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Mariga Sheedy: Posted on 09 April 2013 14:48
 Skincare during pregnancy.
Depending on the skincare routine you are on before becoming pregnant, it may be necessary for you to change some of your products. Skincare containing vitamin A, retinol and salicylic acid are not recommended for use during pregnancy. These ingredients are most often found in products aimed at acne control and anti-ageing. In the Skin Essentials by Mariga range the products containing these ingredients are Overnight Repair Cream, Blemish Control Cream and Salicylic Cleanser. If you are not sure whether your creams have these ingredients please ask your skincare professional for advice. Some professional treatments, particularly peels, will contain various acids so you should let your therapist know before treatment if you are pregnant so that she can tailor your treatment accordingly. Some electrical treatments are also contraindicated but you can still have a lovely, relaxing treatment to help keep your skin nourished and hydrated.
During this time, much of the nourishment that your body receives from your diet can go to your baby so the skin can suffer from lack of nutrients. You can counter this by using products rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. I particularly recommend my Nourishing Oil or Rosehip Seed Oil for this. (You can use these on your tummy too).
Some women will experience pigment changes in the skin during pregnancy. These show up as brown patches on the face often referred to as 'mask of pregnancy'. This is very much down to individual make up and can’t be prevented but using a good SPF30 daily will prevent the marks from becoming permanent through UV exposure.
Some women will find that their skin becomes radiant, especially after the first trimester, giving that pregnancy ‘glow’. For others, unfortunately, the opposite can occur and many women experience a recurrence of long-forgotten acne. As the actives to control breakouts are not suitable for use while pregnant the best that you can do is to keep your skin strong to help reduce the occurrence of spots. Drink plenty of water and use skincare with nourishing oils as above and add a hyaluronic-acid based moisturiser such as my Hydrating Cream to help prevent water loss which can lead to sensitivities and spots. Getting plenty of sleep helps too (while you still can!).
If you are expecting and have any questions about your skin or products please give me a call on 053 9145981 or email marigasheedy@yahoo.com, I’m happy to advise you on the best course of action.
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Mariga Sheedy: Posted on 20 February 2013 12:50
 Next to your skincare products, the most contact your face has with any item is your pillowcase. If you are lucky you have your face pressed into your pillow for up to eight hours a night. That's one third of your life. Have you ever given any thought to the effect on your skin your pillow choices have? Probably not.I have read a lot of articles and adverts over the last couple of years touting the supposed anti-wrinkle effect of sleeping on a silk pillowcase as opposed to cotton or polyester. I have never been able to find any research supporting these claims, quite the opposite, but I can tell you that treating yourself to a silk pillowcase or two is something I heartily recommend. While it doesn't appear to have any actual benefits, it does feel lovely on your skin. I even bring one on holidays with me. Whatever type of pillowcase you choose, it is very important to change it often, even daily if possible, particularly if you suffer from acne or - cardinal sin- don't cleanse your face before bed. Bacteria and debris can build up very quickly from hair products, perspiration, dust (and whatever your children/pets track in!). Really, do you want to put your lovely, clean, moisturised face on last night's hairspray, sweat and shed skin cells? Didn't think so. Finally, I don't recommend using fabric conditioner on your pillowcases. The fragrance can be irritant to skin but also it leaves a film on fabric which transfers to your skin, clogging it up and contributing to congestion in the pores. Now, you're off to change your pillow case, aren't you? :)
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Mariga Sheedy: Posted on 27 July 2012 11:34
 Cleansing cloths, which to choose?
Who would have thought that there were so many options for removing your cleanser? Some like to use cotton wool, some like tissues. Me, I’m a warm cloth fan all the way. There are several types of cloth that you will find on sale for removing cleanser, I will have a look at the pros and cons of each here to help you choose the one for you.
1.Good old-fashioned facecloth. This will do a good job of removing a light to medium makeup and can be used with any cleanser type. Make sure that the cloths you use are soft, a centuries-old hard as nails cloth will be too harsh on your skin. Buy cheap cloths and replace them often.
2.Muslin cloths. These are beloved of the beauty world but for the life of me I don’t know why. I find them too scratchy on my skin and as they are so thin and lose heat very quickly. I have to rinse and repeat several times to remove makeup, adding to the scratchiness. Best used with thick balm-type cleansers.
3.Microfiber facecloths. These are my favourite as they give a deep cleanse and polish without abrasion and one swipe is enough to take off the heaviest makeup. They also stay soft through a lot of wash cycles. I have heard people say that they find that these cloths make their skin feel tight or dry but that is not my experience and I have a dry skin type. Use with any cleanser.
4.Baby facecloths. These are a gentle version of the facecloth and are usually thinner and softer than regular facecloths. A good option if you don’t like the feel of microfiber on your skin. Again, can be used with any cleanser type.
There is no right or wrong as to which type of cleansing cloth you use, do what feels right on your skin but here are some general guidelines whichever you choose:
-Use a clean cloth every day (microfiber are good for 2-3 days as long as they dry completely between uses). -Use warm water, never hot, never cold. -Don’t use fabric conditioner on your cleansing cloth, it will irritate your skin. -You can use a cloth with any cleanser, it doesn’t have to be a special one.
What do you use to clean your face?
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Mariga: Posted on 15 June 2012 10:09
One of the most basic requirements for skin health and youthfulness is water. All the cells and systems of the skin are dependent on the presence of water to function. Drinking eight glasses of water a day is the first step towards having the smooth, radiant skin we all desire.  Many people tell me that they forget or they don't like water or even that they are afraid of having to be near a bathroom all day if they drank the required amount (don't worry, this isn't the case), but there is no other way around it. Skin needs water and the only way to obtain it is by drinking it. Without your commitment to this step the effectiveness of your skincare regime will be reduced. It is perfectly fine to put a few drops of lemon or lime juice in to flavour it if you find that more palatable, it doesn't have to be plain water. Also, any other 'good' fluids that you drink during the day will count towards your total so include juices, soup, soft fruits and some herbal teas* in your diet. The 'bad' fluids are those containing caffeine or alcohol as these are diuretics and will reduce the total amount of available fluid to your body systems. It is best to sip constantly throughout the day to maintain hydration levels. Remember if you feel thirsty this is your body's way of telling you that you are already becoming dehydrated. Drink up and enjoy the benefits to your skin.
*some herbal teas are diuretic, ask in your local health food shop for advice.
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Mariga Sheedy: Posted on 28 May 2012 09:19
 How to use your Skin Essentials by Mariga Cleansers:
1. Skin Comfort Cleanser - for all skin types and makeup removal.
Use one pump of Skin Comfort Cleanser on dry skin to cleanse and remove makeup. Pump into the palm of your hand (it is about 4 drops in total). Take your ring finger of the other hand and apply a drop to each eye area and massage in, this will dissolve even stubborn mascara on contact. Wet and wring out a microfiber cloth or facecloth with warm -never hot- water and remove the now very messy eye make up. (A muslin cloth will work too but I prefer them on clean skin. The facecloth is better to remove makeup). Next (or first if you don’t wear much/any eye make up), take the remaining cleanser on dry hands, massage into dry skin for a few seconds, wet hands, massage again for a few seconds then remove with a cloth as above. This will leave your skin feeling fresh and clean but not tight.
2. Salicylic Cleanser - for congested or acne prone skin or for men prone to ingrown hairs.
Use a small amount of the cleanser on dry skin (5-6 drops). Massage in and leave for 2 minutes to penetrate the pores. Rinse with a warm facecloth. Not suitable for makeup removal or for use around the eyes.
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