Thursday, 5 February 2009

Five ways to rejuvenate your skin

The effects of the the sun, wind, pollution and smoke can often leave our skin looking a little dull. I have put together my top tips for making your skin ‘glow’.

1. Discover your skin type

So often people use the wrong type of products for their skin. If you have oily skin, you do not want to use the same moisturizer that someone with dry skin uses as it will exacerbate the oiliness and maybe even lead to outbreaks. Consult a dermatologist if you can to try to find out if you have dry, oily or combination skin.

2. Cleanse your face twice a day

Using a cleanser that suits your skin type, apply all over your face and wipe clean with a flannel face cloth soaked in warm water. If you do this in the morning and evening, your skin will instantly start to look better. No more soap and water, as soap dries out the skin and is too harsh for it.

3. Exfoliate twice a week

You only need to exfoliate twice a week, but it is an important part of your beauty routine. After cleansing, rub onto your face gently, leave for a minute, and remove with a damp face cloth. This will remove dead skin cells and help bring some life to your skin.

4. Moisturize every day

Moisturizing is essential for your skin. It stops it drying out and helps fight the onslaught of wrinkles as you get older. Invest in a decent moisturizer and apply generously to your face at least once a day. This should be done after cleansing and exfoliating. Try and avoid creams that have fragrances as these can contain chemicals that may be too harsh for your skin.

5. Wear sun cream, even if it is cloudy

This is my secret weapon! If you wear sun cream every time you go outside, your face will be protected from all the harmful UV rays that come from the sun. They can still penetrate even on a cloudy day. Use a cream with a high SPF factor to get the most benefit. It may seem a little over the top to wear sun cream in winter, but you will thank me for it when you are older as your skin will be smooth and clear.

In no time at all people will be complementing you and noticing your young looking skin. Has anyone got any other secret tips they use for keeping their skin soft and supple?