Ask Aimee: Aimee Answers Your Skincare Questions

Hello gorgeous people! I’m here to answer all your burning skincare questions.

As many of you know, we commissioned a #DirtySkincareReport, where we quizzed almost 3,000 of you on your naughtiest skincare habits which we loved to see, but now we need to right those wrongs - Lots of you got in touch with burning skincare questions you wanted to #AskAimee.. So let’s get into it.

Is it okay to wear makeup while working out?

Short answer yes, but make sure you cleanse after!

Personally, I try to avoid wearing makeup while working out because I find it mixes with sweat and makes my skin feel super congested. 

However, I fully appreciate that some of you might want to wear makeup to the gym to feel your best and boost your confidence. My advice would be to keep it light and full of skincare ingredients, think HydraTint, and, whether you wear makeup or not, always give your skin a thorough cleanse after working out. 

Over the years, my dermatologist has stressed the importance of cleansing after a sweaty workout session to prevent breakouts. Between running and regular gym classes, I’d say I’m pretty active, so I always carry a DuoCleanse Cleanse & Brighten and a cloth in my gym bag to make sure sweat doesn’t accumulate and cause blemishes.

What happens when you sleep in your makeup?

Whether you’ve had a big night out or you’ve been working late at the office, the temptation to curl up in bed without cleansing your skin is one everybody’s given into at times – even me! When I was younger I slept in my makeup on a few occasions and each time I woke up with some form of breakout. That’s because leaving makeup on overnight can trap dirt, bacteria, and excess oils in your pores. It can also leave your skin dry, dehydrated, and irritated. 

My top tip? Make the experience one you love! I look forward to cleansing now, and with gorgeous formulas, and a headband and cuffs the ritual is one I really enjoy. Make it the first thing you do when you come in every evening instead of waiting to just before bed. Believe me, your future self will thank you!

Why should I bother double cleansing?

Cleansing your face every day is so important to remove dirt, oil, and makeup and keep your skin looking fabulous. While washing your skin with one cleanser in the morning can be sufficient if you’re bare-faced and in a rush, I recommend double cleansing in the evening to properly remove any residual makeup and impurities, and get in there with an active to help you reach your skin goals. 

I’m always on the go, so we’ve made sure DuoCleanse is super simple to use by combining two formulas in one component. It’s double cleansing Sculpted style! The addition of active ingredients in our DuoCleanse variants – such as Vitamin C, AHAs and BHAs, and Salicylic Acid – allows you to easily pick the formula based on the skin type you have and the skin goals you want to achieve.

Can’t I just use makeup wipes to clean my skin?

Definitely not! I’m so ashamed to say, I used wipes to remove my makeup for about three years. I’ve since learned my lesson. Makeup wipes don’t properly cleanse your skin and get deep into the pores, so I stay away from them now completely. Not cleansing your skin properly is one of the worst things you can do for it. It allows dirt to stay in the pores, sebum to build up and can cause all sorts of skin dullness, congestion or blemishes. 

 PERFECT FOR: Dull skin that needs a brightening boost and those with an uneven skin tone.

 PERFECT FOR: Reducing redness and rebalancing oily or blemish-prone skin. 

 PERFECT FOR: Reducing the appearance of blackheads, and improving the texture of oily, dry, or combination skin. 

I use a facial cloth to cleanse my skin. How often should I wash it?

I love using my Sculpted Cleansing Cloth to remove any residual makeup after I’ve massaged DuoCleanse into my skin. I wash them regularly, and usually have 3-5 on the go so that I always have a clean one to hand.

Can I use Retinol after using DuoCleanse?

Yes! Retinol should be applied to clean skin to achieve the maximum benefits and all of our DuoCleanse formulas are safe to use beforehand. Simply double cleanse your skin with your chosen DuoCleanse system, then apply your Retinol product as directed. Just remember to use Retinol at night and follow with SPF the next day as Retinol increases sensitivity to the sun. 

Can I use DuoCleanse if I’m taking Roaccutane?

Everyone’s skin and sensitivity levels are different so while using Roaccutane or any other medication, we advise sharing the DuoCleanse ingredient list with your medical practitioner. That way they can advise you on which cleansing system would suit your skin best.

As a general rule of thumb, we don’t suggest using the Clarifying or Exfoliating Cleansers while on Roaccutane. Some people’s skin may be able to tolerate the Gentle and Brightening Cleansers 2-3 times per week, but we still recommend talking to your dermatologist.

I have dry skin, will Cleanse & Exfoliate work for me? 

It will indeed! Our Exfoliating Cleanser gently removes those dry, dead skin cells that can cause our skin to look dehydrated, dull, and flaky. 

It also clears out your pores and smooths the surface of your skin, allowing all of your other hydrating skincare products to penetrate deeper. I love to follow DuoCleanse with HydraGlo then CloudCreamTM for gorgeous, glowing, beautifully hydrated skin. 

I have combination skin. Which DuoCleanse formula should I use? 

Firstly, you’re not alone. Most of us have combination skin that can be both oily and dry depending on the time of year, our hormone levels, or lifestyle factors like our diets. That’s exactly why we created DuoCleanse – so you can customise your cleanse with minimal effort and give your skin exactly what it needs.

Cleanse & Brighten is my go-to formula for everyday use. Then, if I’m having a breakout or my T-zone is looking a little oily, I’ll reach for Cleanse & Clarify to help control shine and prevent future blemishes. 

Cleanse & Exfoliate I use twice weekly, because well, everyone needs to be Exfoliating! This is the dark horse in the systems as I truly believe it will be the one that people might not know they needed. 

TOP TIP: If your skin is particularly dry, but you still want to target blemish-prone areas, you can just apply the Clarifying Cleanser to the parts of your face that need it. Then, rehydrate your skin with HydraGlo and CloudCreamTM. 

Can I use the Exfoliating Cleanser and the Clarifying Cleanser on the same night? 

These are both active-packed formulas, so we suggest playing it safe and using the systems on alternate evenings, or alternatively one in the morning and the other in the evening to avoid any irritation. 

The best way to use new skincare ingredients, is to go slowly, so we never recommend adding too much all at once. 

If your skin is feeling really congested and you want to use both, try starting with the Clarifying Cleanser and then gradually introduce the Exfoliating Cleanser into your routine. 

Want to find out more about DuoCleanse? Or do you need help finding your perfect formula? Me and the team are here to help! 

Our makeup and skincare experts are happy to assist you via Instagram @sculptedbyaimee or Facebook DM. Or, email us at hello@sculptedbyaimee.com if you have any questions.

Lots of love,

Aimee & Team x

P.S. you can read the full #DirtySkincareReport here.