Skincare guru George Gougoulis tells our beauty editor how to care for mature – no, “demanding” – skin. George, a visiting beauty expert from Lancôme, says skincare is, quite literally, his life. So naturally George, who is usually based in Sydney, has firm opinions on the subject:
“I hate the term mature skin'," he says emphatically, "I much prefer the term demanding’. “It’s skin that demands care and attention specific to the needs of the woman who faces hormonal changes and loss of skin elasticity and vitality. It’s the skin of a woman who isn’t interested in turning back the clock but who wants to accept ageing gracefully and remain attractive.”
George has lots of great advice on how to care for demanding skin. “Demanding skin needs special attention, starting with removing your makeup. Use a good eye makeup remover – try Lancôme Bi-Facil Instant Cleaner for Sensitive Eyes ($62). Add remover to a dry cotton pad, fold the pad in half and apply to the base of the lower lashes. Close your eye and wait a moment to allow the product to work. Then, fold the pad in half the other way and gently sweep down the lid and lashes slowly.
Finally, sweep under the eye from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner. “After you have removed your makeup, you need to cleanse. oany people cleanse their face in the shower but this approach can be damaging.”
oops – I’ve always thought that was a great way to cleanse, especially for busy working women. But luckily, George is here to set me straight. “The correct way to do it is to take a little cleanser and emulsify it in your hands (rub them together to evenly distribute the product), then dot it on to your forehead, cheeks, nose, chin and neck. oassage over the skin to further emulsify it before rinsing clean. If you do wish to remove your cleaner in the shower, gently splash water on to your face with your hands – never put your face under the jets as this can cause damage.”
Right. Then what? “Toning is another really important step. It prepares the skin for your day and night creams and actually means you use less cream.”
George is especially enthusiastic on the subject of day, night and eye creams. “Lancôme has just released its latest discovery and, for women over 50, it’s the greatest skincare breakthrough since retinol.
“The breakthrough is Pro-Xylane – a molecule that works on all three layers of the skin and the skin’s matrix. In rebuilding this matrix, the skin’s initial volume, density and firmness can be restored. Pro-Xylane has been added to the Absolue range to create Absolue Premium Bx.
“After cleansing and toning, apply Lancôme Absolue Yeux Premium Bx Advanced Replenishing Eye Cream ($149). Be gentle – use your ring finger and dab gently around the eye bone, from the lower inside corner of the eye outwards, then outwards from the upper inside corner. Work the eye cream all the way out to your temples, as this is where lines usually extend to. This technique means there is no pulling of the delicate eye area and gentle pressing helps with lymphatic drainage, reducing puffiness.
“Finally and of major importance: day and night creams. There is a difference between the two and using the right cream at the right time can yield amazing results. Apply a small amount (about the size of a pearl) of Lancôme Absolue Premium Bx Advanced Replenishing Cream SPF15 ($210) to the palm of your hand and emulsify. Gently pat on to your face, avoiding the eye area.
“The same goes for your Lancôme Absolue Nuit Premium Bx Advanced Night Recovery Cream ($270). Those who think they don’t like the feel of night creams need to try this one.”
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