Quick tips on helping your skin survive the harsher Winter months:
Stay hydrated
1L filtered water
½ cucumber sliced
1 lemon sliced
Mint springs
Place all ingredients in a mason jar and allow to sit for an hour or overnight.
1 cup of cubed watermelon
Mint or basil springs
1 lime sliced
Place all ingredients in a mason jar and allow to sit for an hour or overnight.
You are what you eat
Well, figuratively speaking anyway. Our skin is our largest organ and a direct expression of the quality of foods you put into your body. Our cell membranes are made up of proteins and essential fatty acids and rely on us eating a diet high in these to function efficiently – ie. remove toxins and remain plump and hydrated to give us healthy, glowing, ageless skin. Where possible choose organic foods as many meats now contain large quantities of hormones and pesticides which wreak havoc on our bodies and can cause acne and other undesirable skin conditions. Non-organic chicken especially has most recently been found to contain high levels are arsenic from an anti-parasitic used in the industry to promote growth. Other non-meat sources of protein are spinach, mushrooms, legumes – including nuts and seeds, tempeh. Foods high in Vitamin C, such as kiwi fruit, citrus, berries – especially blueberries and raspberries, hibiscus and rosehips are essential for maintaining healthy capillaries and promoting collagen. Pepitas (pumpkin seeds), ginger and beef are a great source of zinc which has been shown to help reduce acne scarring and normalise skin conditions that are hormonally driven. There are many nutrients that can help nurture and replenish your skin so eating a balanced diet, rich in wholefoods and preferably organic is the best way of obtaining the foods your skin needs. Engaging in regular supervised detoxes is also a great way to promote healthy, happy skin.
Use Quality Products
A face oil adds hydration and nutrition which is especially important during the Winter months. It should consist of a blend or synergy of potent and active oils high in essential fatty acids or omegas, otherwise known as EFA’s. Because our bodies don’t manufacture EFA’s, we need to apply them both topically and we also need to ingest them. EFA’s also contain vitamins and minerals that feed and nurture the skin.
Oils have a natural affinity with our skin’s cutaneous lipids. They work down to the base of the epidermis, which allows them to be rapidly absorbed. Facial oils may also consist of essential oils that work together to functionally to create optimal results.Only two to three drops of an oil are needed. Oils can sometimes invoke fear of breakout for those with oily skin, but the opposite is true. They actually assist with balancing the skin. The most wonderful thing about oils is that they penetrate quickly and don’t contain heavier waxes and emulsifiers that can sit on top of the skin and clog pores.
If you suffer from eczema or rosacea, you may benefit greatly from a gentle face oil layered with a moisturiser to help strengthen and protect the external layer, as well.
Avoid products that contain the following as they are derived from crude oil/petroleum and, amongst other side-effects such as cancer, can damage collagen and elastin, two of the major players in helping reduce ageing.
- BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
- C12-15 alkyl benzoate
- diazolidinyl urea
- disodium EDTA
- DMDM hydantoin
- EDTA
- formaldehyde
- methylchloroisothiazolinone
- methylisothiazolinone
- quaternium 15
- tetrasodium EDTA
- some parfum
- phenoxyethanol
- PEGs
-
Exfoliate
It is vital to remove dead skin cells routinely by using a gentle exfoliate. Not only does this help to rid the skin of rougher patches, but it also works to stimulate the blood flow and encourage healthy, glowing skin. There are many exfoliates on the market, of which the majority are laiden with toxic chemicals such as those listed above, so always read your labels and if in doubt, ask.. I am always happy to help you decipher. Salon treatments such as microdermabrasion are great ways of stimulating the growth of new skin cells so speak to your beautician and see whether this would suit your skin.
Treatments
Skin rejuvenation treatments are a great way of promoting the growth of collagen and elastin which are major players in keeping us looking young and vital. We have some great packages using a combination of nutrition, skin advice and microcurrent to give your skin the boost it needs this Winter. Microcurrent has the unique ability to enhance anti-ageing by toning the skin and relaxing micro-spasms in the facial muscles assisting in the removal of wrinkles. It has been shown to also improve circulation and reduce the appearance of broken capillaries and acne. Best results are achieved after a minimum of 5 treatments.
Winter Skin Special
Purchase a series of skin rejuvenation treatments and receive 2 free. Offer only valid until August 31st. FREE skin analysis and recommendations available.
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