Lancome Diagnos Express

By Milly Nolan

I call upon Lancôme’s skincare guru, Karen Barlow, to find out why my skin is so confused at the moment, Milly Nolan blog on MiNDFOOD.

One thing I love about being a beauty editor is having so many skincare products at my disposal. The downside of this, however, is that I am often using products that aren’t designed for my skin type and nor do I give them much chance to work their magic, before I start trying a new one. It takes 30 days for your skin cells to renew themselves so in theory, if you are to put any skincare products to the test, you should give them this amount of time to asses whether they are working or not.

It was clear by the end of last year that my skin was confused and perhaps a little stressed. It looked dull in appearance, was particularly dry around the cheek area and I kept breaking out either around my mouth or between my eyebrows, which was unusual for me.

Wanting to get to the bottom of the problem, I called upon Lancôme’s skincare guru and national training manager, Karen Barlow, to find out what was happening beneath the surface.

THE DIAGNOSIS

Karen used a machine called the Lancôme Diagnos Express to accurately analyse my skin. The Diagnos Express is a scientific skin diagnosis tool that was created in co-operation with Lancôme’s research laboratories. The tool works by instantly measuring the skin’s sebum levels, moisture levels and the skin’s firmness. It can also help visualise lines and wrinkles and the level of UV damage caused by the sun. The idea is that once your skin has been analysed, the Lancôme consultant can then prescribe you products according to your skin concerns.

Using the Diagnos tool, Karen found that while I had a moderately oily T-Zone (which explains the pimples) the skin on my cheeks was incredibly dry and dehydrated. Strangely enough my right cheek was particularly lacking in moisture, which prompted her to ask whether a heater, airconditioning vent or window was to the right of my desk at work – the answer was yes.

Karen explained that this is quite a common occurrence and is proof that environmental aggressors such as the sun and artificial heating/cooling can have a damaging effect on your skin – even through glass. In my case, both a window and a heater are to the right of me, therefore explaining why my left cheek held more moisture. Karen also noted that my pores are barely visible which proves that my skin is fine and lacking in oil. She suggested that the pimples around the mouth were more hormonal than a skin concern.

THE PROGNOSIS

Karen prescribed me a range of Lancôme products that I was to use religiously and long-term. Along with Lancôme’s anti-ageing serum, Genefique, Karen prescribed me products that were specifically designed for dry skin types, such as the Lancôme Hydra Zen range. As well as a daily routine of cleansing, toning and moisturising, I was to use the Lancôme Hydra-Intense Mask three times a week, although avoiding the area in between my eyes and around my mouth where there was more oil.

THE RESULT

Even after the first week of using the Lancôme products, I noticed a huge improvement in my skin. My cheeks felt much softer and the skin more supple – the previous feeling of tightness had subsided. The amount of oil on my T-zone had reduced and therefore the spots cleared up. After a month, my skin no longer felt like it was dying for a drink of water and now, three months later and still using the products, it has settled into normality and looks alive once again.

Note: The cost of the Diagnos Express is $40 for the consultation, but this is refundable on purchasing any Lancôme product. There are several machines that tour New Zealand with Lancôme Visiting Consultants.

The dates that these consultants will be visiting in New Zealand are:

March 4-6: Farmers, Albany; Life Pharmacy, Queensgate, Wellington; J Ballantynes, Christchurch.

March 9-10: Orewa Care Chemist.

March 10-13: Arthur Barnett, Dunedin.

March 11-13: Life Pharmacy, Glenfield.

March 17-19: Lenise Young Pharmacy, New Plymouth; Life Pharmacy, Rotorua.

March 18-20: Life Pharmacy Northlands, Christchurch; Dodds Pharmacy, Christchurch.

March 24-27: Smith & Caughey, Queenstreet.

March 25-27: Kirkcaldie & Stains, Wellington.

April 15-17: Farmers, Lambton Quay, Wellington.

April 21-24: Smith & Caughey on Broadway, Newmarket.

PRODUCTS

LANCÔME HYDRA-INTENSE MASQUE

This gel-like mask contains botanical extracts to help restore moisture balance to dehydrated skin. It helps diminish lines and leaves skin looking smooth and hydrated.

LANCÔME GENEFIQUE YOUTH ACTIVATOR SERUM

By stimulating the production of youth proteins and by boosting gene activity, this serum leaves the skin feeling nurtured and re-texturised.

LANCOME HYDRA ZEN NEUROCALM SERUM

Bringing intense hydration to the skin immediately and for 24 hours after application, this serum helps to fight the effects of environmental and emotional stress on the skin.

LANCOME HYDRA ZEN NEUROCALM FLUIDE

This lightweight fluid cream gently soothes and calms skin and provides intense and long-lasting hydration.

LANCOME HYDRA ZEN EYE

Formulated to reduce puffiness and relieve signs of tiredness, this refreshing eye cream-gel is gentle on the skin.

LANCOME GALATEE CONFORT CLEANSING MILK

This creamy cleansing milk gently melts away make-up and impurities. The emollient rich formula contains honey and sweet almond extract.

LANCOME BI-FACIL

Suitable for contact – lens wearers and sensitive skin, this eye makeup remover conditions and freshens the skin whilst removing even waterproof eye make-up.

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