Global Cosmetics News

Street Talk 2026: Skin Care – Episode Ten: Skin Type – Dry Combination

Featuring: Karena

Summary

Karena shares how she manages dry combination skin with a gentle, hydration-focused routine inspired by Korean skincare. Having spent more than 16 years working in the beauty industry, she has simplified her regimen to focus on barrier health, while regular microneedling helps maintain radiance in the face of everyday environmental stressors.

Meet Karena: Balancing Dryness and Oiliness

Karena describes her skin as dry combination, with an oily T-zone and drier cheeks that need consistent hydration.

Rather than trying to treat individual concerns separately, she focuses on keeping her skin balanced with gentle cleansing and regular moisturising.

Pull quote: “I’ve got an oily T-zone, and then I get drier around my cheek area, so I have to make sure I moisturise.”

Back to Basics After Years in Beauty

Having worked in the beauty industry for around 16 years, Karena has tested products from countless brands. That experience has ultimately led her to simplify her skincare routine.

Each evening she follows a structured regimen consisting of:

  • Micellar water or cleansing oil, depending on how her skin feels
  • A second cleanse
  • Toner with a chemical exfoliator
  • Serum
  • Moisturiser
  • Hydrating facial mist
  • Eye cream

She says she increasingly favours Korean skincare, finding the formulations gentler than many conventional products.

Pull quote: “I always take it back to basics. You can’t overwhelm your skin too much.”

Gentle Formulations Take Priority

For Karena, effective skincare isn’t about using more products—it’s about using the right ones.

After years of trying different brands, she believes gentle formulations help maintain the skin barrier while delivering hydration without irritation.

Her routine reflects a wider movement towards minimalist skincare that prioritises long-term skin health over complicated, multi-step routines.

Why In-Store Shopping Still Matters

Although online shopping is convenient, Karena still prefers to buy skincare products in-store.

Being able to feel textures, test formulations and experience products before purchasing gives her greater confidence in her choices.

Pull quote: “I like to touch and feel the product so I know what I’m buying.”

Microneedling for Healthy-Looking Skin

Karena has undergone microneedling around four times and describes it as the only professional treatment she would recommend for herself.

She believes the procedure helps skincare products penetrate more effectively and leaves her skin looking noticeably brighter and healthier.

The glow, she says, typically lasts for several days.

Living in London has also reinforced the importance of maintaining her skin, with pollution becoming another factor influencing her routine.

Pull quote: “The serums penetrate straight into the skin and you get the glow afterwards.”

Although she’s happy with the results, Karena says microneedling is as far as she would go, admitting she’s not comfortable with more invasive cosmetic procedures.

Designing a Skincare Product for Everyone

If Karena could develop her own skincare product, inclusivity would be its defining feature.

Her ideal formula would be:

  • Fragrance-free
  • Soft and nourishing
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Gentle enough for everyday use

More importantly, she believes skincare should be designed without unnecessary labels or limitations.

Pull quote: “Genderless, ageless, raceless.”

For Karena, the future of skincare lies in products that are accessible, effective and suitable for everyone, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity.

Key Takeaways for Brands

  • Consumers are increasingly returning to simple, barrier-friendly skincare routines.
  • Korean skincare continues to influence preferences for gentle formulations.
  • Double cleansing remains popular among consumers exposed to urban pollution and daily makeup.
  • Microneedling is gaining traction as a treatment focused on skin quality rather than dramatic cosmetic change.
  • Inclusive skincare that is fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types continues to resonate across consumer groups.

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Dr Natalie’s Top Ten Anti-Aging Tips to Stay Radiant and Youthful 

Dr Natalie’s Top Ten Anti-Aging Tips to Stay Radiant and Youthful 

Ageing isn’t something you can stop – but you can absolutely manage how you age. While some signs of ageing are natural, many others can be delayed with smart choices. According to Dr Natalie Geary, one of the UK’s most respected aesthetic doctors, small daily habits can have a lasting impact on how you age. 

Dr. Geary is the Founder and Medical Director of Light Touch Clinic Surrey, a well-known doctor-led clinic in the South West of London. She has been at the forefront of non-surgical aesthetic care for over 17 years, having treated more than 20,000 patients and performed hundreds of thousands of procedures. 

Her advice draws from years of clinical practice and patient outcomes – offering practical ways to maintain a youthful appearance through every stage of life. 

Below are Dr. Natalie’s ten tips for staying radiant and well-supported in how you age. 

1. Prioritise restorative sleep 

Poor sleep shows on your face faster than anything else. Data from Oxford Academic research shows that people who do not sleep well tend to age faster and have weaker skin protection.  

Dr Natalie recommends 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep every night. While you sleep, your body goes into repair mode. Skin cells regenerate. Collagen production increases. And your natural glow is restored. 

She personally uses a sleep tracker to monitor her rest patterns. Tools like this can help you build better habits and wake up refreshed. 

2. Manage your stress before it ages you 

Long-term stress increases cortisol. It is a steroid hormone which breaks down collagen. This causes fine lines and dull skin. Dr Natalie recommends meditation, light exercise, and herbs like Ashwagandha to help balance your stress levels naturally. 

Even a short daily walk or 10 minutes of deep breathing can make a difference. Smile more, worry less – it is the cheapest anti-wrinkle solution out there. 

3. Focus on colourful, home-cooked food 

Your skin reflects what you eat. A diet high in fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and whole grains helps fight oxidative stress. These foods contain antioxidants, which slow down the cellular ageing process. 

Instead of sticking to the usual greens, Dr Natalie includes a variety – like peppers, berries, and leafy herbs – to get a full range of nutrients. So, make sure you cook fresh, eat colourful, and avoid ultra-processed foods. 

4. Don’t skip strength training 

As you age, you lose muscle. This lowers your metabolism and can lead to unwanted weight gain. Strength training helps maintain muscle mass. More muscle means better posture, fewer injuries, and tighter-looking skin. 

Harvard research suggests that regular strength training may help slow biological ageing compared to a sedentary lifestyle. 

Dr Natalie recommends lifting light weights twice a week. You don’t have to spend hours in the gym, but it is important to be consistent.  

5. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate 

Dehydration is one of the fastest ways to dull your skin. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. You will notice your skin looks plumper, softer, and brighter. 

For a hydration boost, Dr Natalie also suggests products with hyaluronic acid – often found in high-quality fillers and cosmetic injectables. 

6. Wear sunscreen – Even in the UK 

Yes, even on cloudy days. 

Sun exposure is the biggest external factor in premature ageing. SPF 30 or higher is non-negotiable, says Dr. Natalie. She applies it every morning after moisturising. 

However, she also advises getting 20 minutes of morning sun without sunscreen for natural vitamin D. After that – it protects your skin. 

7. Stick to a reliable skincare routine 

Dr Natalie’s personal skincare formula is quite simple – 

  • A gentle cleanser (ZO cleanser) 
  • ZO exfoliating polish twice a week 
  • Skinceuticals CE Ferulic and Skinceuticals HA Intensifier 
  • Vitamin C serum in the morning 
  • Hyaluronic acid serum at night 

She prefers evidence-based products from medical skincare brands. If you are unsure what suits your skin, visit Dr Natalie’s aesthetic clinic for expert consultation.  

8. Don’t neglect vitamin D 

Most people in the UK are deficient, especially during winter. 

Vitamin D affects more than just your bones – it also influences your mood and skin health. A supplement may help if you are not getting enough sun. 

Dr Natalie takes a small daily dose and recommends regular blood tests to monitor your levels. 

9. Surround yourself with positivity 

The people you spend time with affect how you feel – and how you look. 

Being around uplifting, positive people reduces stress, helps you sleep better, and even makes your face look softer and more relaxed. 

Join a local group, reconnect with friends, or try something new. Mental well-being shows up in your physical appearance. 

10. Keep learning and moving forward 

Trying new things keeps your brain young and your spirit alive. 

Dr Natalie recently took up surfing and travelled to Costa Rica to try new things and keep her adventurous spirit alive. New experiences keep you mentally and emotionally energised. 

So take a class, start painting, or book that trip you have been dreaming about. 

How Light Touch Clinic can help? 

If you are looking for expert advice on slowing down ageing, Light Touch Clinic in Weybridge is one of the South West’s most trusted names. 

This award-winning doctor-led clinic offers advanced aesthetic treatments in a calm, luxury setting. From anti-wrinkle solutions to lip fillers and non-surgical facelifts – everything is handled by medical professionals. 

What sets this aesthetic clinic apart?  

  • Every treatment is overseen by a qualified doctor 
  • The focus is on natural-looking results 
  • They only use FDA-approved products 
  • You get a personalised plan as per your skin goals 

The clinic has built its reputation on safe, evidence-based treatments – from cosmetic injectables to collagen-boosting skin therapies. Their fillers are expertly administered to lift, contour, and soften facial features – without overdoing it. 

If you are in Surrey or nearby areas like Richmond, Kingston, or Wimbledon, it is worth visiting this local gem. 

Final thoughts 

Dr Natalie’s tips are simple but incredibly effective. Sleep well, eat better, move often, protect your skin, and consider support from professionals when needed.  

You can also try anti-ageing treatments offered by aesthetic clinics to look young. Nowadays, there are many advanced treatments available like, derma fillers, laser therapy, injectables, facials and more. But when it comes to trusting someone with your face, choose a doctor-led clinic like Light Touch Clinic Surrey. 

Your best years aren’t behind you – they are ahead. 

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

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