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Victoria Beckham is one stylish woman, but all the money in the world has not been able to protect her skin from unsightly pockmarks and scars left behind once her acne cleared.
The scarring and pockmarks caused by acne are a nightmare for anyone who suffers from the condition. However, Victoria Beckham is living proof that it can be fixed without having to turn to Botox, fillers, lasers, chemical peels and various other forms of cosmetic surgery.
Dermatologist to the Hollywood stars Dr Harold Lancer is the person who gave Posh Spice her flawless skin, he maintains that these cosmetic procedures are often abused and all one really needs is a simple three-step approach that includes exfoliating, cleansing and nourishing.
Dr Lancer says that once the acne has gone, people are often left with pitted 'craters' or discolouration in the form of reddish or brown marks. These three steps, when applied regularly, 'convince the tissue to repair itself'.
Exfoliation
Regular, gentle exfoliation stimulates natural protein production in the upper layer of the dermis, increases oxygen flow and encourages enzyme protein production in the stratum cornea - the deepest layer of skin - which triggers self-repair.
Exfoliate each night - or every other if your skin is sensitive - to stimulate cell renewal.
Environ skin care professionals warn that too often people take a vigorous approach when it comes to exfoliation. They advise on taking the gentle approach as it will remove only redundant cells that have served their purpose.
When considering an exfoliator, look for nourishing products containing retinol - a form of Vitamin A - which increases cell production in the skin's top layer. The product should also include Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) which helps to rejuvenate skin.
Read: How to exfoliate properly
Cleansing
Every morning simply cleanse your skin using a cream or mild foaming gel cleanser that effectively removes excess oil from the face.
A great idea is to use a gentle pre-cleansing oil that helps soften sebum and assists in removing environmental pollutants from the skin. Pre-cleanser also assists in decongesting problematic skin.
Read: Cleansing: the start of great skin
Nourishing
After cleansing you will have to moisturise your skin, which will serve as nourishment.
Dr Lancer says you should look for nourishing products containing certain ingredients such as retinol (a form of Vitamin A) which increases cell production in the skin's top layer.
Your product should also include Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) which helps to rejuvenate skin, and Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant.
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