As the sun begins to show itself a little more frequently and our summer clothes slowly begin to creep out from the back of the cupboard, it’s that time of the year where we want to look and feel our best. As we all make summer resolutions to get fit and eat more healthily, we thought we’d give you some top tips to keep your skin looking great too.
Water, water…and more water!
It’s not an urban myth and it’s not just an excuse for your mum to moan at your for not drinking enough water – H20 really does help keep your skin clear. Your skin suffers when you feel dehydrated, so by drinking even a couple of glasses of water a day, you really can improve the look and feel of your skin.
Staying Smooth
Moisturising isn’t always the most fun part of your getting ready routine but it’s one of the most important. By buying even a fairly inexpensive moisturiser and applying a small amount to your skin in the morning, this will get rid of dry patches, especially on your t-zone (the forehead, down the nose and chin).
Minty Myths
You’ve woken up with a massive sore spot right on the end of your nose and you have an important presentation to give in front of everyone in your class – nightmare! So, what products can we reach for to tone down the redness? We’ve all heard that old myth about popping some toothpaste onto that pesky pimple, but is this really beneficial? Some say that applying a small amount of plain toothpaste can reduce redness, but some dermatologists argue that strong toothpastes can cause more harm than good with the chemicals contained inside not being designed to be applied to skin. We recommend investing in a cleansing face wash instead, preferably one that contains ingredients like aloe vera and witch hazel which help to repair burst blood vessels and reduce redness.
Resist the Make-Up
If you’re a girl and wake up to a large, unsightly spot, your female intuition will be telling you to pile on the slap – but resist that urge! Allowing your skin to breathe will help those spots clear up faster. Applying heavy, oil-based foundations on top of spots can give them the appearance of being flaky, and larger than they actually are. Grit your teeth and enjoy the bare faced look for a day or so until your skin is better, or choose to go for a non-oil based foundation or a simple tinted moisturiser.
Sit on your Hands
‘Sit on your hands?’ we hear you ask, ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Well, by avoiding touching, picking and generally giving those spots a squeeze will work to your advantage. By not touching, you eliminate the risks of spreading bacteria to other parts of your face and you won’t make the spots any redder or any sorer. By treating spots with a simple cleanser and face wash, you’ll notice much more effective results than when you take matters into your own hands.
Budget Skin Products
So what skin products can you use to combat acne without breaking the bank? Pharmacies like Boots and Superdrug sell a variety of skin products like cleansers, toners, face scrubs and moisturisers which don’t cost a fortune. Own brands are often cost effective miracles when it comes to keeping your skin looking at its best. You can also pick up minty, peel-off face masks from your local supermarket that only cost around £1. By using a good face mask once a week, you can ensure your skin is clean and your pores are dirt free.
