21 (Fun, Beauty) Questions answered by MK, Founder of Beauty Pie

Wondering if there’s really a solution for under-eye bags or if face oils beat rollers for massage? This Q&A covers it all, with honest, practical advice for every skin type and concern straight from MK, our founder (she began her career as a facialist to the stars including Madonna, Oprah and Christy Turlington - so it’s safe to say she knows a thing or two about skincare)...

Q1. Does anything really get rid of dark circles and under-eye bags?

A: Yes, absolutely! There’s one clinically proven ingredient, Eyeliss, which at a 3% concentration in an eye cream formula is ideal for dark circles and under-eye treatment. Used regularly, it visibly reduces puffiness around eyes and helps diminish the appearance of dark circles. Studies highlight noticeable improvements in as little as 15 days, with optimal results after 8-12 weeks of regular use. You can find 3% Eyeliss in this eye cream and the serum that surrounds these under-eye gels.

Q2: Can I shrink my pores, or is that a myth?

A: Pores don’t ever shrink, but they can be cleaned out, and the skin around them re-elasticised so your skin looks smoother and more flawless. Try: Fruitizyme Five Minute Facial (to clean them), Niacinamide Superdrops (to rebalance your oil glands), and Wonderfilter Velvet Finish Primer (to instantly disguise them! P.S. this stuff also blurs vertical lip lines).

Q3: What’s better: massaging face oil in with your fingertips, or a fancy face roller?

A: Both do the job, but using a cooling Facial Roller can give a little extra oomph, can help de-puff and has multi-angled grooves to help stimulate lymph drainage and really relax your facial muscles. But hey, you do you.

Q4: Can I ever really stop breakouts, or is my skin just out to get me?

A: You really can stop them - barring any major physiological or hormonal concerns - for which you may need professional (a derm’s) help. Use AcidEnzyme Cleanser  on blemish-prone areas on your face (and any body bumps) a few times a week to sort out dead cells and sticky sebum, and use Oxygen Mask as a regular preventative 20-minute anti-blemish, detoxing treatment.

Q5: Do I actually need a separate eye cream?

A: The skin around your eyes is actually thinner, and contains fewer sebaceous glands, so dehydration and slow circulation can show up faster than on the rest of your face. I use Triple Hyaluronic Acid Elastic Lifting Eye Serum, during the day to pump up my hydration levels - and because it works on my upper eyelid sag, and Youthbomb Retinol Eye Serum in the evening, for wrinkle repair, puffiness prevention, elasticity boosting. Killer combo!

Q6: How many face masks is too many?

A: I use my LED C-Wave Mask (sold out again, but new shipments dropping soon –  join the waiting list now) followed by either a Triple Hyaluronic Acid Sheet Mask for hydration or a slather of the Japanfusion Bio-Ceramide Mask (which is also amazing as an overnight mask, over your Retinol). Also totally love the Oyxgen Mask as a post-shower skin boost a couple of times a week!

Q7: How to tell if skin is dry or just dehydrated?

A: Dry skin is skin that is permanently dry, so ‘low oil’ with a tendency to be dull and/or flaky. Dehydrated skin is skin that’s temporarily lacking in moisture, but isn’t always dry. One of the easiest ways to tell which you are is by looking at the pores on your t-zone. If you can see them easily, you’ve got some oil, so will likely be more combination than dry and you might simply need a serum for moisture. If your pores are really small, or even invisible, it’s likely your skin type is dry, and you might need to add ceramides and/or oil.

Q8: Can you become addicted to moisturiser?

A: Yes. I know this, because I’m addicted to Youthbomb Breakthrough Repair Cream and Youthbomb Biologic Collagen Cream. Should we start a support group? At least we look good!

Q9: What’s the worst that happens if I don’t remove my makeup?

A: TBH, you’ll wreck your pillowcase, risk some bacteria buildup and probably have a dehydrated face in the morning. If you’re lazy at night, I recommend putting a stack of these Cleansing Cloths by your sink, rubbing this Pure Transforming Cleanser on all over, and removing your makeup quickly with a damp cloth. 30 seconds. And you’ll be so glad you did.

Q10: Does smiling cause wrinkles?

A: Good grief. Smiling makes you look radiant, and that’s the biggest anti-ageing benefit there is. Be as expressive as you like (however, DO keep the Vitamin C and Retinol and SPF in your skincare routine to ensure your skin stays nice and elastic, all around). Youthbomb Collagen Peptide Cream is also just absolutely excellent.

Q11: What’s the must-have product for any skincare routine?

A: As long as you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding,  you should be using Vitamins A, B & C in your daily skincare routine – so we have a kit – called the Alphabeticals Starter Kit - that contains all three. I recommend everyone (so long as you can use Retinol – i.e. you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding or under the care of a dermatologist) to start with that, and a daily SPF.

Q12: Can I wash my face with just water if I don’t wear makeup?

A: Ideally, to rid your skin of excess oils, skin dulling keratinised cell buildup, and any traces of pollution, you’d use a cleanser in the evening. (It’s easy to get away with ‘just water’ for your morning cleanse.) Try any of our milky or transforming cleansers which are super easy to use!

Q13: My skin is quite sensitive, so I’m scared to try Retinol. What can I use instead?

A: Good news! You can use Beauty Pie Retinol! Start with Super Retinol + Vitamin C Night Renewal Moisturizer.  Remember, only use it in the evening, and use a moisturiser like Happy Face Cica Moisture Cream in the morning, under a really good sunscreen. The Retinol in all Beauty Pie Retinol formulations is micro-encapsulated - so you get an effective but slow-release, non-redness-causing treatment. From there, if you want to shift up, you can opt for the Super Retinol Serum every evening, and use a moisturiser on top.

Q14: I’ve got oily skin so I don’t want a rich night cream but do want anti-ageing. What would you suggest?

A: Shinkai Electrolyte Drench is a great anti-ageing moisturiser for oily skins. As is our Super Healthy Skin Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream. If later, you want to go up a gear, using Super Retinol Serum underneath any of these will deliver even more anti-ageing!

Q15: What’s more important: good genetics or good skincare?

A: Both! And staying out of the sun. UV radiation is responsible for approximately 80-90% of visible skin ageing -often called ‘photo-ageing’ because it’s distinct from the natural ageing process and includes wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, loss of elasticity, and uneven skin texture.

Q16: What are the biggest skincare mistake people make when they're in their 30s?

A: Sunburns. Suntans. Sun exposure. Not wearing SPF. Clear?

Q17: How often should I exfoliate, and will my face fall off if I overdo it?

A: In general, the oilier your skin, the more you might need to exfoliate. Our Wonderscrub Micro-Dermabrasion Polish is gentle but also a powerhouse resurfacer. Start once a week, scrubbing onto on damp for about five minutes (before you shower). You can increase to twice a week if you need to.

Q18: Do I really need to double cleanse, or is one cleanse enough?

A: Totally up to you, but if you wear makeup, SPF and/or live in a city, you might want to try cleansing twice. The first one removes makeup and surface dirt, the second can be a longer, massage-ier, balmier cleanse, where you don’t have to worry that you’re rubbing your 15-hour-old foundation into your face. But as long as you cleanse and rinse thoroughly, you should be good. P.S. at Beauty Pie, we make the best face cleansers.

Q19: Do I really have to wear SPF, even if I’m not going outside much?

A: Yes. Yes. Yes. Because you might end up being outdoors more than you thought. Or be sitting by a window. Or driving. And you know what? Better just to take the brainwork out of it and just apply SPF every day, no matter what. Plus, if you can see your way across a street, there’s light outside that will photoage your face. Hate sunscreen? Try the Traceless Mineral SPF30 - you won’t even know you’re wearing it.

Q20: Do lash serums work?

A: We get some excellent ‘before and afters’ from our Lash Fuel XL serum, which does not include prostaglandins, so won’t irritate your skin, or turn your irises a darker colour. The secret? Apply to lashes (and brows, if you feel like it) morning and/or night, and be consistent – and you’ll start to see results in as little as 2 weeks.

Q21: What do toners do?

A: Old-fashioned toners were about alcohol, removing non-rinseable cleansers, stripping skin and tightening.  Modern toners (we call them mists, or essences) are either about gentle daily resurfacing (for oily/blemish-prone skin use our Dr Glycolic Toner) or adding instant hydration and soothing (for dry combination or sensitive skin use our Japanfusion Rehydration Mist or Jeju Daily Rehydration Mist). Also, because water hitting your skin will simply dehydrate it, misting a toner on immediately after a shower is a good habit to have.

Have a skincare/haircare/beauty question for MK? Email us!