Latest news with #SoniaKhorana
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Amazon shoppers go wild for hero skincare product that promises to clear your blemishes - and it's only £11
When it's time to restock our bathroom shelf, there are no aisles we'd rather browse than those at Boots, Sephora and Space NK (and get tempted by the hundreds of aesthetically-pleasing brands and products they stock). There is, however, another beauty destination that shouldn't be overlooked, especially when it comes to buying unsexy but effective skincare products, and that's Amazon. The retail giant has just expanded its beauty offering with the launch of a dedicated Dermocosmetics Storefront, giving UK customers access to dermatologist-recommended products such as cleansers, sunscreens and serums from some of our favourite brands, including La Roche-Posay, Medik8 and Naturium. The new storefront allows you to filter products by category, concern (acne, eczema, anti ageing, dry skin, or redness), skin type or ingredient – and even features educational content, like an A-Z ingredient guide, so you can find tailored solutions. While the sheer number of skincare brands and products available can be a little overwhelming, the list of bestsellers is actually really good. Case in point for the Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original, which has earned its spot as the number one selling beauty product on Amazon for the fifth consecutive quarter. The £11 (for a pack of 36) nighttime pimple patches are made from medical-grade hydrocolloid and promise to absorb gunk in six to eight hours. So do they really work? We asked dermatologist Dr. Sonia Khorana. How do hydrocolloid pimple patches work? 'Hydrocolloids patches absorb exudate (from a spot, for example) to form a hydrated gel over the wound, creating a moist environment that promotes healing and protects the skin at the same time,' Dr. Khorana explains. 'They foster a moist environment meant to allow for faster and improved healing time. Most importantly, they block you from being able to pick a spot.' What type of blemishes do they work for? According to Dr. Khorana, hydrocolloid pimple patches can be used on various types of blemishes, but they are best suited to inflamed papules and pustules. 'If you have a deep cyst that's sitting under the surface of your skin or a closed comedone, putting a hydrocolloid patch over it won't likely do much, but it will stop you from picking it,' she says. 'If you're dealing with a red, angry or oozing spot, or one that you've somewhat picked, a hydrocolloid patch is great for this. What's the best way to use a pimple patch? 'Always apply them to clean, dry skin so they adhere properly to the spot,' says Dr. Khorana. 'I find that the less residue you have on your skin, the better they adhere and stay put.' If you're applying skincare, she recommends waiting about half an hour after you've applied your products before you stick on a pimple patch to make sure it stays in place. She also doesn't recommend applying make-up before sticking on a pimple patch. Instead, apply your pimple patch first, and then apply make-up on top if you want.
Telegraph
10-03-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Do I really need a perimenopause moisturiser?
Plummeting hormones have much to answer for – enter the jowls, wrinkles, crepey skin and dry, dull skin tone triggered during perimenopause that only become more pronounced as our hormones and collagen reserves deplete further during menopause. Beauty brands have quickly caught on to the fact we're all becoming more aware of how our hormones can affect our skin too – this year has seen a raft of menopause-specific skincare launches – from hormone-balancing moisturisers and serums to eye creams and cleansers. Not to mention the burgeoning social media trend that's seen some women applying HRT oestrogen gel directly to their faces in a bid to improve their perimenopausal skin problems. 'This trend is concerning,' warns Dr Sonia Khorana, a dermatology expert and cosmetic doctor. 'Oestrogen gel isn't designed for facial use and could cause unwanted and even dangerous hormonal and dermatological effects. There's no proven benefit that HRT gel improves wrinkles and using it on the face increases the risk of health conditions, as well as acne, pigmentation and facial hair, too.' So whilst this extreme measure is clearly a no-no, there's no denying menopause specific skincare is having a moment, with added ingredients like phytoestrogens and soy isoflavones touted to help address the dryness and hormonal skin problems associated with perimenopause. So do we really need to throw out our existing skincare and invest in menopause-specific products instead? The British Skin Foundation advises proceeding with caution. 'Menopausal creams may promise to rejuvenate ageing skin and combat dryness. However, the evidence supporting these claims is often anecdotal or based on limited studies… you do not necessarily need a 'menopause' moisturiser.' And what about the wrinkle-improving products many of us are already using – aren't these good enough for midlife? 'Absolutely. Many well-formulated products already contain key ingredients to target perimenopausal skin concerns, such as retinoids, peptides, antioxidants and hydrators, without needing a 'menopause' label,' says Khorana. 'Menopause-targeted skincare can be beneficial if people aren't sure where to start with their skin in midlife, but it's not necessary if you're already using products that already address skin ageing concerns – so always be mindful of falling for misleading menopause product claims and 'menowashing' in skincare.' I tried the latest peri-menopause skincare to combat my own midlife skin concerns. Are they worth the investment? Key concern: Saggy skin At 40, jowls weren't on my radar, but fast-forward to 44 and my cheeks are heading towards my disappearing jawline. 'No amount of skincare can prevent saggy skin,' explains Khorana, 'but incorporating a good-quality retinal or retinol at night to help stimulate collagen production to increase firmness and also a brightening antioxidant product to help protect against age-accelerating free radicals during the day are key.' Made of More Brightening Day Shield, £58, Made of More; SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, £165, SkinCeuticals For daytime, I've been trying new perimenopause skincare brand Made of More's Brightening Day Shield, which claims to 'tackle the rollercoaster ride of dermatological symptoms associated with fluctuating hormones' using antioxidant cannabigerol (CBG), hemp seed oil, peptides and Superox-C, a form of Vitamin C. Whilst this lightweight gel sunk in beautifully, I didn't notice it having a more significant impact on skin firmness and tone than my long-time favourite antioxidant, SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, which, although has a heftier price tag, is clinically-proven to help firm and protect skin from environmental aggressors. I come back to this product time again because it works. Key concern: Deep lines and wrinkles There's a buzz around peptides right now – the proteins in skincare that help encourage deep lines to relax so wrinkles are less noticeable. 'Whilst collagen peptides won't have the same effect as Botox, regular use signals your skin cells to make collagen, which can help skin appear less wrinkly over time,' explains Khorana. Lixirskin Night Switch Phytoestrogen & Peptide, £32, lixirskin; Meder Myo-Fix, £99, Meder by Dr Tiina Meder Given my crow's feet have been deepening steadily, I've been experimenting with different peptide formulas. Lixirskin's Menopausal Skin Support Night Switch Phytoestrogen & Peptide contains collagen peptides and phytoestrogen which is claimed to help boost collagen production and elasticity in menopausal skin. 'Some studies may suggest phytoestrogens do this, but their ability to significantly affect hormone levels is debatable since they have low skin penetration,' Khorana explains. I don't feel this product has much-improved my crow's feet, so I've turned to the reformulated Meder Myo-Fix, which contains concentrated muscle-relaxing peptides and can be applied just to your wrinkly areas – for me, that's around my eyes and forehead. And it works; these areas just don't crinkle as much anymore. Key concern: Dull skin and discolouration Pigmentation and melasma are all fun side effects of perimenopause, so it's been a learning curve discovering products that serve me when it comes to emerging brown patches. 'For discolouration and pigmentation, vitamin A products like retinol or even dermatologist-prescribed tretinoin (medical-grade vitamin A) can help improve and refine skin texture and tone, smoothing lines at the same time,' explains Khorana. Renew+Me Serum in a Cream, £29.99, Renew+Me; RoC Retinol Capsules, £35.99, RoC Whilst I'm sceptical about menopause-specific skincare, I've been using mid-life targeted Renew+Me Serum in a Cream, a monthly tretinoin serum subscription for six months now, and can hand on heart say my skin tone has never looked glowier or more even. It contains azelaic acid to target brown spots too so I no longer have pigmentation on my cheeks or forehead. For a commitment-free alternative, RoC Retinol Capsules contain an exceptional quality retinol and the measured nightly dose ensures you don't use too much or little. Key concern: Midlife acne One thing no one tells you about perimenopause is that, despite your oestrogen depleting, you can still get spots like a teenager. Pores can appear larger and baggier too. 'Thorough cleansing with gentle products containing salicylic acid and niacinamide will help balance and exfoliate prevent mid-life breakouts,' explains Khorana. Raaie Manuka Honey Enzyme Cleanser, £65, Raaie; Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Ectoin-Infused Cream, £56, Dr Jart+ I'm generally sensitive to acids but I've found that double-cleansing with Raaie Manuka Honey Enzyme Cleanser helps prevent breakouts – it's designed for mid-life skin but it isn't a menopause-specific product. It contains gentle enzymes to help loosen dead skin cells and leaves skin bright, smooth and comfortable. To ensure my skin barrier stays protected, I'm devoted to Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Ectoin-Infused Cream, which contains ceramides to deeply hydrate and prevent sensitivity – essential for minimising skin dryness which can increase in midlife.
