Your Skincare Problems Solved

Skincare pros from celebrity dermatologists to beauty therapists share their expert tips on all things skincare - including how to minimise pores and get rid of whiteheads...and answer the question: is it ok to sleep with your makeup on?

How to get rid of under eye circles and puffiness
Ready for a reality check? "Often these two issues are hereditary and can come down to your diet," says Lush co-founder Roweena Bird. "Unfortunately they can’t really be treated cosmetically, however you can minimise the appearance with concealer." Try: Lush Colour Supplements mixed with your favourite moisturiser.

How to minimise pores
"Pores look more obvious in hot, humid weather," says dermatologist Mary Lupo. "I advise my patients to add one extra exfoliation session per week."

How to get rid of blackheads
Establish a good skincare routine and stick to it. Proper cleansing, toning and moisturising with an oil-free lotion or cream is vital, and exfoliate twice a week with a soft, grainy scrub, says esthetician Lena Bratschi. Blackhead removal is "best treated by a professional where the skin is prepped correctly, extracted correctly and importantly, treated afterwards to both stop inflammation and prevent them the blackheads from reoccurring."

How to get rid of whiteheads
Whatever you do, do not squeeze whiteheads (or even worse, pierce them with a needle or pin, as some trained beauty therapists may do). This can lead to scarring and broken capillaries, all of which are difficult and expensive to fix later. "Exfoliate and treate the skin gently," says Roweena Bird. "It’s important to gently clean the skin and not be too rough with it."

Is it ok to sleep with my makeup on?
Dr. Harold Lancer says going to bed with your makeup on is a huge no-no. "That's the worst thing you can do, because you have all those toxic chemicals there, just eating away the entire nature of the skin."

Avoid foundation if you can
"Foundation lodges into every pore and line, accentuating wrinkles," says Dr. Katie Rodan, co-author of bestselling Write Your Skin A Prescription for Change.

The number one best-kept beauty secret
“Want one of the best beauty secrets that’s completely free? Sleep on your back,” claims San Francisco-based dermatologist Dr. Kathy Fields. “A line between your nose and your mouth will become deeper over time, or you can develop a crease that doesn’t naturally exist. When you’re young, your skin bounces back and those creases go away during the day. But when you start to age, you start to see them deepening and lasting."

What's your favourite skincare tip?