Hey There,
I am so content with life right now. I’ve just had the best weekend ever! A lovely hotel, spa treatment and date night with the boyfriend on Friday for our 5 year anniversary, then a shopping trip, several meals out, and even more cocktails with two of my best friends on Saturday. It’s just been absolute bliss. And now I’m under my duvet, tea in hand, typing up today’s blog post. The perfect way to end my Sunday…
As you can imagine, a weekend like I have just had, (Too much food and booze) isn’t going to do wonders for my skin, (Or my waist line), I’ll be lucky if I don’t wake up with a spot on my forehead and can fit in to my uniform in the morning. Maybe I need to practice what I preach a little more. Now I’m not saying I am an expert, (But it is kinda my profession), I just wanted to share with you all these little tricks and tips I’ve learned over my past 6 years as a therapist. Both from my conversations with clients, and my own experience, (Along with a little common sense too).
I think we all know that most lifestyle tips start with ‘eat a healthy balanced diet, and drink plenty of water’… but actually there are some really simple changes you could make in your life which could help your skin. And it could be things you may not even realize have an affect.
As a Therapist, it is pretty obvious I am going to rant on about skincare. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a good skincare routine, it really does make such a difference, and I swear if you haven’t had luck in the past, you weren’t using the right products. So put down those face wipes and step away from the simple moisturiser.
Oily Skin
1. Keep your skin hydrated and do moisturise. Unfortunately a lot of people with oily skin, avoid moisturisers at the risk it could make their skin worse, when actually it will do the opposite by giving the skin what it craves and nourishing it.
2. Use a facial oil, (I can hear the gasps now) but I assure you it is one of the best things someone with oily skin can use. Using a good facial oil in the evenings, helps trick the sebaceous glands in to thinking they have produced enough oil, and as a result balance out and level that oil production.
3. Use natural, plant based products, (No alcohol based, sting inducing, toners wanted thank you). When it comes to skincare, you don’t want anything that will over stimulate your skin.
4. Exfoliate your skin 2-3 times per week. Avoid using a scrub and go for something more gentle like an exfoliating enzyme mask.
5. Always cleanse your skin in the evening, I mean really cleanse. A double, or triple cleanse if it means all that make up and dirt is off.
6. Choose your cosmetics wisely. Use primers, and make up that wont clog the pores, and invest in some powder or blot paper to help with the shine control.
7. Excess oil production could be related to stress and hormonal changes so try and take time out to relax. Put that phone down, turn that laptop off an hour before bed, just switch off. Meditate or take up yoga. Read a book or have a bath. Anything that gives you some ‘me time’.
8. Switch to decaffeinated drinks such as herbal teas.
9. Clean your pillows regularly. (Just think if all that dribble, sweat and dirt that gathers, and how long your face it on it… What a lovely thought?).
Dry Skin
1. I’m stating the obvious but drinking water really does help.
2. Hydrating masks and serums are your skins best friends. These will give your skin that extra boost and help your daily moisturisers work better.
3. Exfoliate 2-3 times per week, using a scrub to get rid of dead skin cells and enable your moisturisers to get in to the skin.
4. Take time out for yourself. Relax. (See tip 7 above).
5. Avoid sunbeds, and too much sun exposure as this will dry your skin out, (And potentially give you that leathery look skin as you get older).
6. Use a humidifier as you sleep, or a bowl of water on your radiator to help put moisture back in the air.
7. Keep the temperature of your shower at a cool, (No hot blasts and red skin).
8. Eat more oily fish and good fats, such as Salmon.
Anti-ageing/Ageing Skin
1, A good skincare routine is essential, following on similarly to the Dry skincare tips. The added extras on top of a good 3 step routine will be what makes the difference and holds that aging back
2. Cover up, and protect your skin. An SPF is your holy grail product. Nothing ages your skin as much a sun damage.
3. Don’t smoke.
4. Keep a young mindset. All mind over matter and all that.
5. Having a good love life, will apparently keep you young.
6. Exercise to keep those muscles toned, from body to face. (And I’m serious about the facial exercises).
7. Get enough sleep.
These are just a few lifestyle and skincare tips, I can think of, I would love to know your thoughts, any advice you have or any tips you have had passed on. I know I learned a lot from my mom.
Hope you’ve enjoyed the read, and had a lovely weekend.
Happy Sunday all…
Lots of Love,
KBxx