Beauty Q & A with John Gustafson

Our make-up, skincare and beauty guru solves all your beauty dilemmas

Hi John,

I am a 20-year -old with extremely fair skin and want to wear sunscreen to keep it that way.  I normally travel via shadows when it's sunny but that isn't always the most practical and think I should be wearing sun protection.  I would be already but I can't stand the cloying feeling of most sun creams.  I have very oily skin and already wear quite a bit on it, Clinique Visible Turnaround Serum, prescription spot cream and Eyeko Cream (this may sound an odd choice but it really helps keep makeup in place and actually stops the shine. I apply it liberally), then on top I wear Mac Studio Fix Fluid mixed with Illamasqua pure white Rich Liquid Foundation, followed by a liberal dusting of powder.  I like all the products I apply and want something I can wear as well, so it needs to be extremely light and non-greasy, preferably a gel.  I particularly want to wear it on my ears, neck, chest, and around hairline that isn't protected by foundation.  Something for the body would be good too, this especially needs to be non-greasy as I work with fabrics, particularly silk, which can be ruined by contact with grease.  I have been looking for years for the right product and still haven't found it so would greatly appreciate any suggestions you may have.  I am prepared to spend a bit on this, but I'd rather pay as little as I can, especially on the body cream as I am a student and want to be able to apply it liberally without worrying that I won't be able to afford a new one. 

Thank you so much if you can help,

Katy

 

Katy,

Finding a gel is going to be a difficult thing. I had a think about some of the oil-free dry sprays, but couldn't find one that the protection was going to be high enough for you. The two that I would be happiest to recommend are the Clarins UV Plus SPF40 for your face and possibly your hands. Very light, non-greasy, and it holds really well. For your body, the Shu Uemura XTR50 is a more generous tube, so that would be good for the rest of your exposed skin. Whichever way you look at this, it will be an expense - mind you - an expense and investment that is worthwhile. The other product I thought might be worth looking at is the Becca Mineral Primer, which has an oil-free, waterproof, immediate protection formulation in an SPF30. The only problem with this one is that I personally don't like the smell. But that is just me. A bit too...coconutty! But don't let my preference limit you - go and test it out for yourself. Those should fit the bill very nicely with high protection and textures that won't get in the way of your work.

Have a good summer,

John

 

Hi John

I'm a 31 year old who hasn't been the best at keeping up with a daily skin routine - it was more a ‘when-I-remember' routine!  I also suffer from bags under my eyes and dark circles, which don't go, no matter how much water I drink or sleep I get! Otherwise, I'm very lucky in that my skin is wrinkle free, but I'm very aware that it won't stay that way forever!  I now use a moisturiser daily, and Garnier's caffeine eye roll-on, exfoliate, etc., etc., but I'm wondering if there's anything else I should be doing - and I'd especially like to stop my upper eyelids sagging any more than they have, if possible!  I can't use the roll-on on the top lids as it irritates the skin.

Emma Luck

 

Emma,

It is never too late. I don't really have any issues with your routine...as long as you do it! I would maybe upgrade the eyecream to something like Strixaderm S.O.S. as it is proven to deal with the bags and discolouration better than any other I have found. Make sure your daily moisturiser has a minimum SPF of 15, and perhaps invest in a good refinishing mask. Look for something that can revitalise the skin, hydrate, and cleanse it so if you do occasionally "forget", you have a penance you can do once a week! Maintain and prevent and keep the past in the past. We all thought we would never age when we were young and stupid...

Fingers crossed,

John

 

Hi John

I wonder if you can help.  I am 31 and my skin has gradually lost it plumpness and is dry and flaky. I have always considered my skin to be combination with a few occasional hormonal breakouts, but it has changed so much I am lost as to what will suit it best. I have tried various exfoliation products from Lancôme and Virgin Vie but found them to be great at getting rid of the flakes but leave my skin taught and dry. I currently use E45 cream as a moisturiser as it is non-greasy and does take the tightness away from washing my face with water. I tend not to use anything to cleanse my face as I find I become blotchy and dry.

Any advice would really help me.

Thank you,

Kate

 

Kate,

You need to get yourself on a much better cleansing routine. If you are finding that your exfoliating products are leaving you dry and tight, they are being counterproductive. Any cleanser you use should leave you feeling clean, smooth, fresh, and never dry. I think you would do well with a cleanser that incorporated the cleansing and exfoliating such as Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish or Temple Spa In The Beginning. These use a muslin cloth to gently remove both makeup and death skin cells. Neither should leave you feeling uncomfortable and they are both in the average price bracket. There are others like Eve Lom, Amanda Lacey, Vaishally Patel, and Rodial, but you will spend double on any of these. That is not to say they are not worth the extra money, but I would try the lesser costly first and work my way up. The other great thing about these is that they help to decongest the skin and keep breakout in check. Lastly, if you could manage it, there is a product called Aquascoop by Strixaderm that is a super-hydrator. Even if you were to use it once a day, it is a 24-hour intense moisture product that should really get the dryness under control. The combination of less aggressive cleansing and more effective hydration should give you a completely different skin in only about 30 days. It just could be worth the investment...

Best,

John

 

 

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