As another example, Issey Miyake and Narcisso Rodriguez (Shiseido) ancillary lines have been touching on treatment skincare. A US research company senior analyst Maria Badescu told me than they are seeing the designer element across all three categories and we have seen the increases in designer fragrances, so they are watching this in skincare.

Maria describes the trend for designer’s skincare as still in its infancy. However, whether the designer name will have credibility to deliver on its promises like a doctor brand is not expected to hinder the brand. The is a question of credibility. With the likes of Chanel, Dior and Yves Saint Laurent well established across the beauty categories, Maria points out, having a designer footing does not disclaim such a brand. The challenge, however, will be selling skincare based on the mystic of the brand.

The mass market is making a lot of effectiveness claims so you really have to distinguish yourself from everyone else with a point of difference and something special to buy into and we do think that designers have that footing that they can build on.

Despite the abundance of activity in fragrance, the designer brand can capitalize on its name for new growth—albeit smaller growth—in the skincare area. We see that the longevity of having a good makeup and skincare brand can really shore up a brand and give it a full-pronged approach. With consumers looking for differentiation, the designer brand brings an element of exclusivity and its cachet of quality to the segment.

Furthermore, younger consumers are using more makeup and skincare products than in the past, with 80% claiming to use skincare before the age of 18 years. In the US, selective skincare represented $2.2bn in sales in 2006 compared to the $1.9bn for fragrances. Skincare is actually the category that is used more by women than any other beauty category. The global appeal of skincare cannot be ignored. The bottom line is that innovation is going to drive any category. And the arrival of designer names in the arena might at least broaden the scope of skincare.

The Laboratoires Dermatologiques Avene deal with sensitive, allergic and hypersensitive skins. Recommended by dermatologists worldwide, all Avene products are classified as dermo-cosmetics, which follow strict guidelines including a medical approach to skincare, and efficacy proven through clinical studies.

Sensitive skin needs daily, essential care to minimize occasional irritation and help restore the skin’s natural balance. Eau Thermale Avene’s essential care offers daily solutions that are formulated with Avene Thermal Spring water to soote and soften as well as rigorously tested raw materials which have been tolerance tested to provide a complete skin care program to help ease the signs and symptoms of sensitivity.

Today we wished to talk about the Cream SPF 30. There are really good things about this foundation, not least the fact that it contains SPF 30. The compact format also means it’s really easy to reapply to top up the sun protection factor and keep your flawless complexion throughout the day.

We love love the compact, it isn’t pretty but it’s just functional and very well thought out. This product is waterproof, so if you’ve got something you want covered, it stays covered, come sweat, rain or a dip in a swimming pool. You have to apply the makeup by patting it on, using a sponge. We would describe the coverage as medium.

When We first tried it it showed up some flaking skin on my forehead but the flakes seem to have almost gone with regular use. This makeup did not cause any breakouts, and We don’t find it irritating or itch-inducing. Although it wears reasonably well you may require a touch-up with it later in the day or evening (easily done since it’s in a compact with).

Best prices found for Avene’s products are on Leguidesante

Mineral makeup is made from naturally occurring minerals like iron oxides, mica powder and titanium dioxide. This means that the ingredients you are slathering on your face on a daily basis come straight from the earth, not from some chemist’s lab. Even better than liquid foundation that is usually sticky and messy, mineral eco-friendly makeup comes in an easy-to-apply powder which covers blemishes and other pesky skin problems flawlessly while still allowing it breathe. Using powder also means there are no nasty oils in your makeup, which is good news for people with extra sensitive skin. Mineral makeup is also less likely to clog your pores and a lot of mineral makeup includes built-in protection against the sun’s UVA/UVB rays, so your face will look stunning and you’ll be protected from the damaging affects of the sun. And forget worrying about your makeup running (powder can stay in place even on the most humid of summer days and is practically water and sweat proof!). Think about it: now you won’t have to layer on sunscreen, foundation and powder. You’ll save yourself time in front of the mirror in the morning and even some cash!

So, what’s wrong with all the other man-made stuff? Research has shown that the Food and Drug Administration in the United States allows ingredients in makeup that are highly chemically processed and man-made (including dyes that make your eyeshadow all those pretty shades!), some of which have been shown to cause a bunch of skin problems and even cancer in rare cases! When you get the man made stuff, you never know what you’re really putting on your face (and when you’ve only got one, it deserves lots of care). Most people who have switched to mineral makeup say they like it better than the conventional stuff they used to buy. For exemple, a majority of persons who have used an eco-friendly brand of lip or eye makeup prefer it over a conventional brand they have used in the past.

For over 25 years, L’Occitane has been using authentic and natural products, and rigorously selects ingredients with the greatest respect for Man, animals and the environment. All of the cosmetic products are formulated with the most natural ingredients available: pure essential oils and (preferably organic) vegetal extracts used as active ingredients. The selection of natural and traceable ingredients is the very core of the company’s product development.

An overwhelming majority of eco-friendly lip and eye makeup users feel that these eco-friendly brand are of higher quality than conventional ones. L’Occitane and Dr. Hauschka lip makeup users say that these brand perform and look better than a conventional brand.

You already have environmental pollutants seeping into your skin each day. Why enable more by using cosmetics and beauty products contaiing harsh chemicals, many of which you can’t even pronounce, much less spell ? Lucky for you, new brands of eco-friendly cosmetics and green beauty products are now available everywhere. These certifiably organic products not only shun ingredients like petrochemicals, synthetic preservaties, mineral oils, pesticide residues and genetically modified additives, but even support local communities where they are produced.

Natural skin care and organic skin care is good for us, the environment and for generations to come.