Dr Andrew Markey

Dr Andrew Markey Consultant Dermatologist, Skin Scientist
MB ChB, MD, FRCP
Healthy skin is fabulous skin.

19/05/2026

Is your tap water ruining your skin? Let’s look at the facts.

The Myth: "Water is just water—it can't hurt your skin."
The Fact: Hard tap water can drive sensitive skin completely bonkers.

The Science: 🧬 It all comes down to calcium and magnesium. High mineral levels trap soap residue on your skin, strip your natural oils, and spike your skin's pH.

The Result: If you have eczema, rosacea, or acne, hard water can make your skin red, flaky, and highly inflamed.

Have you noticed your skin changes when you travel? Tell me where below! 👇

18/05/2026

Ectoin is the latest "it" ingredient taking over the barrier-repair space, but does it actually live up to the trend? Let's look at the science vs the reality. 🧬🧪
The Concept: 🔬 Ectoin is an extremolyte, a natural molecule found in microorganisms that survive in extreme environments (like salt lakes and deserts). It works by binding water to itself to form a protective "hydro-complex" over skin cells. On paper, it sounds like the ultimate shield against pollution, stress, and dehydration. 🛡️💦

The Reality: 🛑 While it is an incredible concept, in practice, it’s not as effective as you’d think. It functions as a decent humectant, but it doesn't structurally repair the lipid barrier the way a well-formulated ceramide blend does.

The Verdict: It's a nice supporting ingredient, but it shouldn't be the main captain of your barrier-repair team. Save your money for proven classics!

15/05/2026

Is This Filler Treatment Worth The Risk?!

What is Tear Trough Filler? Injecting filler to hide under-eye hollows. 💉
The Promise: Look awake and refreshed instantly. ✨

The Reality: 🛑⚠️

Lumps & Bumps: Common due to the thin skin.

Chronic Puffiness: Filler traps fluid and blocks drainage. 🌊

Blue Tint: Light catching the filler under the skin. 🟦

The Verdict: Results are often unsatisfactory in the long run. Most people are better candidates for a lower blepharoplasty or targeted laser treatments. ⚡️

14/05/2026

What Are Milia?! The bumps that won’t pop.

What they are: Tiny keratin cysts trapped under the skin. 🧬 The Big Mistake: Trying to squeeze them like a blackhead. 🛑🚫

Can you do it at home? 🏠 It’s possible, but risky. You’re more likely to end up with a scab or a scar than clear skin. 📉🩹

The Pro Way: 🩺🧤 We use a sterile lancet to create a tiny exit path and gently flick the "seed" out. Zero drama, zero scarring. ✨🏆

12/05/2026

Face Oils or Oil-Free? Let’s settle this. 🩺

The Secret: Neither is scientifically "superior." ❌🧪
The Reality: Both work beautifully, but they serve different needs. ✅✨

Team Face Oil: 🌿
✅ Best for: Dry skin, glowing finish, barrier repair.
✅ Feel: Rich, luxe, and nourishing.

Team Oil-Free: 🧊
✅ Best for: Oily skin, humid weather, weightless hydration.
✅ Feel: Fresh, clean, and matte.

The Golden Rule: 🧬 Skincare is personal. What works for your favourite influencer might not work for your biology. Experiment, listen to your skin, and use what makes you feel comfortable! 🛡️🫂

Which do you prefer?

11/05/2026

Stop wasting money on eye creams that don’t work!

Do you want to actually REDUCE under-eye lines or just hide them for an hour? 🧐🩺

The Quick Fix: Hyaluronic Acid (Plumps the skin, but the lines come back when it dries). 💦

The Real Fix: RETINOIDS. ✨

The Science: 🧬 Retinoids are the only topical ingredient proven to build collagen in the thin skin under your eyes. They smooth the texture, thicken the skin, and actually treat the wrinkle at its source. 🧱📈

Pro-Tip: Start slow! Use an eye-specific Retinol 2x a week and always follow with a rich moisturizer to protect your barrier. 🛡️🫂

07/05/2026

If you are looking for a total skin "reset," the CO2 laser is the ultimate tool. But with great power comes a need for serious expertise. 🧪🩹

What does it actually do? The CO2 laser works by delivering microscopic columns of thermal energy into the deep layers of the dermis. This triggers your body’s natural healing response to:

Erase deep-set wrinkles and fine lines. 📉✨

Resurface acne scarring and uneven texture. 🏗️

Tighten skin by stimulating massive collagen production. 🧱

The Reality Check: 🛑⚠️ CO2 lasers are high-intensity. Because they remove layers of skin to create this change, the risks can include:

Prolonged redness or swelling.

Changes in skin pigmentation.

Potential for scarring if the settings are incorrect.

The Verdict: The most important variable isn't the laser—it’s the practitioner. 🩺🧤 This is a medical procedure that requires a deep understanding of skin anatomy and laser physics. Don't bargain hunt for your face; choose skill over price every time. 🛡️✨

06/05/2026

If you have a red, bumpy, or flaky rash around your mouth that just won't quit, you might be dealing with Perioral Dermatitis (PD). Unlike typical acne, this is a complex inflammatory condition rooted in two main issues:

1️⃣ A Damaged Skin Barrier: Your skin’s protective "shield" has been compromised—often by harsh products, heavy creams, or topical steroids. 🩹
2️⃣ An Altered Microbiome: The delicate balance of "good" vs "bad" bacteria on your skin has been thrown off, leading to a cycle of irritation and bumps. 🦠🧪

The Treatment Philosophy: The goal isn't to "scrub" it away; it's to reset. 🛑🧹

The "Zero Therapy" Approach: Sometimes, the best treatment is stopping everything and letting the barrier breathe. 🌬️🛡️ Bring back products one by one to test what my be the root cause.

Gentle Micro-care: We focus on repairing the barrier and rebalancing the microbiome with specific, medical-grade topicals (and sometimes oral antibiotics).

04/05/2026

What is a Chemical Peel? 🧐 And is it safe?

A chemical peel is essentially a controlled exfoliation that uses acids to remove damaged skin cells and reveal the fresh, healthy skin underneath. 🧬✨

The Safety Spectrum: ⚖️ The safety of a peel depends entirely on its depth:

Superficial Peels: Very safe, zero downtime, and great for a quick "glow." ✨

Medium Peels: Reach the deeper layers to treat pigment and fine lines. Safe when done by a pro, but expect a week of "peeling." 🦎

Deep Peels: These offer the most dramatic results (think years off your face), but the risks are significantly higher. 🛑⚠️

The Verdict: The deeper you go, the better the potential results, but the margin for error shrinks. Safety starts with choosing the right provider! 🛡️🩺

03/05/2026

Hypochlorous Acid: 9/10. ⭐️ Should you buy it️

If you haven’t added this to your gym bag yet, you’re missing out. As a dermatologist, I’m giving this a near-perfect score for one reason: it’s the most gentle way to keep your skin’s microbiome in check. 🧬🧴

Why it’s a 9/10:

The Ultimate Disinfectant: It’s actually produced naturally by our white blood cells to fight infection. It is incredibly effective at killing bacteria and fungi on contact. 🦠🚫

Gentle but Mighty: Unlike alcohol or harsh cleansers, it doesn’t sting or strip your barrier. It’s safe for even the most sensitive skin. 🛡️💧

Breakout Prevention: Perfect for spraying after a workout.

The Verdict: It’s effective, safe, and incredibly versatile. Every skincare kit needs one. 🛡️✨

30/04/2026

As a dermatologist, I see so many people overdoing it.

The Science: 🧪 Retinoids work from the deep layers up, speeding up how fast your cells move to the surface. Because of this, your skin is already turning over at a high rate. Adding an acid (AHA/BHA) on top of a daily Retinoid is often "double-dipping" and can lead to a red, shiny, compromised barrier. 🏜️🩹

The Exception: ⚖️ If you want to exfoliate, the best way to do it is the "Take a Break" method. * Take 1–2 nights off from your Retinoid during the week. 🗓️

Use those nights for a gentle chemical exfoliant.

This "cycles" your skin and clears surface debris without the irritation of layering them together.

The Verdict: If your skin is glowing and clear on Retinoid alone, don't add an exfoliant. If it’s feeling a bit dull, try the "break" method! 🛡️🩺

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