Skincare chat with Antonia Kanczula
Health and lifestyle journo Antonia Kanczula dropped by to share her skincare tips. She answered your questions on back acne, banishing blackheads and eczema.
**helen**: Hi everyone good to see you. Antonia is just about to join us.
**helen**: Here she is - welcome to the chat. Feel free to ask a question.
Bunnie: Hi Antonia, I have dark circles around my eyes, and I was wondering what I could do to get rid of them? They are not dependable on sleep, and I drink plenty of water.
**helen**: That's a good one Bunnie - Pearly asked that too.
Bunnie: Ooh as long as it isn't just me that suffers from them!
Antonia: Do you smoke Bunnie?
Bunnie: I do yes...I'm naughty.
Antonia: The skin below your eye is very thin and so can show up a multitude of sins including smoking and nutritional deficiencies. Sometimes, sadly, it's just an inherited thing. My advice to you would be to invest in a highlighter concealer like Touche Eclat (there are much cheaper ones on the market). Dab it on really carefully and use you little finger to blend it. Oh, and giving up smoking would be a great idea - it enlarges the capillaries in your skin and makes them noticeable.
Bunnie: I have had Touche Eclat and to be honest, I wasn't very impressed. It didn't seem to hide them, but rather emphasise them. The quitting thing is a possibility but I can't see it happening all that soon. Does it matter that I was born with them? Does that mean I'm stuck with them?
Antonia: Most of us have them... I'd just say try your utmost to avoid making them worse. So that means get plenty of sleep, eat healthily, drink lots of water and give up the fags.
Bunnie: Thanks Antonia.
Fi: My sister has really awful problems with dry, painful hands. She spends a lot of time with them in water. What's a really effective hand cream?
Antonia: The best hand cream that money can buy, I think, is by a brand called Barielle. It was actually originally formulated for horses' hooves. It has a website or you can buy it in large department stores.
Franki: ok...so, my question is, is there any way of getting rid of spots on my back? I have lots and sometimes they're bad enough for people to notice and it's not nice :(
Antonia: Do you suffer from acne on your face too?
Franki: Not badly, but a little. My face is riddled at the moment though :( The spots on my back aren't *spots* as such, they're just little bumps, but I do get big, nasty spots on my back a lot, so I have lots of scars because I'm a compulsive picker.
Antonia: Like your face, your back has loads of glands that can become blocked. I think step one, stop picking them and try an anti-bacterial body wash - have you done that before?
Franki: I haven't, but I shall try it... We have some Tea Tree stuff in the bathroom, but it's not mine so I'm wary about using it.
Antonia: Tea Tree is a great natural anti-bacterial. If you've been picking them I would wait before you use anything though. Any anti-bacterial will help unblock the pores and promote healing.
Franki: I don't have any nasty ones at the mo so it should be safe :)
Antonia: If this doesn't work, and you're really suffering I would say you should see your GP.
Franki: Ooh that's good :). One more quick thing. What's good to use on my face, because I haven't found anything which works yet :(
Antonia: Often using really harsh anti-spot products on your skin (you know all the chemically-smelling ones) can actually make things worse. Your pores over-compensate and start producing more oil, which makes everything worse. Acne is an inflammatory condition - you need something to calm it down.
Franki: I noticed that...they really dry my skin out as well, which is annoying because then moisturising it makes it oily and spotty again. :|
Antonia: Always choose mild, and if possible natural based products. My absolute favourite range is Liz Earle and they have a great light moisturiser that's perfect for teen skins.
Franki: I will try and buy some of that when I am not stupidly poor :) Thank you!
"Really the best thing you can do for your skin (and the cheapest) is look after yourself - eat well and drink plenty of water."
PussyKatty: What's the best way to get rid of blackheads? The Bioré cleansing pore strips haven't worked for me.
Antonia: Blackheads are in fact pores blocked with your skin's natural oils - the black bit comes from the fact it's been oxidised by the air. Firstly, don't squeeze or pick them - you'll just push the oil further in and probably cause a spot. Bioré doesn't work for everyone, I find.
Antonia: The best thing, after a shower or bath when your pores are open, is to use a sterile blackhead remover (Body Shop used to do one) to target the worse ones. In general use oil-free face products to keep them at bay. Sadly they're just a fact of life (and skin). Hope that helps!
Ashley: Right now for a question - how can I get rid of scars which have been left as a result of a big nasty spotty?
Antonia: A great product I used after I had Chicken Pox is called Rosa Mosqueta oil - you can buy it online. It's full of essential fatty acids that are vital for supple and glowing skin. Or you could buy Vitamin E oil capsules, break one open and apply it directly to your skin. Vitamin E is a key nutrient for your skin. That sound OK?
Ashley: Which one is best out of the two options?
Antonia: I don't think there's a 'better' one but Rosa Mosqueta is quite expensive. Another great tip is to make sure you're eating lots of fresh fruit and veg, drinking water and eating healthy oils like olive oil. They help heal your skin inside out.
Ashley: Okie doke thanks.
Kangoo: I've found that applying a small drop of vodka with cotton wool to my face after I've washed it keeps it less greasy and closes my pores. Is it ok to do this?
Antonia: I suppose it's possible - but I've never heard of it!
Jarvey: Does face scrub actually help remove blackheads?
Antonia: No, I'm afraid not... Face scrubs remove dead skin on the surface of your skin. Blackheads are more deep-rooted.
Ashley: Ooh I love the apricot scrubby one.
Antonia: I've mentioned this before but treating your face with scrubs can actually have the opposite effect... They can dry it out and your pores will over-compensate by producing more oil, so the cycle continues. Don't squeeze your blackheads, you'll make them worse. After you've had a bath or shower and your pores are open, use a sterile blackhead remover to get rid of the worst ones.
jarvey: Thanks.
Ashley: So if I get the cleanser and moisturiser off this Liz Earle site my skin will be beautiful and radiant - because at the price it is I would expect it to!
Antonia: Really the best thing you can do for your skin (and the cheapest) is looking after yourself - eating well and drinking plenty of water. No products will 'give' you radiant skin. They help boost it...so really address your diet first and then find a mild natural-based product range (there are plenty of cheaper ones you could try like Boots Botanics.)
jarvey: I take medication for acne on my back, are there other things I could do to help it?
Antonia: Like I was saying before, your skin is like a window to your health. I'd really recommend eating plenty of fresh fruit and veg - packed with nutrients like Vitamin C that help your skin to heal.
jarvey: Cheers will do.
Ashley: Also I am prone to get spots always in the same place - right on my forehead which is a bugger. How can I avoid the spots coming - is it because of make up? Or because I don't religiously moisturise?
Antonia: Your forehead is part of the T-Zone on your face - the most oily parts (your forehead, nose and chin). Try using oil-free makeup and once a week use a clay-based face mask to unclog your pores.
Ashley: Clay based? right ok that's a new one - will do! What can I do to get rid once they are there?
Antonia: Don't pick them for starters. Maybe you keep getting them in the same place because you're pushing the blockage deeper into your skin. Try an anti-bacterial spot treatment - you know the ones you see advertised all the time, don't touch spots and try the oil-free make-up thing!
Fiona: Why is eczema worse in winter? Is it because of central heating?
Antonia: Partly, yes. Central heating plus the ravages of the weather really dry out your skin. Plus, you're not getting the Vitamin D your skin needs from the sunshine. Try eating more good fats - so oily fish, nuts and seeds, avocado to lubricate your skin from the inside.
**helen**: Thanks a lot Antonia - bye for now :-)
Skincare chat with Antonia Kanczula
Health and lifestyle journo Antonia Kanczula dropped by to share her skincare tips. She answered your questions on back acne, banishing blackheads and eczema.
**helen**: Hi everyone good to see you. Antonia is just about to join us.
**helen**: Here she is - welcome to the chat. Feel free to ask a question.
Bunnie: Hi Antonia, I have dark circles around my eyes, and I was wondering what I could do to get rid of them? They are not dependable on sleep, and I drink plenty of water.
**helen**: That's a good one Bunnie - Pearly asked that too.
Bunnie: Ooh as long as it isn't just me that suffers from them!
Antonia: Do you smoke Bunnie?
Bunnie: I do yes...I'm naughty.
Antonia: The skin below your eye is very thin and so can show up a multitude of sins including smoking and nutritional deficiencies. Sometimes, sadly, it's just an inherited thing. My advice to you would be to invest in a highlighter concealer like Touche Eclat (there are much cheaper ones on the market). Dab it on really carefully and use you little finger to blend it. Oh, and giving up smoking would be a great idea - it enlarges the capillaries in your skin and makes them noticeable.
Bunnie: I have had Touche Eclat and to be honest, I wasn't very impressed. It didn't seem to hide them, but rather emphasise them. The quitting thing is a possibility but I can't see it happening all that soon. Does it matter that I was born with them? Does that mean I'm stuck with them?
Antonia: Most of us have them... I'd just say try your utmost to avoid making them worse. So that means get plenty of sleep, eat healthily, drink lots of water and give up the fags.
Bunnie: Thanks Antonia.
Fi: My sister has really awful problems with dry, painful hands. She spends a lot of time with them in water. What's a really effective hand cream?
Antonia: The best hand cream that money can buy, I think, is by a brand called Barielle. It was actually originally formulated for horses' hooves. It has a website or you can buy it in large department stores.
Franki: ok...so, my question is, is there any way of getting rid of spots on my back? I have lots and sometimes they're bad enough for people to notice and it's not nice :(
Antonia: Do you suffer from acne on your face too?
Franki: Not badly, but a little. My face is riddled at the moment though :( The spots on my back aren't *spots* as such, they're just little bumps, but I do get big, nasty spots on my back a lot, so I have lots of scars because I'm a compulsive picker.
Antonia: Like your face, your back has loads of glands that can become blocked. I think step one, stop picking them and try an anti-bacterial body wash - have you done that before?
Franki: I haven't, but I shall try it... We have some Tea Tree stuff in the bathroom, but it's not mine so I'm wary about using it.
Antonia: Tea Tree is a great natural anti-bacterial. If you've been picking them I would wait before you use anything though. Any anti-bacterial will help unblock the pores and promote healing.
Franki: I don't have any nasty ones at the mo so it should be safe :)
Antonia: If this doesn't work, and you're really suffering I would say you should see your GP.
Franki: Ooh that's good :). One more quick thing. What's good to use on my face, because I haven't found anything which works yet :(
Antonia: Often using really harsh anti-spot products on your skin (you know all the chemically-smelling ones) can actually make things worse. Your pores over-compensate and start producing more oil, which makes everything worse. Acne is an inflammatory condition - you need something to calm it down.
Franki: I noticed that...they really dry my skin out as well, which is annoying because then moisturising it makes it oily and spotty again. :|
Antonia: Always choose mild, and if possible natural based products. My absolute favourite range is Liz Earle and they have a great light moisturiser that's perfect for teen skins.
Franki: I will try and buy some of that when I am not stupidly poor :) Thank you!
PussyKatty: What's the best way to get rid of blackheads? The Bioré cleansing pore strips haven't worked for me.
Antonia: Blackheads are in fact pores blocked with your skin's natural oils - the black bit comes from the fact it's been oxidised by the air. Firstly, don't squeeze or pick them - you'll just push the oil further in and probably cause a spot. Bioré doesn't work for everyone, I find.
Antonia: The best thing, after a shower or bath when your pores are open, is to use a sterile blackhead remover (Body Shop used to do one) to target the worse ones. In general use oil-free face products to keep them at bay. Sadly they're just a fact of life (and skin). Hope that helps!
Ashley: Right now for a question - how can I get rid of scars which have been left as a result of a big nasty spotty?
Antonia: A great product I used after I had Chicken Pox is called Rosa Mosqueta oil - you can buy it online. It's full of essential fatty acids that are vital for supple and glowing skin. Or you could buy Vitamin E oil capsules, break one open and apply it directly to your skin. Vitamin E is a key nutrient for your skin. That sound OK?
Ashley: Which one is best out of the two options?
Antonia: I don't think there's a 'better' one but Rosa Mosqueta is quite expensive. Another great tip is to make sure you're eating lots of fresh fruit and veg, drinking water and eating healthy oils like olive oil. They help heal your skin inside out.
Ashley: Okie doke thanks.
Kangoo: I've found that applying a small drop of vodka with cotton wool to my face after I've washed it keeps it less greasy and closes my pores. Is it ok to do this?
Antonia: I suppose it's possible - but I've never heard of it!
Jarvey: Does face scrub actually help remove blackheads?
Antonia: No, I'm afraid not... Face scrubs remove dead skin on the surface of your skin. Blackheads are more deep-rooted.
Ashley: Ooh I love the apricot scrubby one.
Antonia: I've mentioned this before but treating your face with scrubs can actually have the opposite effect... They can dry it out and your pores will over-compensate by producing more oil, so the cycle continues. Don't squeeze your blackheads, you'll make them worse. After you've had a bath or shower and your pores are open, use a sterile blackhead remover to get rid of the worst ones.
jarvey: Thanks.
Ashley: So if I get the cleanser and moisturiser off this Liz Earle site my skin will be beautiful and radiant - because at the price it is I would expect it to!
Antonia: Really the best thing you can do for your skin (and the cheapest) is looking after yourself - eating well and drinking plenty of water. No products will 'give' you radiant skin. They help boost it...so really address your diet first and then find a mild natural-based product range (there are plenty of cheaper ones you could try like Boots Botanics.)
jarvey: I take medication for acne on my back, are there other things I could do to help it?
Antonia: Like I was saying before, your skin is like a window to your health. I'd really recommend eating plenty of fresh fruit and veg - packed with nutrients like Vitamin C that help your skin to heal.
jarvey: Cheers will do.
Ashley: Also I am prone to get spots always in the same place - right on my forehead which is a bugger. How can I avoid the spots coming - is it because of make up? Or because I don't religiously moisturise?
Antonia: Your forehead is part of the T-Zone on your face - the most oily parts (your forehead, nose and chin). Try using oil-free makeup and once a week use a clay-based face mask to unclog your pores.
Ashley: Clay based? right ok that's a new one - will do! What can I do to get rid once they are there?
Antonia: Don't pick them for starters. Maybe you keep getting them in the same place because you're pushing the blockage deeper into your skin. Try an anti-bacterial spot treatment - you know the ones you see advertised all the time, don't touch spots and try the oil-free make-up thing!
Fiona: Why is eczema worse in winter? Is it because of central heating?
Antonia: Partly, yes. Central heating plus the ravages of the weather really dry out your skin. Plus, you're not getting the Vitamin D your skin needs from the sunshine. Try eating more good fats - so oily fish, nuts and seeds, avocado to lubricate your skin from the inside.
**helen**: Thanks a lot Antonia - bye for now :-)