the right serum for your skin. Don’t worry, I’ll help you.

Top four skin concerns:

Anti-ageing

Hydrating

Redness, sun spots and other skin discolouration

Acne

OBAGI

what to know

Founded in 1988, Obagi products are designed to help minimize the appearance of premature skin ageing, skin damage, hyperpigmentation, acne, and sun damage. Because of the high level of potent ingredients, Obagi products are only available through dermatologists, plastic surgeons, medical spas, and other skin care professionals. 

why we love

Put simply, we love Obagi because it works. We've seen the dramatic results through decades of experience with our clients and love the products so much, they're part of our beauty arsenal. Don't be deceived by the packaging, these pots are potent (so potent, in fact, you must see us in person to buy).

iS CLINICAL

what to know

IS Clinical is comprised of exceptional, long-term "results-oriented" anti-ageing and clinically proven formulations. By developing and utilising the most advanced research technology and cutting edge pharmaceutical grade botanical ingredients, INNOVATIVE SKINCARE® doctors and scientists meticulously design and create products that conclusively deliver rapid and safe, long-term positive results. They proudly aim to “dispel the myths” within the skincare industry, by disclosing and clinically validating all of the ingredients they use and offer clinically validated evidence compiled by industry and peer review panel experts to support the efficacy their formulations.

why we love

Their range of post-treatment serums are some of the best available in the market and without a doubt reduce healing time and boost results. It's difficult to play favourites when the entire range is superb, but here are a few we recommend to every client.

SERUM APPLICATION RULES

Wash your face. Think about it. You wouldn’t paint a cracked, peeling wall and expect it to look good.

Apply eye cream. The general rule is to apply products with the lightest formula and to the most sensitive areas first. By starting with your eyes, you ensure serum doesn’t travel to that delicate area.

Always apply serum on clean skin, before cream. Serum needs a clean canvas to sink in. 

With serum, a little goes a long way. A few drops are usually all that’s needed.

Gently pat serum into your skin, avoiding your eyes. Don’t pull or tug.

Allow the serum to fully absorb before applying cream (if cream is needed).

Apply cream (if needed) by gently patting into skin until absorbed.

ONLY THE BEST

PREVENTION AND CORRECTION

The entire purpose of skincare is prevention and correction. Skincare helps correct colour problems such as hyperpigmentation and rosacea, and corrects ageing problems such as wrinkles and dull complexion. Skincare helps prevent more discolouration and wrinkles by protecting against harmful UV rays, pollution and free radicals—all of which create and exacerbate the very problem you’re trying to correct. Skincare also encourages the production of new collagen, which is the glue that keeps your skin youthful, perky and upright (fighting the drag from gravity and daily life stresses). These ambitious cures are the hope of all skincare brands, which they all proudly tout as true, making it difficult to know which claims to trust.

The truth is, there are a lot of good skincare products available for every budget and every skin concern, but if you look closely, there are very few real differences. Some skincare brands focus more on botanticals, others on pure science; some combine the A, B, C vitamins into one cream, others offer them separately; some recommend a five-step nightly routine, others only two. These are matters more of distinction and brand positioning than measurable results or breakthroughs in the fight against time. And it is time we’re fighting.

Look deeper for the true differences in skincare. You’re right to think there must be true differences beyond price and where to buy.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

The biggest differences between drugstore and medical skincare, other than the packaging and celebrity endorsements, is the concentration of active ingredients. It’s the active ingredients—like retinol, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, ascorbic acid, ceramide, peptides, collagen and more—that are the powerhouses of skincare, the heavy-lifters and the real magic creators. As you would expect, these ingredients are not cheap, so the more included, the higher the price.

Also factor in research. Scientific breakthroughs are constant. We’re learning more and more about our brains, DNA, disease, what causes ageing and how to stop ageing through both internal and external forces. We’re also learning how to deliver medicine exactly where and when it’s needed in the body. The problem with most skincare—not to imply that skincare is medicine—is that it sits on top of the skin, never penetrating the deeper layers and therefore, never really changing the structure. Research has led to more potent ingredients, smaller molecules and better delivery systems, which mean better results for age-fighting beauty seekers. These advances require research to discover and then clinical trials to prove. All of that takes a lot of investment in time and money. This is pure science.

So we’re back to the original question: What’s the difference between drugstore and medical skincare? Is it worth it?

SKIN BY CATHY LOVES

What I can testify to, based on 10+ years as an aesthetic nurse prescriber and beauty expert, my personal experience and the thousands of clients I treat, is that the bump up from drugstore skincare to medical skincare is more than compelling, it’s dramatic. It’s like going from a paddling pool wearing floats to an Olympic-sized pool and jumping straight off the high-dive to win gold.  

The impressive results from medical skincare are due to high concentrations of active ingredients. At this level, concentrations are so high and the skincare is so potent that a professional must examine the person, assess their needs and only then, make recommendations. If used inappropriately (even excessively), adverse reactions can happen; if used as prescribed, results are transformational. Seriously.

While you can find some superb skincare at drugstores and department stores—think Estee Lauder, Kiehls, Boots no 7, Avène, La Roche-Posay and more—the vast majority simply aren’t potent enough to make a noticeable difference in your skin’s appearance or delay ageing. For dramatic results, follow the ingredients and head to medical-grade skincare.

If you know me or have read my blog before, you know my two skincare loves: Obagi and iS Clinical. For sunscreen, Heliocare remains my favourite. When I recommend skincare, it’s because I have tested it, my clients have tested it and I’ve seen enough beneficial evidence to pass my strict approval—trust me, I am stricter than the FDA and all EU regulatory bodies combined.

Explore my favourite skincare here, but know this page is only a teaser. For your perfect skincare prescription, you must contact me.

WHAT SKINCARE DO I TRULY NEED?

It’s a matter of personal choice (with one absolute).

For many people, washing their face at night is a relaxing ritual, the last cleanse of a stressful day and a signal of upcoming sleep. For those people, a double wash, exfoliation, toner, serum and cream is expected, if not demanded. Some people even extend this ritual into 14 steps.

For others, washing their face is just another to-do, a nuisance even and something that can wait until morning. If I suggested a four-step process to these people, they would resist and even run away. I’d protest loudly that washing your face at night is critical because that’s when your skin heals and is most receptive to a little boost. Get into better habits. If you’re in a rush or just can’t be bothered with multiple steps, then just wash and serum. Two steps. Two minutes. Easy.      

One of the many benefits of more potent skincare (that means medical-grade) is that you need less of it. A few drops of serum and a pea-sized amount of cream is more than sufficient. Your skin will also require fewer steps. Continue lengthy rituals if that is what you like, but your skin won’t demand excess because everything you’re giving your skin is exactly what it needs.

The one step you should never, ever miss: sunscreen. Apply SPF every morning (and top-up throughout the day). I’ll save you the lecture here and point you to a previous blog dispelling the myths about skin cancer and SPF. Protect your skin now before you invest a small fortune in corrective skincare and aesthetic treatments. Prevention is always better than correction!

Personally, I’m a wash and serum girl. That’s all my skin needs. I’ve been using Obagi 20% C-Serum and Obagi Gentle Cleanser for the last few years and my skin has never looked better. But that’s just me. People with dry skin may need a hydrating cream. People with sensitive skin may need thinner layers of serum and cream, applied over 30 minutes, or to alternate different serums and creams. Acne sufferers need to adjust their skincare if they’re experiencing a break-out. The point is: Look at your skin and learn when it needs hydration and when it needs cleansing. Also consider that your skin needs change with the seasons. Indoor heating or cooling, mixed with outdoor arctic cold or tropical heat create different skin stressors. The final point to remember: Everyone is different and one size never fits all.

POTENT POTS OF SCIENTIFIC MAGIC REVERSE SIGNS OF AGEING, BOOST RESULTS OF CLINICAL TREATMENTS AND MAKE YOU LOOK FABULOUS.

Our clients and devoted social followers always ask us for skincare advice. We understand that getting to Northern Ireland, Westminster or another clinic to ask in person is sometimes impossible, but you still want to know which brands to trust and what's worth an investment.

Our solution: Create a skincare page. Consider it more of a tutorial at this stage, but expect it to grow into a full archive and then an online shop over the coming months.*

Every beauty editor and blogger, along with every retailer, claim to have discovered the newest and best skincare brand that they're sharing exclusively with their followers, clients and beauty devotees. Like them, we never stop searching. But unlike them, they don't test the products on clients over many years and see the positive results first-hand.

We've scoured the universe and focused on four brands that we love because they work. CHECK OUT WHY WE LOVE OBAGI, IS CLINICAL, PHFORMULA AND HELIOCARE.

SKIN BY CATHY DOES SKINCARE

You’ve shopped, wrapped and unwrapped gifts with expert precision; you’ve cooked, eaten and drank with culinary grace; and you’ve entertained, laughed and charmed with Oscar-worthy sincerity. Yet the biggest party of the year is only days away. Don’t fret.

While most Skin by Cathy tricks need more than a few days to work wonders, we still have a bit of beauty advice to share.

Here’s your final party prep countdown:

5. It’s too late for botox, fillers or peels to take effect, so don’t bother, and most importantly, don’t take the risk of bruising, swelling or redness.

4. Exfoliate to remove dead skin, then follow with a nourishing mask. Dry, lacklustre skin looks older. If your skin isn’t as glowing as you want, then invest in any of the 5,000 highlighting powders or creams available (you should own at least one anyway).

3. Fake tan hides a multitude of sins and makes you look more refreshed. The sins are sun spots, scars, stretchmarks and even too much boozing.

2. Try sleeping on your back with your head on two pillows because it helps prevent fluid retention (which reveals itself as puffy eyes and dark circles). And do sleep. Sleep is one of the best beauty elixirs.

1. Eyes are the window to the soul, so make sure yours are bright and clear. A good eye cream should be part of your beauty arsenal, but don’t overlook the simplest and fastest way to perk up: ice. We even like dunking our entire face into ice water to give it an instant lift.  

When you awake New Year’s Day with a headache and groggy body, wishing you hadn’t stayed up so late, eaten so much or drank so much, make yourself another promise: Feel gorgeous from the inside out. It’s not about a quick fix, it’s about making lasting changes.

Here’s your gorgeous countdown:

5. Practice mindful eating (that means eating sensibly, not starving yourself).

4. Start walking, running or lifting weights even while watching trash tv—just get moving.

3. Focus on prevention as much as on correction. Use SPF every single day regardless of season or weather.

2. Embrace the ABC’s of skincare: Vitamin A for anti-ageing and skin brightening, vitamin B for hydration, and vitamin C for skin firming and toning.

1. Like who you see in the mirror.

How to change:

If something bothers you about your appearance, then change it. Why wouldn’t you when there are many safe, reliable and effective treatments available. But be careful selecting a practitioner and demand they are experts, properly trained and with adequate experience. Also demand personalised treatments based on your unique face, goals and lifestyle.

The idea of injecting botox into the same three areas on every face is absurd—no two faces are alike, nor are their facial expressions. And lips…don’t get me started on lips. Bigger is not always better. You must consider the natural shape of the lips, the face and how someone’s mouth moves when they talk or laugh to ensure a natural-looking result. We don’t do fish lips at Skin by Cathy, nor do we do puffed-up, bloated faces. A wrinkle or two might disappear, but the result is a face that doesn’t move and doesn’t look life-like. This is why experience and artistry make the difference.

Start researching treatments now or better yet, book a consultation.

DON'T OVERLOOK THESE 3 AREAS IN YOUR PARTY PREPPING PERFECTION

You’re on your way to party perfection, but don’t overlook the three most important areas that reveal your true age: neck, deck and hands.

We’ve all seen it. Someone (usually a woman, but men do it too) with glowing, youthful skin matched with an enviable smile, but something’s off. As your eyes travel down, past the jaw, to the neck, the chest and the hands, the façade starts unravelling.

Having the face of a 40-year-old, the neck and chest of a 50-year-old and the hands of a 60-year-old is not a good look (if you’re already 60, then just add a decade to the list above and the same example applies). And if you're a man, there's no excuse for an old man's neck and hands (alright, we'll let you off with the deck). Why would you spend a fortune on magic creams, peels, botox and other anti-ageing treatments only to reveal your true age?

Don’t fret, Skin by Cathy is here and we have a few tricks to ensure your outward age looks equally as youthful and vibrant from forehead to fingertips.

SKINCARE

Start by taking your skincare all the way to your chest. The skin is thinner on the chest so many skincare brands offer specially formulated creams, but if you don’t want yet another pot, that’s fine, use what you have, you will still benefit. For your hands, moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. Dry, dehydrated skin adds decades—as much to your hands as to your face.

We should start sounding annoyingly repetitive by now, but don’t forget SPF. Not now, not ever! Face, neck, deck and don’t forget your hands! Hyperpigmentation is unsightly anywhere, but there’s something about spots on hands that screams old lady.

If you prevent, then you don’t need to correct.

NECK & DECK

Technically two different areas, but the cause of ageing and treatments to reverse are so similar, we’ll lovingly combine them under neck & deck.

A neck wattle—the most dreaded and feared of all neck & deck ageing—is caused by gravity and loss of collagen. The same forces keeping your feet on the ground, also pull on your skin. Skincare can improve the appearance of the skin, but you won’t see dramatic results unless you do something a little more dramatic. Anti-wrinkle injections, chemical peels and dermapen all work well to revitalise this delicate area. Even fillers along the jawline can create definition (although subtle is the key to looking natural). If the cause is purely fat related, exercise and diet are an absolute must. In some extremes, liposuction is needed, but we advise trying non-invasive treatments first.     

Neck bands are another common annoyance and age giveaway. When you’re young, you must pull silly faces to make your bands appear, but as you age, they become more and more visible. Anti-wrinkle injections directly into the neck bands smooth the neck, remove lines and have an elongating effect. Experienced hands are critical as this is a delicate area.

HANDS  

We spend so much time and money decorating our hands with colourful manicures, rings and bracelets, yet we overlook the skin. Sounds illogical, doesn’t it? We think so. Hands visibly age faster than your face—due to their hardworking nature, neglect and basic physiology—but that doesn’t mean the ageing process can’t be stopped and even reversed. We’ll remind you to moisturise and protect, but then we’ll show you how Skin by Cathy erases years.

Fillers can be used in some cases to plump the skin, restoring a more youthful appearance. Resylane offers skin boosters designed specifically for hands, which have shown impressive results for our clients. While some clinics offer fat transfers, we think that’s more trend than correction (and a bit extreme). Chemical peels and/or dermapen help reduce age spots and sun damage—two major tell-tale signs of someone’s true age. The result of our treatments plus ongoing prevention in the form of SPF and moisturisers? Your face and hands will no longer look like they’re living in different decades.

During your consultation, Cathy will advise you about the best treatments for you neck, deck and hands to meet your goals and lifestyle—regardless of an impeding party, the new year or just an general wish to look and feel younger. 

FROM HEAD TO TOE, YOU SHOULD TELL THE SAME STORY. WITH SKIN BY CATHY TRICKS, YOU WILL. NOW YOU ARE TRULY AND FULLY PARTY READY. GO AHEAD AND FLAUNT.

FIVE SIMPLE STEPS FOR PARTY PERFECTION

Sometime after the post-August holiday lull jolted us into mid-September and the leaves changing, then suddenly into cooler air and clocks changing, the first invitation arrived. Another jolt. Party season is upon us. Don’t panic. Put down the doughnut, book your trainer, speed dial Cathy, pick up some miracles in a pot (we’ll share a few) and start preparing for your holiday party best and youngest welcome-to-2017 face.

BIG HITTERS TO SCHEDULE TODAY

These are the treatments that erase decades and sins from sun damage, but they need a little time to work, so starting now is best. Please consider that like every treatment that’s worth doing, to do it right means several appointments.

Sculptra: Sculptra works by stimulating collagen production, erasing years from your face. While the best results happen after 3-4 treatments, you will see noticeable differences in skin texture immediately. It remains Cathy’s favourite and most popular anti-ageing treatment. Learn more about Sculptra in this blog series.

PRP (aka Vampire): It works by using your own blood cells to promote collagen production, resulting in a natural-looking, more youthful appearance.

Chemical peels: These powerhouse treatments can correct pigmentation, age spots, sun damage, rosacea, acne scars and even dark eye areas. They are also safe on all skin types, including black and Asian. Depending on your goals, 1-6 treatments may be needed.

Dermapen: Good for anti-ageing, lifting, pigmentation, scarring, stretch marks (think dress revealing arms and chest), and even alopecia. Learn more about Dermapen in this blog.

Beauty isn’t always convenient, but she’s an investment that you’ll never regret. Cathy will advise you during your consultation and provide regular updates and progress reports throughout your entire treatment plan. We warn you now, beauty is addicting and once Cathy touches your face, you’ll never trust anyone else—just look at her testimonials for proof.

ONE MONTH PRE-PARTY

Anti-wrinkle injections: Botox is a must to erase frown lines and lift facial expressions, revealing your youngest, happiest-looking, party-going self.

Lip fillers: A full pout is a sign of youth and beauty and nothing better shows off this season’s deep-hued lip colours.

Cheek fillers: As we age, our cheeks lose volume. Fillers expertly placed shape your face, lift jowls and restore vitality.

Mesotherapy: Despite losing the popularity race, delivering potent vitamins, minerals and amino acids directly into the skin resulting in smoother, more hydrated, evenly toned and glowing skin keeps this treatment a firm favourite of our beauty tricks.

ONE WEEK PRE-PARTY

Don’t be too adventurous before the party. A botox top-up, light chemical peel, mesotherapy and at-home facial masks are all you need to make yourself look and feel better. Don’t forget good sleep, healthy food and no alcohol or smoking. If a few heads turn at the party and friends enviously ask where you’ve been on holiday, that’s just another boost.

SKINCARE

Amplify the power of aesthetic treatments with the right skincare—it's equally as important.

Just as you change your wardrobe with every season, so should you change your beauty routine. We won’t let you hide from daily SPF (damage from UV rays happens regardless of temperature), but we will advise you to boost your moisture. Cold air outside mixed with dry, heated air inside dehydrates your skin.

Some of our skincare heroes to erase wrinkles, even skin tone, brighten and even reverse environmental damage are listed below. Start today, you’ll thank us when the entire party turns to notice, not your dress, but your flawless, glowing skin. You’ll continue thanking us as 2017 starts with a younger, more fabulous looking you.   

·       OBAGI

Obagi is our first stop for all serious skincare because it works—that’s not just according to us, but to our clients, every beauty guru and millions of users (read THE PRICE OF PREVENTION AND CORRECTION to learn more about Obagi). It’s medical grade skincare, which means only a dermatologist or aesthetic nurse can prescribe this precious liquid. It’s not just good genes and a fanatical approach to nutrition that keeps Cathy without a single wrinkle and looking 20 years younger, it’s Obagi.

·       LATEST TRICK IN OUR SKINCARE ARSENAL

Every beauty editor and blogger, along with every retailer, claims to have discovered the newest and absolute best skincare brand that they’re sharing exclusively with their followers, clients and beauty devotees. Like them, we never stop searching. It’s rare when a new brand catches our attention enough to take notice, try and then sell to our clients. pHformula is that brand. While it’s not technically a new brand—boasting a start in Spain in the late 19th century and fourth generation family pharmacist heritage—it’s been the last five years that they started earning major attention with their focus on skin resurfacing. This pharmaceutical medical grade brand is packed with the most potent anti-ageing, skin perfecting and brightening ingredients available (think of your ABC’s…as in vitamins) and offers both in clinic and at-home treatments. We’re in love so much with pHforumula that we’re putting our name next to it (a rarity).

·       CULT CLASSICS WE LOVE

We understand Obagi is not cheap and not everyone has a dermatologist or Cathy-like aesthetic nurse (although there is only one Cathy) on speed dial, so we’ll forgive you for heading straight to Boots or Feel Unique in search for hidden beauty gems. We remain true to hydrating cult classics like Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream plus many others we'll share if you ask.

·       INGREDIENT BEST FRIENDS

Depending on your skin needs, look for products that include high concentrations of hyaluronic acid for dry and dehydrated skin, vitamin A for anti-ageing and skin brightening, and vitamin C for skin firming and toning. If acne is your issue, we strongly recommend you see us (or another professional) because it’s easy to make the problem worse by using the wrong skincare. Hyaluronic acid should be your new best-friend because this hydrating superhorse can hold up to 1000 times in weight in water (that means only one gram can hold up to six litres of water—wow).  Retinol (the potent form of vitamin A) is not new to any beauty-seeker’s vocabulary because it’s been around for ages and it works. Decades of research prove retinol’s power to increase skin firmness, diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles, significantly improve skin tone, and smooth skin surface to reveal glowing skin. Go slowly when beginning any retinol treatment and always follow product instructions. Vitamin C, especially L-ascorbic acid, erases uneven skin tone and damage from environmental stresses while also boosting skin’s firmness. Most forms of vitamin C are unstable and if you use too high of a concentration, it can damage skin, so read labels.

After sharing our skincare secrets, we’ll scream Obagi and pHformula one last time. Think of it as a wise investment in visibly delaying ageing. Using medical grade skincare now saves you a small fortune in the long-run (think laser treatments and facelifts).

INSIDE COUNTS TOO

You already know it, but we’ll remind you that what you put inside your body shows on the outside. Smoking, poor nutrition and bad food age your skin decades—more than even the best skincare can keep pace correcting. Save yourself a fortune and start eating well. Read Summer Bodies Are Made in Winter for some of Cathy’s top tips to get started. 

NO EXCUSES FOR DELAY

Even if party invitations haven't started pouring in, treat yourself this holiday season. Erase wrinkles, boost your self esteem, banish insecurities and start looking in the mirror, thinking 'Darn, I look good'.