Every skincare question you’ve ever wanted to ask Zoë Foster Blake, answered

From break ups to beauty advice, there is no one Aussie women turn to more for the answers in life than beauty magnate Zoë Foster Blake. Or ZFB to her friends... which unfortunately, we’re not (yet).
After spending a decade as a beauty editor, penning several successful books and building a skin care business with a cult-like following, Zoë is hands down one of the most trusted and respected voices in beauty.
Given the opportunity to talk to Zoë, we were finally able to grill her on everything her years in the industry has taught her about skin care.
Knowledge is power, so hopefully, after this, we’ll all be on the express route to the famous Foster-Blake glow.
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Image credit: @zotheysay
What skin care tips would you give to your 20-year-old self if you had the chance?
1. Wear SPF every day. And more hats.
2. Research and ask questions about skin care, don’t just buy stuff off the shelf or because your flatmate uses it, and expect miracles.
3. Invest in a few good products that are actually gonna look after your skin, rather than strip it and harass it and make it wig out. Protection and prevention is better than repairing.
4. Skin care is an act of self-love! Have fun with it.
5. See number 1.
What has been a) your favourite and b) your least favourite skin care trend from the last three years?
My favourite is the democratisation of the beauty industry. The consumer holds the power, and brands have to listen, and stay accountable. Only good can come from transparency.
My least favourite is the more is more mantra. Each to their own, but in my opinion, stronger acids and more of them, and an avalanche of products and steps each morning and night, does not equal better skin.
What does your skin care prep look like the week before a big event?
I will get a professional treatment, like DermaFusion, or a lactic peel combined with LED, to do the heavy lifting.
Then, on the day, I will always use our Transformazing sheet mask. It gives a post-facial glow, and makes my makeup sit perfectly. I can’t recommend it enough, pre-shoot or event. (Or if you have been on a flight or your kids have woken you up 400x overnight or you’re hungover etc etc.) It gives instant plump, glowing skin (Transformazing Sheet Mask $9, gotoskincare.com).
Image credit: @zotheysay
If I’m looking to invest in just one facial treatment a year, what should it be?
Ooh, that’s a tricky one, because it’s so dependent on your skin, and what you’re trying to achieve. And look, in truth, most of the treatments that really do something, demand a program of a few of them, one can only do so much.
I will say that I have just started micro-needling for my pigmentation, because it was time to get serious. I’m three in, and it’s fantastic. My skin tone and texture are excellent.
You’ve said before you don’t believe in eye creams. As someone who is starting to get crow’s feet, I’d love to know, do you stand by this and if so, what can I do instead?
I don’t believe in eye creams, no. I think they are very small, very expensive pots of moisturiser. Also, things like crow’s feet and dark circles are genetic. Eye concentrates, and serums, and products with retinol, though, they will do something. Also, SPF! And: wear sunglasses!
Image credit: @zotheysay
Which of ZFB’s tips are you most excited to try out?
83 Member Comments
always great to read an interview with Zoe :)
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especially in Australia, SPF SPF SPF is important. Cant stress this enough me thinks.
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Zoe has some great tips, she obviously knows her stuff. I tried so many eye creams over the years and they have done nothing so at least I now know not to waste any more money. I’m definitely going to look into micro-needling as I have pigmentation.
I would love to know what SPF she uses and recommends?
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I hate eye creams, they really are so expensive but have so little in them. I’ve swapped to Sunday Riley’s “Autocorrect” during the day with caffeine and horse chestnut and it literally depuffs under my eyes and makes them really bright. And I use Glow Recipe’s avocado retinol eye sleeping mask every 2 nights. Can see a MAJOR difference from using multiple different eye creams over the years
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I just love to bang on about natural oils like rosehip argan and even coconut around eyes at bedtime. Not great under makeup.
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SPF every day & lots of hats - yep!
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I think I will respectfully disagree with her.
Although I use The Ordinary's Caffeine eye serum, I do like to use actual eye cream sometimes as well. It just feels different to a serum.
I have slightly puffy eyes with very fine skin and sometimes it feels as though it needs that bit of creamy moisture kick.
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Agree on eye creams. Have used those and they are just watered down with emmolients face creams (that I don't use either). I use face serums all over, layering 2-3. This gives my skin everything and is great for keeping eye area wrinkle free so far.
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I think eye creams are important, I use them and feel that they make a difference at least to the puffiness and moisture around my eyes. I'm only 25 but still think they're an essential part to my skincare routine.
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I definitely agree with you.
I alternate an eye serum with an actual eye cream because they just feels vastly different. Sometimes I just feel that the fine skin under my eyes needs a creamy moisture boost
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I'm yet to try out eye serums but have been considering trying them out. I'm thinking mabye they're better in summer because they're more lightweight?
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I have been using The Ordinary's Caffeine Serum since March of this year. I can say it does actually work. Less puffiness and definitely less of an under eye colour. My skin seemed to do fine with it during the winter to be honest. It was just on occasion that I need actual cream. But I guess it matters what sort of skin you have under your eye and what you are targeting. I have really paper-fine skin and the Caffeine serum just melts in just just a bit of patting.
Look, give it a go, TO's Caffeine serum is about $10 I think, at worst if it doesn't work out you can use it on your hands :) Which is what I also do sometimes :) And I do the same with other TO products that I have taken out of circulation. Hell ya AHA peel on my hands to swat the years away hahaha xo
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I had the TO serum on my list of this to try, so it's great to hear you've had good results. It still amazes me how affordable they are compared to results they give. Thanks TinDrum for your advice!
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her products are nice but i have my doubts about a " skin care" product on someone who is not a dermatologist.... again i thnk you need to take it with a grain of salt. I need eye cream, iv noticed dry sagging skin without using it!
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As someone with sensitive eyes I do believe in eye creams (sorry Zoe). They are formulated to be gentle for use on the eye area - if you use a regular old moisturiser - sting city!
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Interesting stance on eye cream! I personally use a natural branded one for a simple moisture boost, I don't think I'd ever spend big money on one.
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How exciting to have your own brand
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Great article and a lot of common sense. Hats and sunscreen a must !
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Good tips. I need to start using eyecream. Haven't had much success using them in the past as my eyes are sensitive and they get itchy and red from applying creams around the eye area. I usually ending up my eyes so probably have caused the wrinkles. Although I did use the Body Shop elderflower eyegel which I found quite good, it was quite cooling.
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I get the gist of what she's saying about the eye cream, but there is no one size fits all approach to beauty and everyone is so different. I personally see huge value in eye cream - particularly one that doesn't migrate into my eyes. There's a reason eye cream exists beyond cosmetic value. I'd rather pay for an expensive pot of moisturiser that stays where it's supposed to because at the end of the day, the most effective skincare is the skincare you want to use and use regularly.
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Good article. Most importantly, wear SPF daily.
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I'm glad she did clarify that targeted eye serums do have a place:
> Eye concentrates, and serums, and products with retinol, though, they will do something.
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Love her tips! If there's one thing I've learned from watching beauty gurus and derms on YouTube, sunscreen is invaluable :)
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I wouldn’t mind getting a facial, as a treat!
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Love this! Real and informative advice given!
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