Beauty & Confidence

Beauty & Confidence

with DR AYAH @lipsticksandteeth

I came across Ayah’s personal Instagram account @lipsticksandteeth and fell in love with her flawless makeup looks but also how she keeps things real. Talking about real issues such as anxiety and mental health. The one that resonated with me the most was about impostor syndrome. This is where you doubt your skills, talents or accomplishments and believe that you aren’t good enough and so imitate others. This has affected me and a large part of this is due to a lack of confidence. It was interesting to read her experience of it. Looking in from the outside, there are things I might have missed and can learn from.

I learnt a little bit more about her skincare journey and came across her professional account @dr.ayah.s. Here she educates her followers about skincare ingredients and treatments as she has a professional background in this. She has studied biomedicine, biochemistry, anatomy, dentistry and physiology at University. She brings this knowledge and experience to the content she creates.

Dr Ayah has also worked as a makeup and skincare consultant for numerous brands at Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. She decided to align her two passions of science and skincare and has completed studies in medical-grade skincare, facial treatments and aesthetics.

1.  Could you tell us a little about yourself and what made you get into skincare?

Of course, my name is Ayah, I am a dentist with a special interest in aesthetic medicine. Skincare attracted me because I’ve always struggled with flawless makeup application. I found I would look on Instagram and everyone’s makeup would be amazing while I would struggle with pigmentation and acne. I didn’t want to keep layering thick products so then thought, hold on a second, let me try and perfect my base. The science aspect of skincare also really enticed me.

2.  How did you decide your career path and what challenges did you face?

I think I kind of fell into it. I didn’t actually want to be a dentist, one of my friends was studying it and I was helping him with his coursework. I then realised that this isn’t actually a bad job! Once qualifying, I missed the beauty and artistic aspect of makeup and tried to find a way to incorporate it into my everyday role. This is when I came across aesthetics and facial transformations.

3.  What is the most common skincare concern amongst teenagers?

100% acne, during this time your skin and hormones go haywire. You find you break out, you’re suddenly oily and in this day and age many teenagers layer A LOT of makeup without actually washing their makeup brushes! Madness I know. Also I think it’s a time in our life when we don’t actually consider skin a priority. We fall into trends rather than sticking to the basics.

4.  What is medical-grade skincare and is it safe to use on teenagers?

So there isn’t actually specifically medical grade. It is prescription only and what I would call clinical skincare. These are products formulated by dermatologist with hundreds of clinical trials tested across all skin types and Fitzpatrick types (all skin colours).  They’re often formulated with evidence-based research and products with a high strength of actives and sophisticated delivery systems which penetrate the layers of skin. Not only this, but they come with the guidance of experts to help you attain the best results.  Often, products bought off the shelf aren’t able to penetrate or reach areas of the skin to give significant results.

5.  What is your most popular skincare treatment amongst teenagers?

For me it would either be the Alumier or Obagi ranges. These offer products catered to teenage skin consisting of acids and hydrators. The Clenziderm system contains benzoyl peroxide but in a patented formula. Meaning it’s excellent at what it does! It helps to reduce inflammation, reduce lesions, help with blocked pores and overall skin clarity! Alumier has very elegant formulations which are nicer to use and look and smell lovely. For me, skincare isn’t always about stimulating my senses, it’s about delivering results. That’s what Obagi does. Alumier on the other hand is a little more ‘gram worthy.

6.  Skin and confidence are often related. What one piece of advice would you give people trying to treat their skin concerns?

Respect your skin, seek guidance and take it easy. You’re not in a race. You don’t want to temporarily correct something and struggle later. The reason I advise you to take guidance is you can literally save by not investing in 100 products that don’t work. Rather than spending time trying things, you can be advised on what will suit your skin, which will hopefully be very effective. I’ve had people try with home remedies and cause their skin to worsen. Something which may have been easily treated now requires a much more aggressive approach.

7.  If you could choose one hero skincare ingredient for teenagers what would it be?

SPF. I wish I started when I was a teenager. The sun makes EVERYTHING worse. Whether that’s acne, pigmentation or general skin health. Plus when your 50 you’ll be so glad you started earlier.

8.  What are your top three budget-friendly skincare?

Cerave range is brilliant. The SA cleanser is good for acne prone skin. Apothaka moisturiser and EVY sunscreen.

9.  If you could go back in time what advice would you give your teenage self?

You’re worthy of anything you want. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t cool, it’s okay that you enjoy learning. It’s okay to ask questions and more than anything its absolutely fine to be yourself. Being yourself with likeminded people to you who will be there forever.