Does eating too much sugar cause bad skin?

Yes, it can, and this can manifest itself as all over-breakouts which are not localised to one area. Breakouts are often linked to hormones, but the connection tends be that when we’re hormonal – we reach for sugary foods! Sugar also causes glycation, whereby sugar inhibits the enzyme that creates collagen.

What should you do if you suddenly experience acne?

A gentle cleanser is essential. Focus on anti-inflammatory products and ingredients, and moisturisers which help strengthen the skin’s barrier using ingredients such as ceramides. Avoid stripping the skin, as this will result in an overproduction of sebum. Try to keep blemish-busting products in the cupboard for when breakouts do appear, otherwise I'd encourage you to try to treat your skin as though it’s a healthy skin, as this tends to encourage a gentle approach.

Should you ever squeeze a spot?

No, you shouldn’t, but we do appreciate that everyone’s human and the temptation can simply be too big to resist. In these cases, only ever squeeze a spot that has a white tip. Make sure your fingers and skin are thoroughly clean, wrap fingers in tissue and squeeze the spot using a lift and roll motion – never push down, as this applies pressure to the lower part of the pore. Clean your skin again afterwards and preferably apply a BHA acid to the area.

How often should you get a facial?

This is really dependent on what you’re working towards. For example, if you’re working with your therapist to tackle pigmentation, then perhaps every other week. If you’re working to retrain your skin type, for example it’s too combination/dry/dehydrated, then every three months allows enough time for your therapist to reevaluate whether the treatments and homecare products they’re recommending are working. If you have a normal, healthy skin type, one facial in line with seasonal changes is enough to ensure you’re looking after your skin properly and tailoring your regimen according to climate and environmental factors.

Is there a difference between dry and dehydrated skin?

Dry skin is often confused with dehydrated skin, so before embarking on a tailored course of action for one or the other, make sure the condition has been correctly identified by a skincare professional. The difference between the two conditions is that dehydrated skin lacks water, while dry skin lacks oil.