On The Cover Spring Clean Your Skin

Cold temperatures and central heating all take their toll over the winter, so prep your skin for the better weather with these top tips

INVEST IN A VITAMIN C PRODUCT

Referred to as the holy grail of skincare, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to reduce pigmentation and inflammation and can also boost collagen and protect against pollution. You’ll find it in various concentrations and formulas and, with daily application, results should be noticeable within a fortnight, say dermatologists. We like REN Clean Skincare glow daily vitamin C gel crème (£38 for 50ml) because it’s suitable for even sensitive skin.

FEED YOUR SKIN

Good fats are vital to skin cells so up your intake of avocados, walnuts, eggs and oily fish – and take a tablespoon of flaxseed oil daily with food, advises Alison Cullen, nutritional therapist at A. Vogel ( WWW.AVOGEL.CO.UK). Almonds, pumpkin and sesame seeds are all rich in calcium, zinc and vitamin E which may help prevent dry skin while broccoli and citrus fruits are high in vitamin C which stimulates collagen production.

CLEAN YOUR MAKE-UP BRUSHES

A recent study found that 72% of women never wash their brushes or sponges, even though they collect dirt and bacteria, which won’t do your skin any favours. Mix a couple of drops of gentle facial cleanser or shampoo and lukewarm water in a cup, swish your brushes around, rinse, pat dr y, and lay flat to air dry.

MAKE A BERRY MASK

Raspberries are loaded with ellagic acid, an antioxidant that research shows can prevent wrinkles when applied to the skin. Mash up a handful of raspberries with a spoonful of honey and apply the mask to clean skin for 15-20 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.

WEAR SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY

In a recent study published in the journal Dermatologic Surgery, it was found that applying an SPF cream not only protects your skin from sun damage, it can also reverse the signs of photo-ageing, like wrinkles and hyper-pigmentation. Volunteers who applied SPF 30 saw improvements of 52 percent in mottled pigmentation, 40 percent in skin texture, and 41 percent in skin clarity after one year of use.

EAT PLAIN LIVE YOGURT FOR BREAKFAST TO BOOST GOOD BACTERIA IN YOUR GUT

Inflammation caused by the microbial activity in our gut can cause ageing, particularly of the skin, says Liz Earle, natural beauty expert and author of The Good Gut Guide (Orion, £25). “The healthy bacteria and lactoferrin found in plain live yoghurt can dramatically improve our levels of skin-friendly flora, which in turn leads to smoother, clearer skin, especially for those prone to adult-onset acne or rosacea.”

BRUSH YOUR BODY BEFORE YOUR SHOWER

As we shed winter layers, it’s a good time to slough away dead skin cells to allow skin to glow. Choose a longhandled natural bristle body brush and start by gently brushing the soles of the feet, working up the legs in long, firm strokes k – concentrating i on the h hips and thighs to help shift cellulite and decrease dimply skin. Work up the arms and down across the shoulders and back. Then, in the shower, use a loofah-mitt or flannel to buff the skin before towel-drying and applying a good moisturiser. “Natural plant-based ingredients such as avocado oil and shea butter have added benefits, such as vitamins, and are well-known for their protective and nourishing properties,” says Liz ( WWW.LIZEARLEWELLBEING.COM).

REDUCE YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE

It dehydrates the skin, leading to sallowness, inflammation and more prominent lines. And it also inhibits the absorption of vital vitamins, such as vitamin A, responsible for skin cell turnover.

DRINK A GLASS OF WATER EVERY TIME YOU PUT THE KETTLE ON

Piling on creams and oils won’t make any difference if you don’t drink enough. Your skin is made up of 64% water so good hydration not only plumps the skin but it encourages collagen production which ensures the elasticity and regeneration of skin.

AVOID FACE WIPES

Not only are most full of nasty chemicals, they’re incredibly drying. Far better to use a muslin cloth with your face wash or cleanser instead for a gentle exfoliation that leaves the skin clean but soft.