You may be pretty happy with how your skin looks, but there is always something you can do to make it that bit healthier. Heralding a glowing, flawless complexion isn't necessarily about spending more time on your daily skincare regime - although that’s a great start - but about making (slightly less obvious) tweaks to your daily life.
In fact, the secrets to healthier skin might just surprise you...
Clean your phoneAs we mentioned in our feature on the new face map zones, research suggests the glass screen your on smartphone is a breeding grounds for germs - so much so that sharing a phone is equivalent to breathing in someone’s face. Gross! Try giving the screen a quick wipe over every morning using Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Hygienic Wet Wipes, £9 at Australian Bodycare.
Cool down Take it down a notch in the shower, because when water is too hot it can strip the skin of essential oils and make it react as if it’s being burned. Blood vessels dilate, which can cause the skin to become ruddy and flushed. For a cooling treat in the shower try Rituals Samurai Ice Shower, £8 at Rituals.
Prepare pre-pluck Waxing and threading can cause spots and scarring, so prep your skin by applying an antibacterial cream before your treatment. Be extra-kind post treatment with an anti-inflammatory cream or gel to stop skin reacting. Try Avene Eau Thermale Antirougeurs Jour Redness Relief Moisturisng Protecting Cream, £14.50 at Boots.
Cleanse your make-up brushes If not, then every time you apply your make-up you are transferring some serious bacteria onto your skin. At worst you’ll get a break-out, but in any event it puts unnecessary stress and congestion on your skin. Cleaning make-up brushes is simple; just use an anti-bacterial washing up liquid such as Fairy Washing Up Liquid Anti Bacterial, £1.50 at Ocado.
Go nuts Brazil nuts are high in selenium, which increases skin elasticity and decreases the risk of skin cancer. If nuts aren’t your thing, try a selenium supplement such as VitaBiotics Ultra Selenium, £7.95 at VitaBiotics.
Get 40, not 30, winks Sleep is crucial to healthy skin, but because fluid builds up, especially around the eyes, while we’re sleeping it’s worth considering sleeping on two pillows. The elevation will prevent fluid from being able to collect meaning you’ll wake up looking fresher. Superboost your sleep by adding a copper thread pillowcase into the mix like the Skin Rejuvenating Pillowcase from Illuminage, £50 at Selfridges. The copper oxide embedded in the fabric fibres are clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over with results visible in just four weeks.
Eat more fishThe zinc content in fish has a very positive impact on skin. The function of our sebaceous glands relies on zinc, which also helps skin repair itself and is known to keep it supple. If fish isn’t to your taste you can also keep your zinc supplies topped up with a supplement such as Healthspan Zinc Tablets, £8.45 at Health Span.
Wear sunscreen Not just for holidays, it’s important to wear an SPF at all times if you want to fight the signs of ageing and remain sun safe. SPF formulas can sometimes be thick and difficult to wear under make-up, but Emma Hardie Protect & Prime SPF 30, £45 at Emma Hardie, strikes the perfect balance. The creamy formula primes skin while also protecting it from those pesky free radicals.
Stop scrubbingExfoliating is great for skin, but scrubbing it can cause unnecessary damage. Instead ditch your gritty exfoliators for something containing enzymes or acids like Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel, £32 at Elemis. The creamy mask is super gentle, but the fruit acids dissolve dead skin leaving you looking more radiant and glowy.
Treat it to some TLC When a breakout, flare-up or rash happens it’s easy to reach for hard-hitting products, but try thinking laterally. Next time your skin reacts try treating it with a nappy rash cream like Sudocrem Skin Care Cream, £1.99 at Boots, which is instantly soothing and a feature of many a make-up artists’ kit.
