Pigmentation Problems

I started noticing pigmentation on my upper cheek after giving birth to my first child. I applied a whitening serum and slowly, it faded away. But after my second pregnancy, the pigmentation returned with a vengeance!

My daily routine includes a cleanser, toner, whitening serum on the affected area, hydrating serum all over the face, moisturiser and sunblock.

I scrub my face weekly and alternate the whitening serum with a firming or pore refining mask, but my pigmentation is still obvious. The pores around my nose and below my lip clog easily. –Frustrated Mum

According to Dr David Orentreich, Clinique guiding dermatologist, hyperpigmentation is caused by an over production of melanin in a particular area.

Factors like lifestyle habits, diet, stress, lack of sleep, acne scarring, post inflammatory response, medication and hormonal changes can contribute to an over-production of melanin. In your case, it is due to hormonal changes – melasma or chlorasma as it is termed, appear symmetrically usually on the upper lip, cheekbones and the lower chin. Birth control pills and some other medications also impact hormones.

Pregnancy disrupts the hormonal system. After the birth of your first child, your body took time to return to normal. Then, the second pregnancy threw it into disarray again.

As far as the clogged pores are concerned, too many people associate clogged pores with an oily skin. Recent studies show that pores age like the rest of the skin by growing both larger and longer, forming a more elliptical shape as we get older. This is due to both excessive sebum production as well as sagging skin, a result of long-term damage to the underlying skin structure. To minimise pores, it is important to strengthen the skin so that it can better withstand sagging.

A basic skincare routine is important to keep the pores clean as dirt trapped in pores could enlarge them further.

As you have two different skin concerns, and they are due to different factors, you would need two different treatments. To address hyperpigmentation, Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector is recommended. It is formulated to match prescription strength efficacy in lightening dark spots.

Whilst most brightening serums cause dryness, Clinique’s Dark Spot Corrector is infused with powerful antioxidants such as Daniella ensifoliaand is gentle enough for daily use. Our medical testing indicates that after 12 weeks of use, there is a 58% reduction in dark spots.

Clinique will be launching a Pores Refining Solutions Correcting Serum next month that helps to strengthen skin and minimise pores. All Clinique products can be layered, meaning you can apply one serum on top of the other. Remember that sun exposure is one of the main causes of premature ageing so make sure you have sun protection.

Clinique will be giving Frustrated Mum a bottle of Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector worth RM230.

I’m turning 50 next year. I’ve noticed that my skin is getting worse with age. I had acne when I was young and it left me with deep pores and uneven skin. On top of that, fine lines are forming rather rapidly. I have a blotchy and aged look.

I have tried many skincare products but they just make my skin oily and reddish. I also suffer from a number of allergies to chemicals and minerals. I don’t use make-up as it tends to clog up my pores and results in pimples. Out of desperation I have resorted to antibacterial soap, but am told it makes the skin flaky and dry. – Lilian

Yes, antibacterial soap will give you dry and flaky skin, says Guerlain trainer Janet Low, because they usually have medical properties and are harsher on the skin. Your skin is very sensitive and you should be using an organic cleanser that is paraben-free.

Moisturisers are essential to your daily regimen as wrinkles are caused by a lack of water in the skin. Dehydrated skin will produce excessive sebum to balance the moisture level, therefore, at times, it might appear that you have oily skin.

It is natural to have fine lines at your age. Try a light textured moisturiser like Guerlain Super Aqua Refreshing Cream during the day time and a night cream at night. Most women see ageing signs when they are in their 30s, because the skin loses its elasticity and firmness due to work stress, environment factors and pollution. The fight against wrinkles and loss of firmness has been a major focus of Guerlain Research for many years.

Guerlain has highlighted that micro-tears (actual molecular microtrauma in skin tissue) have a role in the formation of wrinkles and loss of firmness.

Professor Desmoulière, a specialist in skin healing and tissue reconstruction, has worked with Guerlain to create Abeille Royale that uses the healing power of Pure Royale Concentrate, royal jelly derived from the black bee.

It has exceptional repairing power to heal the damage caused by micro-tears, and restructure and reconstruct the skin for smoother and firmer facial contours, thereby reducing the visibility of wrinkles on the skin.