Cleanse. The first and most important thing to do is cleanse; whether you wear make-up or not. Throughout the day dirt and oil will build up on your face and if you don't wash it off it can lead to blemishes, premature ageing and your skin looking dehydrated and dull. The best way I was taught to wash my face was to firstly, splash your face with warm water to open up your pores. Then, wash your face as normal with face wash. Finally, rinse your face with cold water to close your pores and dry with a clean towel. Remember to cleanse in the morning as well as at night because dirty and oil can build up on your face at night as well.
Double Cleanse. If you are someone who wears a lot of make-up, then it's always best to double cleanse. Even if you don't wear loads sometimes just cleansing once won't get every speck of make-up and dirt off your face.
I've invested in a Clarisonic and it literally gives your skin a deep cleanse so your face is make-up and dirt free!
Clean everything. Everything you put on your face needs to be clean. Most importantly your make-up brushes. You need to clean them regularly as bacteria and dirt can build up in them. If you use your hands to apply some make-up then they need to be clean as well. Keep a hand sanitiser with your make-up so you remember to apply it before you apply anything to your face with your fingers. Other things that need to be clean includes your pillow and face towel. Bacteria can build up in both these places and it makes such a difference when you clean all these things regularly. It seems like such a simple thing but a lot of people do forget.
Water. There is literally no excuse for not drinking enough water. It's one of the best things for your skin and it makes such a difference. What you put into your body will affect your skin. Drinking water is something that isn't expensive or difficult to do and it does great things for your skin. Try to drink 6-8 glasses a day.
Exfoliate. As we get older, our skin's natural ability to generate and shed skin cells slows down. So if we don't exfoliate regularly to shed the skin cells then it can leave your skin looking dull, rough and dry. Also the build up of dead skin cells can lead to clogged pores and blemishes.
SPF. Wearing sun protection is so very important, even when it's not sunny at all (that's most of the time in England). Just because you can't see the sun, doesn't mean it isn't there. Too much sun on the skin can cause premature ageing and sun spots . Most foundations will contain an SPF now, but if not then put on a moisturiser underneath your foundation that does contain an SPF in it, and remember to drag it down to your neck and chest if they're going to be on show too.
Face masks. One of my favourite things to do is a face mask. Sometimes when you're stressed and you've got breakouts and your skin looks tired, a face mask is so helpful. It will all depend on your skin type and what your skin needs as to which face mask you should use. My two favourites include Lush's 'Mask of Magnaminty', which I turn to when I have breakouts, and Origins 'Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask' is good for when my skin is feeling dry and dehydrated.
Sleep. Sleep is so important for our skin. It's important because, cortisol, the stress hormone, ages our skin and can cause acne. Sleeping reduces the cortisol level in your body. So the more sleep we get, the younger and clearer out skin looks! Always try to get at least 7-8 hours a night.
Don't squeeze spots. Yes, sometimes it's okay for you to squeeze the odd spot, but only if it's ready. Most of the time it's best just to leave it alone and find a good spot treatment for it (I use Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment Gel). If you start fiddling with it and trying to squeeze a spot under the skin or one that isn't ready then it can lead to scarring and redness. So as tempting as it is, leave it alone!
Moisturise. Doesn't matter what type of skin you have, it's important to moisturise. Even if you have oily skin. By not applying moisturiser because you think your skin is already too oily, it'll only make your skin produce more oil. You need a daytime moisturise which should also contain an SPF in it to protect your skin. You will also need a night time moisturiser that is going to treat your skin whilst you sleep, because that's when your skin does most of it's rejuvenation. Remember that you are able to buy moisturiser depending on your skin type.
Thanks for reading!
Sophie X
Double Cleanse. If you are someone who wears a lot of make-up, then it's always best to double cleanse. Even if you don't wear loads sometimes just cleansing once won't get every speck of make-up and dirt off your face.
I've invested in a Clarisonic and it literally gives your skin a deep cleanse so your face is make-up and dirt free!
Clean everything. Everything you put on your face needs to be clean. Most importantly your make-up brushes. You need to clean them regularly as bacteria and dirt can build up in them. If you use your hands to apply some make-up then they need to be clean as well. Keep a hand sanitiser with your make-up so you remember to apply it before you apply anything to your face with your fingers. Other things that need to be clean includes your pillow and face towel. Bacteria can build up in both these places and it makes such a difference when you clean all these things regularly. It seems like such a simple thing but a lot of people do forget.
Water. There is literally no excuse for not drinking enough water. It's one of the best things for your skin and it makes such a difference. What you put into your body will affect your skin. Drinking water is something that isn't expensive or difficult to do and it does great things for your skin. Try to drink 6-8 glasses a day.
Exfoliate. As we get older, our skin's natural ability to generate and shed skin cells slows down. So if we don't exfoliate regularly to shed the skin cells then it can leave your skin looking dull, rough and dry. Also the build up of dead skin cells can lead to clogged pores and blemishes.
SPF. Wearing sun protection is so very important, even when it's not sunny at all (that's most of the time in England). Just because you can't see the sun, doesn't mean it isn't there. Too much sun on the skin can cause premature ageing and sun spots . Most foundations will contain an SPF now, but if not then put on a moisturiser underneath your foundation that does contain an SPF in it, and remember to drag it down to your neck and chest if they're going to be on show too.
Face masks. One of my favourite things to do is a face mask. Sometimes when you're stressed and you've got breakouts and your skin looks tired, a face mask is so helpful. It will all depend on your skin type and what your skin needs as to which face mask you should use. My two favourites include Lush's 'Mask of Magnaminty', which I turn to when I have breakouts, and Origins 'Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask' is good for when my skin is feeling dry and dehydrated.
Sleep. Sleep is so important for our skin. It's important because, cortisol, the stress hormone, ages our skin and can cause acne. Sleeping reduces the cortisol level in your body. So the more sleep we get, the younger and clearer out skin looks! Always try to get at least 7-8 hours a night.
Don't squeeze spots. Yes, sometimes it's okay for you to squeeze the odd spot, but only if it's ready. Most of the time it's best just to leave it alone and find a good spot treatment for it (I use Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment Gel). If you start fiddling with it and trying to squeeze a spot under the skin or one that isn't ready then it can lead to scarring and redness. So as tempting as it is, leave it alone!
Moisturise. Doesn't matter what type of skin you have, it's important to moisturise. Even if you have oily skin. By not applying moisturiser because you think your skin is already too oily, it'll only make your skin produce more oil. You need a daytime moisturise which should also contain an SPF in it to protect your skin. You will also need a night time moisturiser that is going to treat your skin whilst you sleep, because that's when your skin does most of it's rejuvenation. Remember that you are able to buy moisturiser depending on your skin type.
Thanks for reading!
Sophie X
