Up your game and protect your canvas with 10 these back to basics, healthy skin habits.
1. Scrub-a-dub-dub
Investing in a good body and face scrub will do wonders to reveal your gorgeous skin. When it comes to your body, grainy scrubs are fine, but as far as your face goes, avoid anything that contains large beads, as they can cause micro-tears in the skin. We recommend something with natural kernels or coffee granules, this will ensure the ‘scrub’ part is gentle enough to use on your face and neck.
2. Hydration station
Hyaluronic acid keeps skin healthy and lubricated. It already occurs naturally in our bodies and is great at retaining water, so adding a hyaluronic acid-infused serum to your routine will keep your skin looking younger and feeling supple. Remember to put serums on a freshly cleaned face before moisturisers and SPFs.
3. Star child
Retinol – according to skincare guru Kate Somerville, this wonder ingredient has endless benefits. “It stimulates collagen production, repairs environmental damage, aids wrinkle reduction, reduces scarring … it does it all!” As an active ingredient you do need to start slow, use in small amounts every second or third day at first.
4. Drink up
You’ve probably heard this a million times, but nourishing your skin starts from the inside, so chug some H2O. Drinking water doesn’t in fact hydrate your skin directly but it does keep circulation and things operating correctly so important to clean healthy skin! Keep a bottle filled with water on your desk at work so you don’t forget.
5. On the up
Chances are that you probably use downward motions when washing your face, pushing the product and water down your face and neck. Instead, try washing upwards – gravity already pulls skin down, which contributes to the formation of wrinkles. Keep this in mind when applying products too – they should be massaged into your skin with gentle upward strokes. We love Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel (R415) for gentle, soap-free cleansing.
6. Pillar of strength
Collagen is found in the skin and other connective tissues in the body. Our bodies produce less of it as we get older. Incorporating more of this structural protein into your daily diet through foods and supplements means strong hair and nails, mobile joints and plump, glowing skin. In recent years collagen powders have become super popular and it is now very easy to add these to a morning juice or smoothie feeding not just your face but keeping all skin strong.
7. Stroke of genius
Dry brushing is a fantastic way to buff away dead skin cells, improve blood circulation and diminish the appearance of cellulite. Pick a body brush with firm bristles, preferably from a natural fibre like bamboo, and use long upward strokes working your way up your body. Do this before a shower and follow with a rich body lotion, as your pores will be ready to receive moisture.
8. Eye spy
The delicate skin around your eyes is prone to wrinkling faster than the rest of your face, so it definitely deserves some extra TLC. Pick an anti-ageing formula to help prevent further wrinkles and crow’s feet from forming. A weekly under-eye patch provides extra love too.
9. Apples and oranges
Already popping a daily multivitamin? Using topical products that contain vitamins doubles up your dose of goodness. Vitamin C helps visibly brighten your skin, reduce the appearance of dark spots, and improve overall texture. Vitamin E is another great skin food to look out for, especially if you’re looking to heal scarring.
10. Ray of sunshine
Applying sunscreen needs to become a daily habit, one that you do without even thinking. You really should be protecting your skin regardless of the weather (your skin can still burn when it’s overcast and even raining). If you wear makeup and a rich moisturiser during the day, adding another product can begin to feel about much. We suggest looking for a moisturiser or a foundation with a high SPF included, just remember that your night foundation should not contain SPF as the flash in photos will bounce off it and you’ll end up looking a little whiter and ghostier than you would like!
