For those of us who once had a very oily skin in their twenties, may now, in their thirties, notice the skin behaving more drier than oily and perhaps the appearance of fine expression lines are beginning to be noticed. Or sensitivity may be present, perhaps products that you once used to use, can no longer be tolerated on your skin? All of these changes within our skin can be effectively treated whist helping to prevent the inevitable ageing concerns that so many of us dread by simply taking the time to educate ourselves on the best skincare we can use.

It is now time to banish those all-in-one face wipes and concentrate on committing to a more advanced routine to ideally include a cleanser, toner, moisturiser, exfoliator, mask and eye product – did you know that our eyes start to deteriorate at the age of 16, therefore it is advised to be using an eye product from this young age, this is something that most people do not realise and would only start to think about using later on in life. Neck and bust creams and lip products may also be worth thinking about as these delicate areas often notice the signs of ageing earlier than other parts of the body.

By using a professional line of skincare, you can be sure that the product will be more advanced and contain a higher grade of ingredients. Using a professional skin care line will enable you to achieve a better more advanced result in a shorter space of time, professional products also tend to lend themselves to a variety of complex skin conditions so its important to know what your concerns are and convey this information to your therapist who can speak to you about the recommended course of treatments and products specifically tailored to you.

As a general rule, sensitivity within the skin should always be treated first, as sensitivity can lead to premature ageing and hypersensitivity, this is not to say that other concerns can’t be treated, however, as a therapist, sensitivity is something that needs to be strengthened and controlled immediately. As we age, the oil content within our skin does tend to reduce, therefore dryness or dehydration may be something that is also noticed within the skin, it is worth remembering that as the seasons change this can dramatically change and alter the skin, I would strongly advise to book in for a skin analysis or consultation so see if treatment courses and homecare products need to be reviewed as this is something that often a lot of people benefit from.

When selecting products to deal with skin complaints for people in their thirties, looking for products with anti-ageing ingredients is key. Preventative ageing is often what’s thought about, our skin is at its peak at the age of 26, after this age we loose on average 1% of collagen from our skin, therefore I would highly recommend feeding the skin with as many actives that focus on putting the brakes on ageing. Ingredients such as marine collagen will work at plumping out fine lines and wrinkles, it also delivers a burst of hydration to the skin, other ingredients such as evening primrose oil and blackcurrent seed oil feed the lipid layer, this is the protective layer that surrounds each of our cells and prevents water loss and hydrates and protects the skin cells enabling the cell to function much more effectively. Appling a serum or concentrate under your moisturiser can positively impact the complexion by introducing ingredients such as vitamin C and retinol, this can magically change the skin to function better, brighten the complexion and keep the skin looking youthful for longer.

Eye products are an important part of a daily routine, when applying eye products this is often something that many people get wrong or apply incorrectly. The delicate eye area can only take a small amount of product, therefore a grain of rice sized amount is enough for both eyes, this product should be tapped around the eye bone, using the upper brow bone and upper cheek bone as a guide, this is as close to the eye that you should be applying eye product. The way the skin works around the eye area is to draw the product in towards the eye, if you are applying too much too close, then this can have negative effects rather than positive ones due to the eye being overloaded with product very often resulting in puffiness, soreness and irritation. Ingredients such as arnica, vitamin C and magnesium work wonders around the eyes, restoring vitality, brightness and youthful eyes. For those specifically concerned with fines lines and expression lines then marine collagen would be an added benefit and a reduction in lines and wrinkles would be noticed.

For those people suffering with puffiness, tired eyes or for those concerned with fine lines and wrinkles and perhaps don’t have too much time on their hands to go for professional in salon eye treatments, then applying Active Collagen eye patches will really help to revitalise the eye zone.

During our thirties our bodies can go through some big changes, pregnancy being the main one that can have a dramatic effect on the skin and the way it acts. During pregnancy our hormone levels change, therefore causing the skin to be ‘unpredictable’, for some expectant mothers the skin can appear bright, glowing with health and vitality, however for others the skin can become oilier, congested or become very sensitive.

During pregnancy I would always recommend using products suited to sensitive skins, it is definitely worth avoiding any products that will cause a detoxing effect, such as stimulating essential oils and acids such as salicylic or glycolic. During pregnancy, some people can notice an increase in pigmentation within the skin, often moles will appear darker and new ones may be noticed. For some women the pregnancy mask can appear which is a large patch of pigmentation most usually noticed over the forehead, although sometimes can be seen on the cheeks and upper lip. The best advice during pregnancy is to ensure you are wearing an SPF on a daily basis, SPF 15 is the required protection for everyday use, but if you are specifically out in the sun or away on holiday, then an SPF 30 would come highly recommended.

For people in their thirties who do not have the time for a complex daily skincare routine but who still require some extra TLC for their skin, then using an exfoliator and mask once to twice a week to remove dead skin cell build up, whilst boosting the skin with vitamins and minerals will benefit. As we age our desquamation process slows down, therefore keeping up with regular exfoliation will enable the skin to function much more effectively and promote. Applying a mask to the skin for 10 minutes once or twice a week is like giving yourself a facial at home. There is a variety of different facial masks available dependant upon skin type, so ensuring you are selecting the correct one for your skin and its concerns is key, but again this is something that can be discussed with a trained professional.

Most salons and spas will be happy conduct a skin analysis to give you advice and homecare recommendations for your skin type and concerns. Speaking to a professional and allowing them to have a closer look at your skin, will enable you to hear their educated opinion and should then guide you in the right direction to youthful, flawless looking skin.

Ideally giving yourself longer than 3 months will ensure your skin has adequate time to adjust to new ingredients and of course, allows you to experience even more lovely treatments!

What ever your skin type, there are products suited to everyone to achieve the desired results. At MONU Skincare we have some bridal must have products to keep the skin looking and feeling its best – let’s also not forget the Mother of the Bride and Bridesmaids too!

MONU Micro Exfoliant 100ml - This dual action exfoliator works by sloughing dead skin cells from the skins surface therefore enabling enhanced penetration of other products. The papaya enzymes within this formulation, will work at lightening and brightening and evening out skin tone and texture leaving the skin glowing with radiance and vitality. Recommended to be used 1-2 times per week.

MONU Beauty Balm 50ml – This incredible product provides instant radiance and a perfect boost to ‘wake up’ the complexion. This product smells divine due to the essential oils of neroil and sweet orange. Because of the milk proteins within the product, this induces a tightening action on the skin due to an invisible veil being formed over the skins surface, causing the contours of the face to lift and tighten. Applied over moisturiser in the morning.

MONU Illuminating primer SPF 15 50ml – This light reflective primer containing soft focus technology brightens the complexion and adds instant sheen and radiance whilst preventing sun damage and premature ageing. A product to be applied under makeup in the morning to perfectly prep and prime the skin for a flawless, airbrushed looking skin.

MONU Active Collagen Eye Patches 5 pairs – Suited to all skin types these are a must running up to the big day. Applied under the delicate eye area, these 99% pure collagen eye patches have instant hydrating and wrinkle smoothing results. They also deal with dehydration lines, tightness and restore comfort around the eye contour. Once applied, they can be left in place for 20 minutes and then simply removed; it is then advised to follow with the application of an eye product.

Renu Flash Relax Mask 100ml – Packed with vitamins and minerals such as marine magnesium, vitamin C, algae extract and siberian ginseng extract, this mask is a must for the bride, her mother and her bridesmaids. This mask works from the first application at lightening, brightening, relaxing fine lines and wrinkles, evening out skin tone, increases hydration and lifts and tones the skin – a face lift in a tube! A 10 minute application is all that is needed and this can be carried out up to twice a week.

In our 20’s, although hormones within our bodies tend to balance out, due to the fast paced lifestyles so many of us lead, our skin can come up against many problems.

When it comes to treatments and products, there are so many available it can be difficult to know which ones to use. Firstly professional product and treatments will always give a better result as the formulation and ingredients used are more advanced and the activity levels are higher too, giving a better result in the skin; professionally developed products and treatments have had the research and time spent to ensure the best results are achieved.

Dryness and Dehydration are two very different concerns, although can appear similar; dryness is a lack of oil within the skin which is more difficult to treat and dehydration is a lack of water which can be much easier to treat, sometimes increasing your daily water intake can be enough to treat this. Ingredients to compliment a dry/dehydrated skin would include Hyaluronic Acid, Royal Jelly, Vitamin E and Shea Butter, if a dry or dehydrated skin is left untreated, then this can lead to premature ageing and sensitivity. See our range of dehyrated skin care products.

Any oily skin ages the slowest of all skin types, however, with an oily skin, often blocked pores and breakouts can be a problem. Therefore ingredients to compliment this skin type include Witch Hazel, Soapwort, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Camphor and Kaolin; all of which will help to control and balance an oily skin. Extractions should ideally be carried out during professional treatments as this will help to free blocked pores, reduce breakouts and allow ingredients to penetrate into the skin more effectively. See our range of control products for oily and spot prone skin.

Regular exfoliation is key for all skin types so looking at a course of acid peels may be of interest, peels can also be effective at reducing pigmentation, which can often be another concern, especially amongst sun worshipers. If pigmentation is a concern then a course of peels combined with the correct home care can result in a significant reduction of these brown marks on the skin. In addition to this, applying a Vitamin C based serum or moisturiser on a daily basis will not only help to lighten and brighten the complexion and any hyper pigmentation, but is also one of the most powerful ingredients at protecting the skin, therefore this would also have the added benefit to those living in a city or for someone who smokes. See our range of skin defence products.

Once you have decided upon the correct treatment and home care for you, most skin care companies will offer a type of trial pack or beauty bag (see our range of of beauty packs), this allows you around one month’s supply of product for you to sample and see how you get on, however, it is important to remember that it takes your skin on average 3 months to benefit from the full effect of new products.

In our 20’s if our skin is not cared for correctly, this can lead to premature ageing later on in our lives. With free radical attacks constantly damaging the skin and perhaps our diets and stress levels effecting it too, surely a little time educating ourselves on the correct step to take with our skin, will have us reaping the rewards later on in life.

Strong and full of active ingredients, serums should be added to your existing routine. Serums are repair products – they work on deeper level. Choose one specifically targeted to your skincare concerns.

Our Day Rescue Serum helps protect the skin from harmful environmental effects, while promoting a firmer, brighter looking complexion.

Our Night Rescue Serum helps revitalise, nourish and firm the skin.

Our Anti Ageing Instant Smoothing Serum smoothes fine lines and helps firm facial contours for an instant face lift effect.

We now have the ingredients and technology to make a difference to the things we worry about – like uneven skin tone, wrinkles and lack of firmness. It is, of course, impossible for a cream to stop the clock. Its more likely you’ll look well-rested, lines will be less noticeable, and at the very least skin will be properly moisturised. If you can afford only one thing, serums are the best for the maximum anti-ageing hit. Drier skins will require a layering cream on top.

Bridging the gap between skincare and make-up are tinted moisturisers.

Master the basics and give your skin a golden glow with MONU Perfecting Tint SPF15.

Top tips to never look tired – Lighten dark circles with JVG Natural Concealer. Refresh those eyes by using the concealer under make-up along the browline & the bone that encircles the eyes. It's light reflective pigments will brighten the skin. Luminosity is the key to making skin look fresh & radiant.

A common side effect of having too much fun is dulled skin, coupled with dark circles or puffiness around the eyes. MONU Eye Cool Gel is perfect for soothing tired eyes after a night out.