Hayley Barclay chats to Dr Paris Acharya about the best skincare for mums
I always considered myself young-ish looking – until I had my son four years ago. Since then, the ageing process has seriously accelerated. Stress-related redness, lacklustre skin, lack of energy and lots more fine lines
Juggling work, a young family and a home can be overwhelming so it is no surprise so many women feel burnt out – and your skin is one of the first places it shows.
The beauty space is also flooded with miracle serums, masks, collagen wands, treatments and supplements cleverly marketed at time-poor mums who want a quick fix so before you know it, you can also also several hundred pounds down with little to show for it.
So, I wanted to try and cut through the noise and strip skincare down to what really works and what products to invest in.
Based in Marylebone in central London, Dr Paris Acharya, mum to a primary-aged child, is a dual-qualified aesthetic doctor, dentist and former maxillofacial surgeon and recognised for her philosophy of “subtle, biologically-led rejuvenation”.
Sat in her discreet, elegant clinic, and before we got down to discussing treatments and products, I firstly wanted to ask her on a macro level, what she does to reduce stress and maintain equilibrium.
What are good things or good practices that are simple that a busy parent can do day to day?
“Try not to frown”. That’s easier said than done surely?
“It’s impossible sometimes but over time I’ve kind of taught my face not to. Obviously I’ll be expressive – but not too expressive to get that right balance – but I try and actively avoid frowning.
“But I do know we have to show a cross face from time to time.”
Dr Paris said that if you don’t frown, it can be easier to control stress levels because it focuses you on controlling your facial muscles.
She also advocates reducing screen time at night (nothing after 9pm), journaling and dry-brushing every morning.
“I find that in the morning some dry brushing just wakes me up.
“It’s quick, simple, cost-effective and really good for energy and getting that circulation going,” she added.
Supplements are having a moment – there are lots to choose from. What do you recommend?
“I take creatine from Ancient Brave, I find that’s fantastic for giving me a boost of energy. I also take Advanced Nutrition Programme’s Skin Ultimate range, NAD (for metabolism, energy production and DNA repair) from a brand called Artah and for the past six months, Diome to help me relax.
“It looks like a lot of pills but I just keep them on my night stand so they’re right there.
“But If I had to recommend just four, it would be a vitamin B complex, vitamin D, omega and evening primrose.”
What mindful practices are great for new or mums to young children?
“Yoga – I learned yoga principles from my granddad who did it well into his 90s and a lot of it was breathing techniques.
“There’s lots of good online courses and the same for meditation…it’s more getting yourself into that practice and giving yourself the time away from everything.
What little bit extra do mums in particular need?
“Vitamin D is probably one of the key supplements again, especially if you’re breastfeeding. “There are so many hormonal changes around the time of pregnancy and postpartum and then most of us will be into our 30s or 40s and we’ll be starting to go through some of the perimenopausal changes as well.
“I think we have to be really kind to ourselves and think about the fact that it’s not always just stress – sometimes there is a hormonal imbalance at play and it’s worth going to see the GP.”
“I think that’s key because you can’t be a good mum, you can’t be a good wife and you can’t be a good worker if you’re pouring from an empty cup.”
Now, to treatments – what do you recommend?
“So 80% of what our skin looks like is dependent on what we’re doing at home – that’s a huge amount and only 20% is clinic-led so one fail safe treatment I would recommend are a sprinkling of muscle relaxants to help with lines a few times a year – usually pre Christmas and pre summer.
“I also love skin boosters and little mini peels – those sorts of things are great if you’ve got any events or you want a boost.
“I’ve also got some new injectable peptides. Peptides are long chains of amino acids that help our body repair and regenerate, and I’ve got different ones that can be used for age spots, rosacea, hydration, improving skin quality, and contouring.”
What about products?
“There’s a couple of products that you can definitely get over the counter that you don’t have to spend a fortune on and one is definitely cleanser – Cerave is a good, affordable one, it does the job, and you can get the version with azelaic acid if you’ve got a tendency for redness.
AM to PM
“Hyaluronic acid serum doesn’t have to be part of your daily routine but it can help in the winter months when you want a little bit more plumping and hydration and for this there are some really good French brands like Vichy that are created in the Alps so have a high mineral content.
“Vitamin C is good but not for everyone – if you have sensitive skin make sure you choose a water-based one and I would say invest in a decent one like Allskin Med or Obaji – those are my favourites.
“Then pop on a moisturiser or BB cream – doesn’t have to be expensive – and a quality SPF cream. It needs to have good coverage, UVA and UVB protection and a four-star PA rating. “Obaji is the one I use.”
“In the evening I would invest in a good retinol – though not every skin needs it and you could use azelaic acid instead if you’re prone to redness.”
Dr Paris said a two or three step routine is adequate and if you want to stick to high-street brands her favourites are Vichy, La Roche-Posay and Uriage.
She also said serums containing growth factors are great for repairing and regenerating the skin, with PCA Skin and Allskin Med being her go-to.
Dr Paris added that browsing in foreign pharmacies when on holiday is always a good idea as they have lots of products not found here.
“I go to Greek, French and Spanish pharmacies and they’ve got so much available in there so it’s quite nice to have a little shop around”, she added.
Another London clinic on our radar right now
Another place worth a visit and at the forefront of innovative skincare techniques is one of Dr Davd Jack’s London clinics. Impossibly elegant, each one is discreetly tucked away in the City, Belgravia, Harley Street – and now at Liberty’s – and offers everything from a Mindful Facial (co-designed by a hypnotherapist) to state-of-the-art laser technology.
Like many mums, my eyes are where my age is starting to show the most so I wanted something quick, intense with minimal downtime for that area. He recommended his new Bright Eyes treatment – a three-course treatment that targets dark circles, pigmentation and crepey skin using a blend of vitamins and hyaluronic acid to stimulate collagen. It’s quick, painless (using nano-soft needles) with really good results that improve over weeks – think a brighter, more radiant area without the downtime necessary with more aggressive treatment. Bright Eyes goes really well with Dr David Jack’s new retinol eye cream, Stellar, which is also packed with vitamins C and E.
Some other beauty products to watch
Froya Organics – this hyper potent fully-natural brand made from ancient Norwegian and Arctic plants is all over social media right now so I was keen to see what the fuss was about. Froya’s anti-ageing “complete system” (cleanse scrub, day, night and eye balms) contain zero water so you only need tiny amounts and by day three, my skin felt more alive and dewy. It’s why Vikings never aged, apparently!
Nutrition Geeks – With the market awash with supplements, Nutrition Geeks is an affordable all-round brand that offers everything from calming Ashwagandha to Lion’s Mane. Its two-month Glow Up bundle – including biotin growth, collagen and vitamins D3 and K2 – is just £30 and comes in eco-friendly pouches that are easy to travel with.
Odylique – This organic beauty brand, created in 1984 from a Nottingham herbalist’s kitchen, has some fabulous new make up out – a buildable, cream foundation that evens out redness and a nude, mineral lipstick that doubles as a hydrator made with jojoba and Fairtrade shea.
Endocare Radiance C Feruli Serum Gel – a lovely, fresh-smelling lightweight serum that I have been using instead of traditional Vitamin C for a while that leaves a subtle glow and also helps neutralise free radicals, protecting against photo-induced ageing.
ishga Hydra+ Marine Cream – Another gorgeous organic brand, ishga is a Scottish lifestyle brand made on the Hebridean Islands with seaweed at the heart of its mission. This cream cobones marine-based science ad Lus Nan Laogh, an ancient Hebridean healing remedy, so a real winner.
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