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brighten and banish dark circles.
Not taking the time to cleanse skin properly can lead to blocked pores and breakouts while stress and tiredness encourages the body to produce hormones that lead to blemishes and breakouts.
Smooth away facial stress with massage. Just one minute every morning can transform skin. Cleanse thoroughly, then using the pads of your fingertips, sweep alternate hands up your neck and follow with firm circular movements around your chin and jawline.
Too much sugar and refined carbs increases sebum production, which can block pores. So cut back on sweet treats and eat plenty of antioxidant-rich fruit and veg and healthy fats, such as avocado and olive oil. Calm breakouts withWhat Skin Needs Soothing Skin Gel, £9.99 (whatskinneeds. co.uk), a light-textured moisturiser packed with essential oils to soothe acne-prone skin.
To calm a troublesome spot, crush an aspirin with a little water, so it forms a paste, dab on the blemish and leave overnight.
At the clinic, LED therapy using blue light can improve problem skin.The light penetrates the dermis, boosting circulation and soothing inflammation. From
£40 per session, available at most clinics.
Skin repairs itself at night, so lack of sleep can zap radiance, making skin look dull. If you regularly miss out on sleep, it will show on your complexion – it’s not called beauty sleep for nothing.
QWHAT can my daughter do about her acne scars? She thought they would fade but they haven’t, and she is very self-conscious.
ATHERE are many treatments that can minimise and even banish acne scars completely, but your daughter needs to see a cosmetic doctor to ensure she gets the right approach for her skin type.
If the scars are indented or cover large areas, dermal fillers or fat transfer can be used to smooth out the skin. However
To give skin the best chance of recovering from the effects of sleep deprivation, use a face mask designed to treat tired skin. Avene Les Essentiels Soothing Radiance
Mask, £13 (escentual. com), will lift and firm the skin.
For an intensive boost, book in for a HydraFacial at a skin clinic. It combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration and antioxidant protection. From £120.
With party season in full swing, it can be easy to overload the skin with make-up and skincare. But using too many products can affect the skin’s pH level, causing redness, irritation and flaking. this treatment, which costs from £200, will have to be repeated every six to nine months to maintain the results. A medical grade chemical peel can transform light scarring. A course of treatments may be needed and you should expect to pay from £250 per session.
Finally, a fractional laser treatment is very effective at tackling scarring but you will need around a week’s recovery time. Two sessions may be required, three months apart. It costs from £2,000, but the results are permanent.
When it comes to skincare, less is more. If you are unsure about what to use, seek professional advice. Let each cream or serum sink in before layering the next one. Exfoliate once or twice a week but avoid harsh, grainy scrubs. Instead, apply a creamy cleanser and gently massage off with a damp flannel.
Great brands for stressed skin include Eucerin, La Roche Posay, Aveeno and SVR Sensifine. Try SVR Sensifine
Masque, £12 (lookfantastic.com), which is designed to soothe skin flare-ups.