WITH THE LACK of outdoor exposure bad habits are taking their toll on our skin.
HERE ARE A FEW tips on how to look after our skin; keeping it nourished, slow ageing and help us feel confident and beautiful during the lockdown, and beyond.
Ditch the flannel
Using a flannel to wash the face or an exfoliating cloth can be bad for your skin health. Damp and moist, these are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. They multiply within 20-30 mins, making the fibres of your flannel or cloth a bacterial oasis, especially if it’s not washed after every use. This will inevitably introduce more bacteria into the skin. If your health or immunity is compromised, this could actually lead to infection, and a chance for bacteria to settle in blocked pores, resulting in the dreaded breakouts or even acne.
Nourish the skin – the oral benefits
Beauty creams and other topical solutions can cost a small fortune, but the oral route is better, and benefits all of the skin and tissues in the body as well. It’s also a cheaper and easier way to ensure you get the nutrients your body needs.
The best nutrients to help skin look healthy and fight signs of ageing
Vitamins A, C and E are powerful anti-oxidants which to help to neutralise toxins that build up from excessive sun exposure and external environments. These can be found in skin care products, however, taking them orally is more effective. Q10 is also great at keeping the skin cells functioning normally and ridding them of harmful particles.
Hydration
Good hydration is the natural go-to method to help reduce fine line appearance and improve skin firmness and rigidity. Dry lips, dry skin or dull looking skin can all be a signs that we are not well hydrated. Aim for 2-3 litres of water a day; and limit your intake of tea, coffee and alcohol, as they can trick the body into losing more water.
Sleep
Clearly sleep hygiene is vital to help improve the appearance of the skin, especially under the eyes. There are studies that indicate the hours before 12am are much more beneficial for sleep than the hours that follow. So, an early night, rather than a lie-in would be better. Good quality sleep for about 8 hours is what we should all be aiming for – for skin health and general wellbeing.
What to look for in Skincare Products
Use serums and creams that are not moisturising, but more based more around introducing good nutrition directly to the skin. Those essential antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, E, collagen and Q10, etc are more beneficial to the face and body.
Invest in a rebounder
According to Mitchell Kline M.D. (a board-certified dermatologist); “Rebounding exercises increase blood flow. This can lead to healthier skin as the blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to all organs in the body, including the skin. In addition to delivering nutrients and oxygen, improved circulation also leads to more rapid cell repair and revitalization. It can also promote a more youthful appearance as it is believed to improve collagen production — or, at least prevent it from reducing significantly.” The Jumpga (www.jumpga.com) bungee cord rebounders are the best choice and worth every penny.
Finally, feeling good is important for our wellbeing and there is nothing wrong with self-love, and attention, even when we are not socialising face to face. Our skin quality and appearance can go a long way to improve our confidence and mood.
