Everyone wants to enter the new year looking their best. When you’ve got great skin, the feeling you get is priceless. But, there’s so much that can take a toll on our skin – weather, stress, what we eat and drink. So, if you’re looking for some amazing skin tips to keep you glowing all year round, here’s what you need to know.
Cleansing
It can’t be stressed enough how important cleansing is to your skin. As we go through out days, we pick up a range of different things that can soak into our pores, from dirt to dust. If you haven’t found yourself a great cleanser yet, it should be at the top of your priority. A good cleanser will remove all the pollutants from your skin, leaving your pores to soak up the good stuff. Without your face being cleansed, all the other beauty products you attempt to use will be useless.
Toning
Why use a toner? Well, a toner is the best way to repair any damaged skin. If your skin has been damaged throughout the day, you may not even realise it until a few days later, when a pimple rears its ugly head. So, it’s important to give your skin the fighting chance it needs to regenerate. The majority of toners on the market have a good variety of nutrients to replenish the skin when it needs it. So, if you’ve been outside on a particularly windy day and your skin has taken a thrashing, your toner could be one of the most important products in your skin care regime.
Exfoliation
I swear by exfoliating every day. It’s a sure-fire way to get rid of all the dirt and grime build up from pollutants and make-up. If your cleanser doesn’t do it, your exfoliator certainly will. It will leave your skin feeling fresh and new, but don’t be too harsh with it. You could end up scrubbing out natural oils that your skin needs to give you the glow you’re looking for. Look for a gentle exfoliator that isn’t too rough for sensitive skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
It’s becoming a very popular ingredient in beauty products for a good reason. What is Hyaluronic Acid? The skin needs moisture to appear plump and firm. Hyaluronic Acid is what helps the skin to retain its moisture, so without it you aren’t getting what you need to look and feel fabulous. It can be found in some foods but one of the best ways to ensure you get a good dose of Hyaluronic Acid is to use beauty products, such as face gels or eye serums.
Moisturizer
Once your pores have been opened by your cleanser and exfoliater and you have a Hyaluronic Acid base in your skin, you’re ready to put the moisture back in. There are certain times of year where drinking fluids just isn’t enough to replenish your body with the moisture it needs, especially if you aren’t feeling well. Even hot showers can dry out your skin! So, if you feel your skin becoming dryer or tighter, be liberal with your moisturiser.
Night Cream
Yes, it is different to moisturiser. The moisturiser you use during the day is specifically designed to protect your skin from the day to day thrashing it usually gets. However, a night cream is usually a lot thicker and full of anti-aging ingredients to tackle those fine lines that we’re all susceptible to. Putting it on just before going to bed will give it the chance to soak in during the hours that you’re sleeping.
Eye Cream
Eye cream isn’t a necessity, but let’s be honest, we could all do with all the help we can get. So, during the times where you find yourself run off your feet or perhaps getting a lack of sleep, your eye cream can be your best friend. The skin around your eyes isn’t like the skin the rest of your body has. It’s thinner and a lot more sensitive so it needs some tender loving care every now and then. Eye creams can minimize the puffiness you experience after a lack of rest and put back the moisture your skin needs without being too harsh.
Essential oils
Our faces are often stripped of the natural oils we need for our skin to have a fighting chance of looking good. This is sometimes through our own fault, after using make-up and other products that don’t mix well with our own oils. To re-introduce your skin to those natural oils, why not try a homemade face mask? Items such as avocado and coconut oil are ideal for putting those essential oils back into the skin. Apply to the face and leave for twenty minutes, then gently wash off with warm water.
Increase Circulation
It may not be something you can keep on your shelf, but increasing your blood circulation can do wonders for your complexion and heal acne. Getting to the gym and doing twenty minutes of exercise is all you need to keep your circulation flowing. Something as gentle and relaxing as Yoga is fantastic for blood circulation. If you’re looking for a product to increase your circulation, clay masks are ideal. They’ll also soothe any irritated skin.
Sunscreen
A lot of people make the huge mistake of thinking that their moisturiser contains enough SPF to protect them from the sun. Most moisturisers don’t contain any SPF and if they do, it’s often not enough to protect their skin. When the sun is out, make sure you’re using a good sunscreen on your skin. The sun can be brutal on facial skin, so it’s not worth the risk to go without it. If you’re someone who has freckles, discolouration or you’re partial to dry skin, sunscreen is a must. Remember, it doesn’t have to be hot weather for the sun to damage your skin.
To get the best out of your beauty products, use them daily, not just weekly.
