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With the onset of autumn and winter fast approaching, a lot of us are experiencing dry or drier skin. Our initial reaction can be to rush out and buy a heavier or more emollient moisturiser. While in some cases this is needed, for the most of us that is not the case.
Why do I say that?
To start with let me explain what a moisturiser is and isn't. The word moisturiser is actually quite misleading as it does not add any moisture to the skin. As we age our skin gets thinner allowing moisture to escape. The moisturiser simply acts as a barrier, prevents this water loss and helps maintain existing moisture levels in the skin. So how do we keep and maintain baby soft and comfortable skin during winter?
Here are a few recommendations to go by:
1) Only use very Gentle Cleansers and Scrubs.
Sometimes our tendency is to scrub those dead skin cells away as fast as we can. This however can do a lot of damage to the skin. Rather try an exfoliating lotion like Clinique Clarifying Moisture Lotion or Shiseido Bio-performance Intensive Clarifying Essence. These chemically exfoliate the skin without harsh granules to scratch or irritate the skin.
2) Use water-rich products rather than oil-rich.
Sometimes all the skin really needs is literally water or moisture rather than oils in the form of a moisturiser. Especially if you are in a particularly drying environment such as air-conditioning, high winds, flying or extreme cold. In this case make sure your skin is moist before applying your moisturiser. There are some great spitzes on the market that really hydrate the skin such as: House of Herbs Organic Rose Hydrating Mist, Claudalie Grape Water, Shiseido The Skin Care Soothing Spray. Clinique also have a whole range called Moisture Surge and it contains a gel-cream, eye gel and a face spray. These are all great to stop your skin from dehydrating. Personally I always carry a small bottle of face spray with me in my handbag, because most of these sprays you can use over the top of your makeup. So use them throughout the day, whenever you feel the need to.
3) Remember the skin south of your neck too.
During winter, dry scaly skin on your legs, knees and elbows is not uncommon. A great way to solve this for me is to pour body oil in my bathwater. You don't need much - the same amount as if you would be applying it directly to your skin but it's the lazy person's way of making sure your whole body is covered in oil. Also pure olive oil is fantastic, especially for the elbows and knees. Joan Collins recommends this.
4) Keep your lips and eyes well maintained.
As both these areas have thinner skin and fewer lipids in the skin than the rest of the face, it is vitally important to look after them well. Not by applying heavy creams as this will only block the pores and cause milia and other problems but by using products that will retain the moisture levels.
So when the sun starts to shine and the air is warming up and the shoe stores are swapping boots for strapy sandals in the display windows, the panic starts. Thankfully we are told that it's never too late to start pampering our feet.
1) The best way to start is by removing any hard, calloused skin. Use a foot file on dry skin, before you have a bath or shower. ( if skin has been softened by water, you may remove too much skin) Concentrate on the heels and the balls of the foot.
2) Moisturise your feet daily with special foot cream. These have been designed to hydrate the drier, thicker skin of your feet and stop the heels from cracking.
3) Make sure you vary the height of your shoe heels as this will keep your calf muscles flexible. If walking is painful or you spend a lot of time on your feet, be sure to use padded insoles to cushion the balls of your feet.
4) If wearing sandals, it is a must to apply SPF to your feet. The feet always get forgotten when it comes to sunscreen application yet they are perfectly angled to get most of the suns damaging rays and get sunburned.
Set time aside weekly to soak your feet. The foot spas you can buy are a great idea but all you need is a bucket full of warm water and a few essential oils. Peppermint, cypress, lavender, pine, frankincense and tea tree oils are all excellent choices. I like to add a couple of tablespoons full of powdered milk to make it really decadent. If you like wearing nail polish on your toes, make sure they are well manicured. Nothing is worse than calling attention to unkept feet. Keep cuticles neat and well maintained. Always use base coat to stop nail polish from discolouring toe nails.
Treat yourself to a pedicure at the beginning of summer. It is much easier then, to maintain your feet in top condition. With these healthy feet tips, you can be confidently stepping into those strapy sandals we see coming out for summer. Not only that but your feet will thank you in years to come as we say a step ahead of foot problems.
When was the last time you had your bikinis on? I challenge you to take your clothes off and take a good long look at yourself in the mirror. How do you feel? Ready to get going or thinking about hiding out at home in arctic air-conditioning through summer? While some of us are blessed with perfect blemish-free, wrinkle-free and jiggle-free skin, the reality is, nobody is absolutely perfect.
So, we all need products to help us out. Thankfully there are lots of fantastic products out on the market. Here's a rundown of quality cosmetics, lotions and potions to get your skin and body in tip-top shape for that upcoming pool party or trip to the beach. The first thing you will want to do is get rid of your crocodile skin.
After being wrapped up in clothing for so long most of us can do with a good body scrub. Try Glamourflage, Sexy Sadie Body Scrub or Linden Leaves, Flax Seed Body Polish. This will get rid of your dry skin cells and leave your skin glowing. Most of us have indulged in too much sun at one point in our lives. While we'd like to consider it a lesson well learned, we may have some sun damage on our d�collet� to remind us of our past sun-worshiping sins. Use Clarins, Bust Beauty Gel.
This helps prevent skin slackening with effective, visible results. Its skin-tightening action helps immediately improve the appearance of the bust area. Of course don't forget the sunscreen on this delicate area of your body. Nothing works better than prevention. The French have such polite names for body parts. Whip your derriere in shape with Nivea, Body Good-bye Cellulite or Shiseido, Body Creator Aromatic Sculpting Gel.
The powerful agents in this firming gel smooth and actively slim the skin, leaving your delicate derriere smoother and sensually contoured. Make your skin irresistible to touch with Dermalogica Ultrarich Body Cream.An ultra-rich, long-lasting body cream to help heal and relieve extra dry skin. This unique liquefying formula is also ideal for all-over, deeply-moisturizing body massages.
Not to be overlooked, your hair should receive just as much attention as your skin. Time in the pool or the beach takes its toll on your locks so replace lost moisture with Garnier Fructis Style Nutri-Oil Repair Intense Leave-in Smoothing Cream. Keep your skin looking flawless this summer without having to worry about your makeup melting off your face.
Try ModelCo, Fluidsplash 3-in-1 foundation or Amazing Base,the all-in-one foundation, powder, concealer and sunscreen by Jane Iredale, which provides great coverage and staying power and actually helps improve the skin with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which act as anti-inflammatories. And of course you can't forget the sunscreen. Try Estee Lauder Sun Performance Sun Lotion for Face SPF30, or Sun Sense Daily Face SPF30+. Now add just a squirt of your favourite fragrance and you are ready to knock them dead at upcoming outing to the pool or beach.
