Yahoo Lifestyle High-Tech Hybrids: The Multi-Use Products You Need To Know
In an era where we're strapped for time and smartphone-dependent, the majority of women have multi-tasking down to a fine art. Day-to-day duties become a juggling act between work, family, friends, finances and fitness, leaving little time for a skincare routine. Cue the trend towards do-it-all products. "Technologies today allow us to make specific formulas to treat various skin problems," says Dr Tom Mammone, executive director of skin physiology and pharmacology at Clinique. "That being said, we've also noticed that some cosmetic concerns have an overlap of pathways, and this evolution is leading towards products becoming more sophisticated."
These scientific breakthroughs have made targeting multiple skin concerns, from redness to wrinkles, a reality regardless of your schedule, so get set to consolidate your bathroom cabinet with these double-duty beauty buys.
Face-firming + texture enhancing
Our skin thins with age, resulting in a lack of firmness, volume and elasticity. The key culprit? UVA exposure, according to Dr Mammone. "UVA can penetrate much deeper than UVB and it affects the structures that uphold skin," he explains. UV exposure also takes its toll on texture, so topical products that refine while defining contours will be of benefit.
Best Buys: Chanel Le Lift Serum, $212, incorporates a resveratrol molecule (known for its antioxidant and anti-ageing properties) to reactivate the formation of collagen and elastin fibres. The result? Plumper skin, restored density and increased epidermal thickness. Jurlique Nutri-Define Superior Retexturising Facial Serum, $145, fuses nature with science: a blend of five anti-ageing actives combines with ginseng and licorice root extracts to lift sagging skin and soften roughness.
Blemish + redness reducing
Genetic factors, hormones and stress can all trigger an acne outbreak, leading to pigmented marks. "Darker skin tones will have a hyperpigmented spot after the acne lesion, which lasts longer than the lesion itself," explains Dr Mammone. "An infection occurs which causes inflammation, and then hyperpigmentation." Most over-the-counter formulas contain salicylic acid, which helps to penetrate hair follicles, unclog pores and relieve redness, plus it "has anti-inflammatory properties", adds Dr Mammone.
Best Buys: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+], $27.95, promises to blitz blemishes and reduce redness 24 hours after application, thanks to a combination of salicylic acid and a ceramide complex that prevents pigmented marks from forming. Estee Lauder Clear Difference Advanced Blemish Serum, $115, gives pimples the push with salicylic acid, while glucosamine (a sugar-derived skin refiner) speeds up cellular turnover for increased clarity and fewer dark marks.
Radiance + moisture-boosting
Dullness and dehydration can cause your complexion to lose its lustre, leading to "a shift in colour on the surface of the skin", notes Dr Mammone. "Keeping skin hydrated is the first step. You'll also have a major change in radiance and hydration after exfoliation, so make sure you moisturise afterwards."
Best Buys: Ultraceuticals Ultra Diminishing Complex, $135, buffs away surface debris and replenishes thirsty skin with each application. A bio-exfoliating agent enhances luminosity with the added brightening benefits of niacinamide and skin-softening hyaluronic acid. Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future Powered by Ceramide Caplet Serum, $80, gives skin a surge of moisture with a lipid blend that mimics the skin's structure, along with glow-getting licorice extract and optical diffusers that blur imperfections and improve texture.
Wrinkle smoothing + age-spot correcting
Age spots and a creased complexion are common concerns for Australian women. "There's a fair amount of evidence to suggest that hyperpigmentation and lines stem from sun and DNA damage," explains Dr Mammone. "Ingredients utilised to help repair DNA can actually slow down the formation of both of these things and prevent them from recurring in future."
Best Buys: Philosophy Miracle Worker Overnight, $80, evens tone and unwrinkles crinkles while you sleep. A rare marine algae extract targets age-accelerating proteins, a peptide complex and vitamin C support collagen synthesis, and lactic acid resurfaces skin while restoring moisture. Pevonia Spa Clinica Micro-Retinol Essential Moisturizer, $129, houses a vitamin A derivative proven to accelerate cell turnover to smooth fine lines while fading dark spots. This ingredient isn't new, however the micronised molecules allow for more effective treatment and absorption without irritation.
Complexion clearing + pore-refining
"In large part, what most people see when they see pores is an accumulation of melanin in the centre of the follicle," points out Dr Mammone. "So when treating pores, we do use some overlying technologies for hyperpigmentation."
Best Buys: Giorgio Armani Crema Nera Extrema Supreme Reviving Serum, $495, boasts a rare resurrection plant as well as floral extracts and age-defying algae to minimise pores, fade pigmentation and smooth the skin's surface for enhanced light reflection and radiance. Dior Hydra Life Close-Up Moisturizer, $135, treats three types of pores (blocked, oily and slackened) with a blend of botanicals that simultaneously refine texture, leaving skin clear and luminous.
The first responders
Try one of these bespoke blends that promise to do it all.
Beauty's latest buzzword? "Smart" skincare. Like an Instagram filter, these products promise to fix a plethora of flaws, from pigmentation to enlarged pores and fine lines. "These creams and serums are a new genera- tion and they're only going to get stronger," asserts Dr Mammone. The premise behind these formulas is that they customise the release of active ingredients to your skin based on distress signals triggered by damage.
Best Buys: The first thing Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum, $80, does is blanket the skin with a red algae extract, making it more receptive to repair. Then it figures out what your skin needs: moisture levels are boosted with hyaluronic acid and cucumber extract, dark spots are reduced with grape extract and vitamin C, and contours are lifted and creases smoothed with a blend of collagen-boosting peptides. Lancome Visionnaire LR 2412 4% - Cx*, $97, contains a new class of plant extracts that act as "signal molecules" to activate the synthesis of defence and repair proteins. It works to increase the skin's production of hyaluronic acid for fewer fine lines, plus it evens tone and tightens pores.
Easy on the eyes
Protect this delicate area with these multi-tasking must-haves.
Avon Anew Reversalist Complete Renewal Express Dual Eye System , $40, houses an AM/PM formula. Use the brightening balm in the morning to eradicate dark circles, and the line-fighting cream in the evening for smoother skin.
Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream, $55, promises to reduce smile lines by 54 per cent after 12 weeks of use while repairing UV damage, fending off free radicals and strengthening skin's moisture barrier.
SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel, $129.90, has a lightweight gel texture with a triple antioxidant complex to correct damage, alleviate excess baggage and reduce puffiness. Using your ring finger, pat from the inner corner around to the brow bone.
RELATED:
Classic beauty secrets from Hollywood screen sirens
