“I’m a garden designer living in Norwich and I teach at the Norfolk School of Gardening. Every week can look different. I spend a fair bit of time outside and also in my studio, in the classroom or at clients’ houses.
In the morning it’s shower, moisturiser, makeup, that kind of thing. I use a foaming face wash and a gel day-moisturiser. I also use a Boots factor 50 on top. I wear fairly light makeup – a pressed powder or a tinted moisturiser if I want something a bit more fancy.
Then I might go down to my garden studio to start work at my desk. I tend to have appointments most days – I’ll jump in the car and head off to do a consultation visit or present a design to a client. I go all over the county, so I can be in city gardens or beautiful countryside.
My work leaves me quite exposed to the weather – I can’t always be in the shade when it’s sunny, and I’m prone to prickly heat. In winter in Norfolk, we get these drying winds, as well as the cold and wet. Dryness is a huge factor for my skin. I think being half Indian, I’m prone to dry skin anyway. If I didn’t moisturise my arms and legs as well as my face and neck every day, I’d be in real trouble. When I had quite bad postnatal depression, I neglected myself and ended up with snake-skin scars on my shins for a long time.”
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Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme
Dr Ejikeme says: “Rajul describes textbook transepidermal water loss, essentially losing water from the skin, made worse by exposure to wind, cold and seasonal shifts. To support all-day comfort and barrier strength, her moisturiser needs both humectants, which help keep skin moist, and lipid-replenishing ingredients, to support the skin barrier, and this should help prevent the feeling of dryness.
Rajul could start by using the new Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Moisturiser with rice extract and niacinamide. It’s lightweight but effective and can be used twice a day. Niacinamide brightens and strengthens, rice extract hydrates and soothes. A light, non-sticky texture is often preferred by people who aren’t used to moisturiser.
I’m sorry to hear Rajul had postnatal depression. In the post pregnancy period, women often feel they don’t have time for themselves. It’s good to hear that now she is able to focus on her wellbeing and skin health. Her skin sounds particularly dry so ensuring she drinks enough water during the day and continuing to use moisturiser daily and all over her body can help with this extreme dryness.”
“Then you’ve got the days on site. During the construction phase of a garden, there’s all sorts going on, from timber work to digging and soil preparation to slabs and stone cutting. I don’t do hard landscaping, but I’ll be on site to see what’s happening. Where I’m hands on is with the planting, and that’s quite physical. They tend to be no makeup days, dirty and sweaty, or the weather could be cold and wet.
Other days, I’m at the school teaching – we’ve got a classroom in the grounds of a beautiful Georgian house. I’ll often be walking around the gardens showing my students different plants.
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‘I’m surrounded by scents and textures and colours, which I love’
My husband cooks and we all eat together – I have two teenagers so it’s a time to chat and catch up. Then I tend to have a quiet evening. I like to read or listen to audio books, then bedtime. My routine is pretty simple, I’m usually in my pyjamas with my bra off already anyway. I use a micellar water makeup remover and then moisturiser.
It’s only recently that I’ve started using a night-time moisturiser. My skin was terrible about two or three years ago. Menopause was kicking in and I had acne and got really stressed. I’m now being more rigorous in taking care of my skin. My 16-year-old daughter suggested a few things, so the moisturisers and things I use are a little bit more carefully thought about. I didn’t even really wash my face with anything other than water and I was quite lazy about removing my makeup. That’s one thing I’m much better at these days.”
Dr Ejikeme says: “Rajul’s skin is being shaped by hormonal shifts, particularly menopause, which can alter oil production, skin hydration and texture. Rajul is right to have reviewed the products she’s using. I’d suggest switching to a gentle skincare routine that focuses on hydration to suit her skin’s evolving needs. I’d add Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Hydrating Serum with niacinamide and ashwagandha to her routine. Niacinamide improves the appearance of skin tone and texture while ashwagandha offers protection from oxidative stress, so it’s ideal post-menopause.”
“I always feel like a beginner with any beauty regime. I got away with not doing much for such a long time that I never really worried about it. And you know what teenagers are like now, they’re so into it, even though their skin is fine!
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‘Working with nature, with plants and gardens can be tough on the skin, but it’s wonderful for the soul’
My skin has been really sensitive at times and I’ve reacted to any product that’s too rich and heavy – resulting in acne. I’ve also occasionally developed eczema on my elbows if I’m not careful to moisturise them.”
Dr Ejikeme says: “Skin sensitivity can occur for all sorts of reasons, from over-cleansing to reacting to products or the environment. In those with oily skin, using rich occlusive creams (which create a protective barrier) can block pores and trigger breakouts.
I’d say that Rajul’s skin needs balancing, and she needs to be careful not to strip it, so that means gentle hydrators and non-comedogenic [pore-clogging] options that deliver moisture in lighter layers. After cleansing add in Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Essence Toner with niacinamide and ginseng, which delivers lightweight hydration without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive or combination skin.
In the evening, to improve texture and reduce the risk of breakouts, gently exfoliate once or twice a week with Modern Chemistry by Boots Glow Exfoliating AHA/BHA Toner. This helps refine texture and reduce post-breakout blemishes without irritating the skin when used after cleansing.”
“Working with nature, with plants and gardens can be tough on the skin, but it’s wonderful for the soul. I’m aware of the seasons changing. I’m surrounded by scents and textures and colours, which I love and I get to create beautiful spaces for people. I develop relationships with my clients – I have to learn a bit about them to create a garden that’s right for them, which is such a treat. For me, seeing wildlife suddenly in places where it wasn’t before – you create a garden and then bugs and birds and all sorts come to it – is such a privilege. It makes me feel like I’m improving the world a bit.”
Rajul’s Modern Chemistry formula
Dr Ejikeme’s summary: “Rajul is taking thoughtful steps to care for her skin, especially as it changes with menopause and outdoor exposure. By building on this with hydrating, soothing ingredients such as niacinamide, rice extract and ashwagandha from the Modern Chemistry by Boots range, she can strengthen her skin barrier, ease sensitivity and maintain moisture throughout the day.”
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Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Hydrating Serum
AM routine
• Cleanse with a gentle, non-stripping face wash
• Tone with Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Essence Toner
• Apply Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Hydrating Serum
• Moisturise with Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Moisturiser
• Use a broad-spectrum SPF30–50
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Modern Chemistry by Boots Glow Exfoliating AHA/BHA Toner
PM routine
• Cleanse with micellar water or gentle foaming cleanser
• Tone with Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Essence Toner
• Use Modern Chemistry by Boots Glow Exfoliating AHA/BHA Toner twice a week
• Apply Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Hydrating Serum
• Moisturise with Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Moisturiser
Find the right formula for you: Modern Chemistry by Boots – skincare products with science at their core
