SERVICES

Tuesday February 28, 2007

Don't Be Caught Out Without

By Anne Marie Scanlon

Urban living can be hard on your skin. The fumes from a thousand cars attack your pores each day. Then there's the steam that bellows up from the subway, the smoke from hot dog vendors and the several thousand other pollutants that permeate the air around you. God, it's enough to make you want to move into an oxygen tank and never leave.

To keep the worst of the grime at bay there are a few handy products that no handbag should be without. Biore® Daily Deep Cleansing Clothes ($5.99 for a pack of 30) are the must-have accessory this season (and every other season too.) These handy wipes are brilliant for cleansing on the go (or if you've had a night on the tiles and you are just too, ahem, tired to do your regular bedtime beauty routine). They have a textured side for mild exfoliation and a smooth side to wipe skin clean. They are also alcohol-free which is good news for your skin.

At the opposite end of the spectrum if shiny skin is what ails you then the tarte Little Blot Book ($32) should be your constant companion. I've mentioned the Little Blot Book in these pages before and will probably do so again. It is the perfect antidote to a greasy gleam (so not attractive) as it has two anti-blot agents - mattifying powder and tiny blotting sheets (refills available for $8 each.) Apart from everything else I love this product because it just looks so cute.

If it's not harsh winter weather that's playing merry hell with your skin then it's the glacial blast of air conditioner. This is where Dermalogica's Climate Control ($40) comes in. This is a therapeutic balm which helps heal damaged facial skin whilst providing a protective shield against further harm. Climate Control contains shea butter to provide a barrier to lock in the skins natural moisture and Vitamin E, wheatgerm and oat extract to promote dermal repair. Climate Control comes in a handy stick applicator so you can take it anywhere.

Similarly, Dermalogica Barrier Repair ($35) is a waterless moisturizer that is designed to protect skin from environmental damage. This product contains Evening Primrose Oil and emollient Silicones to strengthen the skins natural lipid barrier. But what you really want to know is how easily is it absorbed and the answer is very.

A good moisturizer is the essential survival item for skin no matter what the weather. Clinique Superdefence Triple Action Moisturizer ($39.50) is a multifunctional moisturizer with an SPF of 25 which has been designed specifically to protect skin from environmental damage. Despite the high SPF, the anti-aging and environmental protection properties the formula is surprisingly lightweight, so good if you're in a hurry (and let's face it, who isn't these days?).

Stockists

Biore products are available at select food, drug and mass merchant stores nationwide. Online at www.biore.com

Clinique is available in department stores nationwide or online at www.clinique.com

Dermalogica is available at select salons and spas nationwide. Check www.dermalogica.com

tarte is available online at the following, http://www.tartecosmetics.com, http://www.sephora.com and www.beauty.com

After a hard day at work and a hard night doing whatever it is you do of an evening Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser for Face and Eyes ($42) is just what your skin wants before retiring for the night. This is a very gentle gel-cream that can be either rinsed or wiped off. It is designed to help combat skin sensitivity caused by pollution, climate, stress and hormonal imbalance. It is designed to help combat the skin sensitivity caused by modern living in other words.

Next week I'll be reviewing the perfect product for dirty stop-outs. Seriously, this is one you don't want to miss.

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