Skin therapist Luus van @sproetonline: 'Don't make it too difficult or too expensive, really not necessary'

Via freckle gives hskin therapist Luus van Eck provides independent skin advice and shares information about which well-known cosmetic products and brands you would rather leave behind. We asked her 5 questions about the skin, products to avoid and what her own skincare routine consists of.

Of @sproetonline Luus is the online skin expert to follow, if you ask us. We find the dissenting voice that she gives for brands that make unbelievably good claims about their own products super interesting and very important, just like the well-known products and brands they use. exposed with regard to their harmfulness. We believe that knowledge about your own skin and what it does and does not respond to well is the basis of healthy skin. You can't use misleading marketing tricks with that.

1. Why is it important for you to share this information about the skin and harmful products?

During my skin therapeutic internships I noticed that many clients invested in expensive skin treatments, but then used the wrong home products, which still worsens the condition of your skin. I think that's such a shame. In addition, I am really annoyed by meaningless cosmetic advertisements that promise results that a cream will never be able to deliver, such as: 'visibly fewer wrinkles within 2 days', or '98% of women experience an improvement in the skin structure'. All nonsense.

Every influencer is also allowed to shout and promote anything on social media without having any background or knowledge of the product. This makes it increasingly difficult for consumers to find the right products. I hope to change this with Sproet by giving advice from a professional rather than commercial point of view. With knowledge and transparency I want to save consumers time, disappointment and above all money.

2. There is so much information out there about skin that it's hard to tell what to believe and what not. What are your tips for doing your own research?

Look at where the information you read comes from and sometimes take the advice of people who don't specialize in this with a grain of salt. Advice from the beautician or skin therapist is more reliable and comes from an independent party. In addition, there are a number of databases where you can check ingredients from cosmetics, such as incidecoder.

Of course you can always take a look at my website sproetonline.nl† Here you will find free customized product advice for many different skin types, with examples of products that can really do something for your skin.

3. What do you pay attention to when you have a (new) product in your hands?

First check whether the product is perfume, fragrance and alcohol free. The product should actually not smell good and preferably even a little smelly. In addition, it is good to pay attention to the type of packaging. Antioxidants such as vitamins C, E and niacinamide are very sensitive to light and oxygen and do better in an airtight container such as a tube or pump than in a jar.

Finally, it is good to take a closer look at the ingredients list. Do you buy a cream because it contains vitamin C? Then look at the placement of this ingredient in the order of the ingredient list. The earlier vitamin C is mentioned, the higher the concentration of vitamin C used in that product is.

4. What are 5 things to keep in mind for someone with sensitive skin?

1. Avoid perfume, fragrances (essential oils) and alcohol. These substances only make your skin more sensitive.
2. Spread calming ingredients such as niacinamide, licorice root extract, allantoin, or oatmeal.
3. You want to keep your skin barrier healthy. This layer protects your skin against all kinds of harmful external influences. You can do this with nourishing ingredients that help protect your skin such as omega fatty acids and shea butter.
4. Do not use scrubs! This not only removes the dead skin cells from your skin, but also affects the healthy skin cells underneath.
5. Avoid peel off face masks. They break your skin barrier.

5. Do you have a skincare routine? What does it consist of?

Yes, of course! But it consists of fewer steps than you might think. A ten-part step-by-step plan, such as the well-known Korean skin care routine, is not necessary at all. In fact, I think this will only make your skin restless.

Morning

1. I clean my face with lukewarm water
2. Then I apply day/night cream
3. I use sunscreen every day (SPF 50)
4. Then I apply makeup

Evening

1. I clean my face with a cleanser
2. Then I apply an exfoliant that I leave in for 2 minutes
3. Finally, I reapply my day/night cream.

Pretty simple, right? Sometimes I adjust it slightly to the needs of my skin. In the summer, for example, I drip an antioxidant-rich oil through my day cream as extra protection against the sun. And in the winter I focus again on dry spots that are caused by the cold by applying a protective lip balm and hand cream.

Do not make your routine too difficult or too expensive, because this is really not necessary. With just a good cleanser, moisturizer, exfoliant and sunscreen, you have everything your skin could possibly need.

Find Luus on Instagram @sproetonline and check out her website sproetonline.nl for free, independent, tailor-made product advice.