Spring Ready Skin Tips

The weather might not yet be with us, but spring is almost in the air! And as we begin a new season, it has us thinking about fresh starts and more importantly fresh skin!

We all have 'that' friend who has picture perfect skin and no matter what we do, our skin just never quite achieves that flawless, smooth finish we crave. Apart from those damnable 'good genes', what can we do to encourage our skin to bloom? Though there's no one size fits all approach, the following 8 tips can help to gently encourage skin in the right direction.

Daily Cleansing Routine

There are some basics we should never ignore, and cleansing is one of them. The tendency is to over strip our skin, leaving it sensitive and irritated. Try using a cleanser that's not heavily emulsified, we don't need to strip skin's natural oil - oil is not the enemy! Our skin needs a good barrier function, which helps to protect against environmental aggressors. Mesoestetic Hydra Milk Cleanser revitalises and comforts the skin while gentle cleansing agents remove excess oils, impurities and debris.La Roche-Posay Physiological Make Up Remover Milk also offers a gentle approach to cleansing, with the soap-free, alcohol-free and paraben-free formula removing all traces of makeup on even sensitive skin. This hydrating milk respects the physiological pH balance of the skin, keeping it comfortable and soothed.

Protect your Skin

We all - regardless of skin colour or type - need protection from UVA/UVB light. The occurrence of skin cancer in the UK has more than doubled since the early 1990's and is projected to rise a further 7% by 2035. Worryingly, there are further risks being explored in relation to exposure to blue light, commonly emitted by computer screens and mobile devices.There are some remarkable protectors on the market now; it's simply a matter of finding one with good protection that you enjoy adding into your daily skincare routine.Image Skincare Prevention Plus is a range of SPF products formulated with potent antioxidants and free radical scavengers to protect against environmental aggressors.Heliocare 360° range of SPFs are formulated with Fernblock® FC, which provides powerful antioxidant and repair activities whilst also protecting skin against UVA, UVB, HEV and IR-A.There are also products such as HydroPeptide Somnifera Root Mist Indoor Light Pollution Shield, which is formulated specifically for the protection against damaging blue light exposure whilst inside and atmospheric pollution outside.Somnifera Root Extract is the powerful protectant that fights the effects of damaging blue light that skin is exposed to inside from lights, laptop screens and phones, as well as the atmospheric pollution that we are exposed to outside.

Massage

A facial massage is a real treat. Not only is it a nice ritual, relieving tension and offering the excuse to sit down and take some 'me' time, it also helps increase circulation and encourage lymph drainage, leaving skin soft, pink and glowing.Read what we think about facial massage in our blog, The Benefits of Facial Massage.Lumity Facial Oil is packed with over 32 botanical oils and extracts, this oil has been developed to provide specific nutrients to the skin. Applied with a gentle massage technique, skin immediately feels hydrated, replenished and deeply nourished.When combined with a regular, relaxing facial massage, Lumity Oil can help reduce signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles and restore elasticity, radiance and firmness.

Eat for Skin

There are so many wonderful skin foods available, it's hard to pin it down to just a couple but as a general rule of thumb try to 'eat a rainbow'.Betacarotene found in sweet potatoes and carrots and lutein, found in dark green leafy veg such as spinach and kale, are packed full of potent antioxidants, essential for skin repair and protection.Omega 3 is also tremendously helpful for inflammatory skin problems, such as acne, rosacea and sun damage. They also play an important role in the structure and appearance of healthy skin.Just four tiny capsules of Bare Biology Lion Heart Omega 3 Capsules contain 860mg EPA and 440mg DHA with a wide variety of health benefits including anti-inflammatory, heart, blood pressure, arthritis, skin, mental health, brain and eye development. Plus zero fishy after taste.

Get your blood flowing

Exercise is fantastically important for healthy skin. Whether it's a regular session at the gym or a brisk walk, this increases the circulation and improves lymph drainage, which will always be beneficial for skin health. In fact, some yoga teachers actively encourage a headstand before bed, though for most of us that will translate to hanging our head over the edge of the bed, to get a quick minutes rush of blood to the facial skin.

Stay Hydrated

We all know the golden rule but often forget this tremendously important part of our skincare routine. Our skin is an organ, in fact the biggest organ in our body and as such is made up of cells. Skin cells, like every other cell of the human body, are made up of water and without water, our skin cells wont function properly, becoming dehydrated, dry, tight and flaky. We always recommend around 8 good-sized glasses, sipped regularly throughout the day.Using a topical Hyaluronic Acid Serum on the skin can also be helpful, acting like a sponge, helping skin to hold onto water and support skin cells for boosted hydration.Mesoestetic's brand new Hyaluronic Acid serum, Mesoestetic HA Densimatrix, is a Hyaluronic Acid concentrate formulated with several forms and molecular weights, in combination with a potent antioxidant, to deliver a moisturising, anti-ageing and filling action whilst also promoting collagen and elastin synthesis to improve skin firmness and elasticity in an ultra lightweight water-gel texture.The multi-molecular weight water-gel serum absorbs immediately to hydrate and fill lines. Plant extract and potent antioxidant, anti-hyaluronidase complex, protects skin against environmental aggressors that cause ageing, sun damage and stressed out skin, which leads to the reduction and degradation of skin's natural Hyaluronic Acid reserves.

Get a good night's sleep

Sleep is when we rest and repair not only our mind but also the vital organs of our body. The body boosts blood flow to the skin while we sleep, so skin looks healthy and rested when we wake. A lack of sleep can elevate the levels of the stress hormone Cortisol, which in turn can lead to inflammation and a breakdown of collagen and other skin goodies like Hyaluronic Acid, the molecules that give our skin its bounce and hydration. 1001 Remedies Good Night Sleep Relaxing Balm delivers a calming and soothing action with 8 essential oils to encourage peaceful sleep. Lack of sleep can disrupt your emotional, mental and physical balance. However, it's not always a matter of sleeping longer but more about better quality sleep. 1001 Remedies Good Night Sleep Relaxing Balm helps to ease away tensions, anxiety and stress, which helps to support a deep sleep thanks to the calming essential oils.

Take care of your gut

Our good friend and Nutritionist, Miguel Mateas, swears by a healthy gut and encourages not only a good probiotic (Cytoplan Acidophilus Plus, £17.80, available in clinic) but also fermented drinks, such as kefir, a fermented milk drink that tastes like yoghurt. Another example is Kombucha, made from bacteria and yeast mixed with a green or black tea base.There's plenty of evidence to show that a healthy gut helps support a healthy immune system, which in turn can help reduce inflammatory skin disorders such as acne and rosacea.

Beauty comes from the inside out, so let it shine through!

We all have bad skin days but if you're happy and confident, who cares if you have the odd blemish, it really doesn't matter. The truth is, we often obsess over things that other people don't even see, so just try and stick to the above tips, ride the wave and don't let it spoil your fun.

Want to start taking care of your skin?

To book your free consultation, call the clinic on 0113 282 3300, email info@facethefuture.co.uk or book online.

Written for you by: Kate, Face the Future

Image source: freepik.com