I\u2019ve had two toddlers at home with me for Easter. Don\u2019t worry, though, they go back on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cDear parents, a reminder that Monday is teacher training day.\u201d Back to soft play we go\u2026<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been mapping out a new video series with the Sunday Times Style team \u2014 more on that soon \u2014 but it\u2019s very exciting. And finally I\u2019ve not been able to shake this constant, low-level dread that no one will turn up to my upcoming book launches. Although you have all helped my nerves considerably. In a few weeks India Knight is interviewing me for Times+, Fenty is our headline sponsor \u2014 actual Fenty! Actual Rihanna\u2019s brand! And we\u2019re sold out. So, really, I should take a deep breath and try to enjoy this time.<\/p>\n
Sorry, this is all a bit moany. We\u2019re all busy. I know that. I\u2019m telling you because the cortisol combined with the chaos has led to the hugest spot of my adult life<\/a>. It\u2019s volcanic. Artemis II could have spotted it from space.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t blame it for landing on my jawline. Stress can do that to your face. It doesn\u2019t just send your brain into overdrive, it announces itself on your skin too.<\/p>\n The silver lining? According to Hailey and Justin Bieber, spots are officially cool. The couple have just announced a new beauty (or is it fashion?) category, called spotwear, dedicated to making your blemish part of the look rather than something to disguise. Clever. I wish I\u2019d had this when I was younger. The Rhode Beauty Spotwear (\u00a316 for 36, rhodeskin.com<\/a>) sticker options include mushrooms, daisies, even jelly beans. My eldest, Grace, does love sticking things on my face\u2026 But wait. These aren\u2019t just stickers. Behind the \u201cart\u201d are hydrocolloid patches designed to draw out fluid, flatten inflammation and stop you from picking, which for many is half the battle. If your child is feeling self-conscious, these could be a brilliant confidence boost.<\/p>\n Saying all this, you don\u2019t have to go the cartoon route. There are still excellent \u201cinvisible\u201d patches from Purifide by Acnecide, CeraVe and La Roche-Posay.<\/p>\n Have you been waiting patiently to find out if my advice is to pop the spot? Facialists and dermatologists, look away now. Have they gone? Good. I don\u2019t have the willpower to leave a fully formed whitehead untouched. But I don\u2019t do the aggressive squeeze either. With clean hands and a tissue I gently stretch the skin around the spot to coax out the gunk. (How\u2019s your brunch?) Be thorough. The real issue is when only some of it comes out, leaving something angrier behind.<\/p>\n Products! The Inkey List 360\u00b0 Skin Clearing Serum (\u00a316, boots.com<\/a>) is being hailed as a bit of an all-in-one for tackling excess oil and breakouts. Use it as your AM treatment: cleanse, serum, moisturiser, SPF. Speaking of SPF, have you tried the new fragrance-free CeraVe Invisible Hydrating Sunscreen for Body & Face SPF50+ (\u00a310, boots.com<\/a>)? It\u2019s excellent if SPF tends to irritate. I don\u2019t usually trust a product that claims to work top to toe, but this one is lightweight, has no white cast and is just as good on my face as it is on my limbs. Finally, the Prada Reveal Concealer (\u00a336, harrods.com<\/a>) is a new discovery. I recently watched the make-up artist Lynsey Alexander tap a little over the freckles on my hand. What freckles? Camouflaged instantly, but without that heavy, chalky finish.<\/p>\n Remember, spots are a normal part of life. Skin has its moments and so do we. <\/p>\n Have a beauty question you need answering? Message Sarah at\u00a0asksarah@sundaytimes.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0or DM\u00a0@sarahjossel<\/a><\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/81f6fb3d-3d11-4e08-ad82-db8ab7f6be9b.jpg\")
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